Kickstarter campaign for Awesome Con D.C. 2014

Double news about Awesome Con D.C. 2014 (April 19-20): First, organizers are running a Kickstarter funding campaign to help grow the show. Second, legendary comics writer/artist George Perez is a confirmed guest!

George Perez

Rep. John Lewis at SPX 2013

Major guest announcement for Small Press Expo 2013: Civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) will be there promoting his new autobiographic graphic novel March: Book One (Top Shelf Productions), which he co-wrote with Andrew Aydin. Art by Eisner-Award winner Nate Powell.

Barney & Clyde picked up in place of Doonesbury

The news that Gene Weingarten's Barney & Clyde has picked up another paper for the summer is at the end of this article -

Editorial cartoon aimed at specific cases explained
By Andy Howell
Standard-Examiner  06/07/2013
http://www.standard.net/stories/2013/06/07/editorial-cartoon-aimed-specific-cases-explained

PR: Congressman John Lewis wows BookExpo crowds with MARCH: BOOK ONE!

	Congressman John Lewis wows BookExpo crowds with MARCH: BOOK ONE!

BookExpo America, held a week ago in New York, is the American book industry's biggest  trade show -- and also happened to be the first event in our long promotional tour with Congressman John Lewis for his graphic novel with Andrew Aydin & Nate Powell,   March: Book One! And judging from the reaction, we're off to a fantastic start. Rep. Lewis and Andrew Aydin first turned heads with an "early bird" booth appearance on Friday, welcoming a continuous line of fans to get their free 24-page MARCH excerpt booklets signed, before rushing off to the Huffington Post studio for a live interview on HuffPost Live! This feature, hosted by rising star Alicia Menendez, featured insightful questions from both Menendez and viewers at home, as Lewis and Aydin expressed their hope that MARCH could pass on the lessons and tools of the 1960s to young activists fighting for equality today.  Watch it now! Then came the big day: Saturday! It began with perhaps BEA's flagship event, the Author Breakfast, featuring host Chris Matthews together with Helen Fielding (Bridget Jones), Congressman Lewis, and Diana Gabaldon (Outlander).  Rep. Lewis kept the crowd of 1,000  industry pros spellbound, alternating between stories of his rural childhood, memories of the  civil rights movement, and passionate calls to action. After another short video interview, we were off to another stage for the "Road to a Bestseller" panel featuring Rep. Lewis and acclaimed debut novelist Jason Mott (The Returned) -- two generations of African-American authors with huge books this year. At last, we came to the official signing -- this one with a line stretching "down the block"! (P.S. Did we mention a camera crew from Bill Moyers & Company had been following us since breakfast?) After two straight hours (and a few drained markers), it was time to call it a day. Andrew and Rep. Lewis said goodbye to BEA, exhausted but energized... Just in time to see the starred review in Booklist, the official review journal of the American Library Association, calling March "a grand work," and see it featured in the Washington Post's "Summer Reading  List: Eight Books to Make You Smarter"! Thanks to everyone who came out to see us, to the BEA staff for making it happen, and to the March co-authors for their generosity and stamina... See you next time (ALA in Chicago June 29, Comic-Con in San Diego July 20-21, and beyond)! March (Book One), a deluxe softcover graphic novel with french flaps and black & white interiors, 6.5" x 9.5", 128 pages -- ISBN 978-1-60309-300-2 -- $14.95 US -- Release Date: August 13, 2013. For more information and a 14-page preview, visit http://www.topshelfcomix.com/march.

	Your friend thru comics, Chris Staros Top Shelf Productions PO Box 1282 Marietta GA 30061-1282 USA

Cleveland pretends to be DC for Captain America, even though Superman would be more accurate

Why is there a bit of Washington in Cleveland?
By John Kelly,
Washington Post June 8 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/why-is-there-a-bit-of-washington-in-cleveland/2013/06/08/6608a480-ce05-11e2-8845-d970ccb04497_story.html

(Superman was created of course by Cleveland's Siegel and Shuster)

More on Fort Knox in the Post

This notice ran in the paper -

'Fort Knox' fills in for 'Doonesbury' in Post
Washington Post June 9 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/fort-knox-fills-in-for-doonesbury-in-post/2013/06/09/43b6d74a-cd55-11e2-9f1a-1a7cdee20287_story.html

- but what's not noted is that the paper is running the intro strips from 2009. This used to be more common, but these days most papers just jump in with the current storyline.

Catching up with Comic Riffs - Kirkman, Superman and Fort Knox

In his Reuben Award win,'Baby Blues' creator RICK KIRKMAN sees key links to Johnny Hart
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog June 7 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/in-his-reuben-award-winbaby-blues-creator-rick-kirkman-sees-key-links-to-johnny-hart/2013/06/07/0b1de70c-cf26-11e2-9f1a-1a7cdee20287_blog.html#pagebreak

'SUPES' OF THE DAY: Upon 75th anniversary, we ask creators: Why does Superman endure?
By Michael Cavna and David Betancourt
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog June 10 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/supes-of-the-day-upon-75th-anniversary-we-ask-creators-why-does-superman-endure/2013/06/10/a44afc80-d16f-11e2-9f1a-1a7cdee20287_blog.html#pagebreak

POST PICKS UP 'FORT KNOX': Military strip will replace 'Doonesbury Flashbacks' for the summer
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog June 9 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/post-picks-up-fort-knox-military-strip-will-replace-doonesbury-flashbacks-for-the-summer/2013/06/09/9b1cdcc6-d167-11e2-9f1a-1a7cdee20287_blog.html#pagebreak

Fort Knox coming to Washington Post

Paul Boscacci notes, on Facebook, "After almost four years in syndication, Fort Knox will appear in THE Washington Post. Happy days."

June 12: Martha Kennedy on Charles Dana Gibson

On June 12, Martha Kennedy of the Library of Congress' Prints and Photos division and  Margaret Wagner (of LoC Publishing Office) giving a gallery talk on Charles Dana Gibson and WWI at noon in the Graphic Arts Gallery in the Jefferson Building. Martha is the curator of the neat Gibson exhibit on view now.

Another March interview (Rep. Lewis' graphic novel, not the month)

 The Long Road To Change: An Interview With The Creators Of March
By Mark Banaszak
Diamond BookShelf e-Newsletter June 2013
http://www.diamondbookshelf.com/Home/1/1/20/835?articleID=134908

Another Glen Weldon interview on Superman

Glen Weldon knows what makes Superman soar
by Michael May | June 6, 2013
http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/06/glen-weldon-knows-what-makes-superman-soar/

Marvel vs. DC: The Art of Superheroes

Marvel Vs. DC: The Art of the Superheroes--"The show will feature animation cels as well as artwork by Jim Lee, Bruce Timm, Randy Martinez, Glen Orbik, and more. Some pieces are signed by Stan Lee, and that is pretty neat. Also, we have never-before-seen works from Alex Ross--including an exclusive pre-release Batman painting."

Runs June 7-July 7 at Artinsights Animation & Film Art Gallery in Reston, Va.

 

 

Pop Culture Happy Hour: Funny Moms And Funny Pages

Pop Culture Happy Hour: Funny Moms And Funny Pages

by Linda Holmes

June 7, 2013

http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2013/06/07/189511883/pop-culture-happy-hour-funny-moms-and-funny-pages

 

"We then turn to the part of comics we've focused on less over the show's history: comic strips. We talk about Peanuts, The Far Side, Calvin & Hobbes, Doonesbury, Foxtrot, Cathy, Zippy, Ziggy, Boondocks ... well, the list really does go on and on. We talk about this one, and this one, and Stephen mentions a stunner from the days after September 11, 2001, which you can see here."

Comic Book Legal Defense Fund notes Post's Barney & Clyde inaction

The Washington Post Forbids Fake F-word in Funnies

 June 4, 2013

By Maren Williams

http://cbldf.org/2013/06/washington-post-forbids-fake-f-word-in-funnies/

Nail gun safety comic

Friend of ComicsDC Nick Thorkelson has done the art for a government safety comic. Here's Nick:

Friends & colleagues:

My nail gun safety comic just went online. You can take a look by downloading a PDF from either of the links below or, if you wait a while, by ordering the print version from CDC/NIOSH. Many thanks to Jim Albers of NIOSH who put this together, and who was very patient with me in the course of a long and complex development process. 

English
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2013-149

Spanish
http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/niosh/docs/2013-149_sp/

Nick Thorkelson

Graphic Design & Cartoons

15 Channel Center Street, #218

Boston, MA 02210

nthork@nickthorkelson.com

www.nickthorkelson.com

RM Rhodes on Brussels for the Hooded Utilitarian

Comics Tourism: Destination Brussels
by RM Rhodes
June 4, 2013
http://hoodedutilitarian.com/2013/06/comics-tourism-destination-brussels/

Comic Riffs has a Green Lantern interview

The Ring Cycle: GEOFF JOHNS on ending his high-powered partnership with the Green Lantern after a decade
By David Betancourt
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog June 5 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/the-ring-cycle-geoff-johns-on-ending-his-high-powered-partnership-with-the-green-lantern-after-a-decade/2013/06/05/a8521dec-ccc7-11e2-9f1a-1a7cdee20287_blog.html#pagebreak

Comic Riffs on this year's editorial cartoon convention

AAEC Convention 2013: As deadlines near, the public, too, can appreciate many of these offerings

By Michael Cavna

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog June 5 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/aaec-convention-2013-as-deadlines-near-the-public-too-can-appreciate-many-of-these-offerings/2013/06/05/532751dc-ce4a-11e2-9f1a-1a7cdee20287_blog.html

 

Bazooka Joe book noted in The Post

Bazooka Joe turns 60
By Ron Charles,
Washington Post Style blog June 5, 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2013/06/05/bazooka-joe-turns-60/

Meet a Local Comics Writer: Shawn Padraic Murphy

I met Shawn Padraic Murphy at Awesome Con this spring. He writes comic book scripts and hires artists to illustrate them. As a college student also did a webcomic, Wesleyan World. He's currently writing a series of blog posts How Not To Make Money In Comic Books. He promptly answered my usual questions (and as usual I'm much less prompt in posting them).

Mike Rhode: What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

Shawn Padraic Murphy: I am a writer, and work with artists to make my comic books.

Mike Rhode: How do you do it?  How did you find an artist for your books? What kind of script do you provide?

Shawn Padraic Murphy: When I first started, it was a chance meeting with a grad school friend who was already working on a comic book for a friend and was interested in doing another one, and we worked together on a script I had already written.  But to start working on more comics, I was sort of at a lose (espcially since I graduated and had just moved to the Baltimore/DC area 1 year prior).  I met someone who told me about DigitalWebbing.Com and how they had a forum just for writers that were trying to hire artists.  I sumbitted a description of 3 different titles I needed work on, and placed the ad up for 3 days (what was recommended).  Then, after 3 days, I closed the forum and looked over the 120 submissions I had.  That took a while sifting through them all to find a style that matched the story I wanted to tell.  Since then, however, I've hired my artists throug the con scene by hoarding business cards and entering their name and website into a database so I can look for artists that match the type of storying I'm trying to tell quickly when I have a new project.

I've always used a script that breaks down the panels and describes in detail what's happening in each scene and panel.  In only one comic (Strength) have I ever just summed up what was happening on the page without panels and left the panel layout and number of panels to the artist, but I think that kind of format is rare.

Mike Rhode: When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?

Shawn Padraic Murphy: I was raised in Scott Depot, WV in 1982.

Mike Rhode: Why are you in Washington now?  What neighborhood or area do you live in?

Shawn Padraic Murphy: After I obtained my MFA in Creative Writing, I needed to move from Southampton, NY, as there was nothing there you could do in terms of jobs unless you were a contruction worker, retail, or had money to buy mansions.  Luckily, I happen to have a friend in Baltimore that needed a roommate soon, and Baltimore and DC were close enough that it seemed it would be easier to find a job with 2 different cities close by (this was 2007, by the way; less than a year before the recession, and before MFA's now meant basically nothing).

Mike Rhode: What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

Shawn Padraic Murphy: I had an undergrad degree in English & Psychology at West Virginia Weslyan College at Buckhannon, WV, then went to Southampton College (now closed) in Southampton, NY and got an MFA in Creative Writing, which I thought would help get me writing or editing jobs for magazines or corporations.  Unfortunately, the recession hit less than a year after I graduated and business started not to care about writing as a whole and I couldn't find anything, despite having an MFA.  Luckily, I did find a job eventually (not writing related), so I could actually have funds to pay artists to draw for my comics.

Mike Rhode: What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?

Shawn Padraic Murphy: I've attended many conventions now, such as Small Press Expo, Baltimore Comic Con, SPACE, HeroesCon, and AwesomeCon.  I'll be attending Intervention for the first time this year (and hopefully Otakon; I'm going to be attending more Anime conventions next year).  I find that anime and indi comic places are good to sell comics and meet with other artists and writers, but found that the big superhero cons like Baltimore Comic Con usually only contain people who want to meet celebrities or buy fan art, so I don't try to go to those often.

Mike Rhode: Who are your influences?

Shawn Padraic Murphy: I got into comics with The Death of Superman, but stayed around because of the Spider-Man Clone Saga.  I really liked serialized storytelling then.  As I grew up, though, I found out about a lot more mature and serious works and realized you could do more than just superheroes.  I really enjoyed the indi comics I discovered in the early 2000s that covered virtually every subject they wanted (you couldn't find those in WV when I was growing up; there was no internet info about them, and all the comic stores closed in 1996, leaving mail-order the only way to read comics).  When I write my comics, I try to ask myself for each project if this is different than something else I've read or seen, because I want to create something new and exciting for people to experience the way I enjoyed discovering different types of stories as a kid.

What work are you best-known for?

Shawn Padraic Murphy: At conventions, the comic book I am most known for is "The End" a series that focuses on how regular people deal with the coming end of the world in 7 days.  Each issue has 2, stand-alone, stories.  People enjoy the series for the variety of the stories.  Plus, each issue has a different theme, so people can start with a theme they like on any issue, rather than starting from the begining like in most other comics.

Mike Rhode: What work are you most proud of?

Shawn Padraic Murphy: I'm actually proud of them all, because I like the fact that I can write such completely different stories and be able to show that I can write anything (I hope that's not just my ego talking).  I have a slice-of-life anthology (The End), a mature superhero story that addresses our societies double-standard concering nudity and shaming (Strength), an experimental diary comic (Displacement), and an all-age fantasy (Mechanaflux). 

Mike Rhode: What would you like to do or work on in the future?

Shawn Padraic Murphy: I already have the next 3 comics planned that I want to work on.  I'm working on a superhero/romance comic right now with an artist.  I've written another all-ages comic and a completely different fantasy comic, but those last two are only finished at the script stage as I'm trying to finish up the comics I am already currently working on.

Mike Rhode: What do you think will be the future of your field?

Shawn Padraic Murphy: I'm not sure.  I know that local printers and easy access to technology have made it easier to make my comics in print.  I'm hoping digital comics makes it easier to get your comics out to the public since everyone is connected throug the pad and phones now.

Mike Rhode: Do you have a website or blog?

Shawn Padraic Murphy: My website is http://www.shawnpmurphy.com/.  My "Comics" tab contains links to descriptions of my comics and preview art, as well as links to purchase my comics. I also have some video reviews, comedy skits, video game reviews, and recently I posted a short novella about playing a video game as if I was that character; I pretty much like to write and create anything.

June 11: Visualizing Peace: Graphic Art & Social Change

Visualizing Peace: Graphic Art & Social Change Tuesday, June 11th from 9:30am to 11:30am Kenney Auditorium Johns Hopkins University SAIS 1740 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington D.C. 20036

Visually captivating, accessible to a wide audience, and inexpensive to produce and distribute, graphic art holds its own in the age of digital media and social networking. The event will bring together artists, activists and conflict resolution practitioners to explore the creativity with which graphic art and comic books have been used for social change around the world, and to generate ideas for expanding the potential of bridging the two fields. Join the event to: Discover a unique peacebuilding resource Preview new comic books and graphic novels related to social change Meet artists and panelists before and after the event Take home samples of new and classic works of graphic art relevant to social change JOIN US! Register to attend the CPRF on Tuesday, June 11th from 9:30 to 11:30am.

Andrew Aydin: co-author with Congressman John Lewis of March, a graphic novel trilogy depicting Lewis’ lifelong struggle for civil and human rights in America Nate Powell: Illustrator of March and creator of the acclaimed graphic novel Any Empire, a vivid examination of war and violence, and their trickle-down effects on Middle America Dalia Ziada (via Skype): Activist, blogger, and award-winning women’s rights advocate; translator of The Montgomery Story, the 1956 comic book about Martin Luther King Jr. and nonviolent protest Moderator: Jeanné Isler, Director of USA Programs, Search for Common Ground

In addition to support from CPRF principals, this event is made possible by a generous contribution from Fantom Comics and Comic Book Artists on Demand.

Some recent stories by Brian Truitt

Apparently USA Today has decided that Brian Truitt should do a LOT of comic book stories...  here's some recent ones.

Kiehl's, Marvel team for exclusive Captain America comic: The historic New York City store is the backdrop for a free one-shot for customers.
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY   June 3, 2013
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/06/03/kiehls-marvel-comics-captain-america/2383475/

Robots, monsters 'all awesome' for 'Pacific Rim' writer: Travis Beacham's new prequel graphic novel sets up Guillermo del Toro's summer monster mash.
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY June 4, 2013
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/06/04/pacific-rim-movie-graphic-novel-prequel/2388785/

'Forever Evil' spotlights epitome of supervillainy: DC Comics universe-wide event series brings bad guys to the fore in September 'villains month.'
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY June 3, 2013
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/06/03/forever-evil-dc-comics-series/2381849/

Mark Waid brings old Daredevil villain back in a new way: An old enemy of the blind superhero returns from the supposedly dead in Mark Waid's series.
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY  May 22, 2013
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/05/22/daredevil-comic-book-villain-return/2349827/

Animated Avengers 'Assemble' on Disney XD this weekend: New superhero series debuts with a one-hour special on Sunday morning.
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY  May 23, 2013
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/05/23/marvels-avengers-assemble-exclusive-clip/2355389/

Busiek takes fans on another trip through 'Astro City': This Wednesday brings the first new issue in three years of the series featuring a town full of superpowered people and ordinary folks.
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY June 3, 2013
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/06/03/kurt-busiek-astro-city-comic-book-series/2383501/

Superman gets a new DC Comics logo for 75th anniversary: The Man of Steel is the man of the hour for a whole year of celebratory projects and initiatives.
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY May 30, 2013
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/05/30/superman-75th-anniversary-logo/2371473/

June 8: Carl Yonder at Beyond Comics in Gaithersburg

In Store Signing!

Carl Yonder

Saturday, June 8th 

 2pm to 7pm

will be signing in the Gaithersburg store in support of the new

  

PIRATE EYE: A PIRATE'S LIFE IS NOT FOR ME ONE-SHOT
 

More Information!  

Politics and Prose's Growing Up with Graphics panel

 The Growing Up With Graphics Graphic Novel panel took place at Politics & Prose on Thursday, April 25, 2013.
http://www.politics-prose.com/video/growing-graphics-graphic-novel-panel


Prominent and award-winning graphic artists, authors, and editors Eleanor Davis, Nathan Hale, Andrés Vera Martínez, and Mark Siegel, will be here to discuss the significance of the genre for readers of all ages. Moderated by Michael Cavna, author of "Comic Riffs," a blog of The Washington Post.

Rep. Lewis' The March graphic novel noted in Examiner

The Examiner has gone web-only, but yesterday they noted Rep. Lewis' The March graphic novel talk in New York City.

Staake does Gorey

The current Washington Post Style Invitational contest has Bob Staake drawing in Edward Gorey's style.

The Post on Iranian cartoons

Striking back, even from half a world away
By Tara Bahrampour,
Washington Post June 2 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/striking-back-even-from-half-a-world-away/2013/06/01/5d3dc182-ca27-11e2-8da7-d274bc611a47_story.html

Political Cartoons book review mentions local cartoonists

'The Art of Controversy,' by Victor S. Navasky is reviewed in today's Times and mentions Matt Wuerker and Herblock.

Political Cartoons
By DEBORAH SOLOMON
New York Times Book Review June 2, 2013, on page BR22 
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/02/books/review/the-art-of-controversy-by-victor-s-navasky.html

June 1: Brandon Peterson at Cards, Comics and Collectibles NOW

David Hagen's latest idea

I was at the Civitan flea market in Arlington today, and David Hagen had a booth... but the booth didn't have David. A co-worker was selling his prints and something new - flea market paintings where David has painted in his stylized monsters and flying saucers.

June 1: Aspen Comics creators Krul and Hernandez at Game! On Comics in Vienna

Exclusive Signing Event tomorrow! Saturday, from 12-4pm

Do not miss this rare opportunity to meet some great comic writers/creators!   THIS SATURDAY! June 1st, 2013   From 12-4pm Join us as we welcome writers/creators of Charismagic and Jirni! J.T. Krul, writer of Jirni, Soulfire, Fathom, Teen Titans, Green Arrow  Vince Hernandez, writer of Charismagic, Executive Assistants You will not want to miss this day!  Bring out your comics and have them signed by these writers.  We will have some in stock for purchase also.  The first issues of Jirni and Charismagic are only $1!  Not only that but we have an exclusive Game On! Comics cover from each writer!         Comes with our famous awesome environment for playing Heroclix! www.GameOnComics.com  310 Dominion RD NE, Vienna, VA 22180

More on Trudeau's new tv show in The Post

Amazon greenlights Trudeau political satire 'Alpha House' into full TV series [in print as 'A new 'House' in the queue: Amazon greenlights Trudeau political comedy]

By Emily Yahr,

Washington Post May 30 2012

http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/amazon-greenlights-trudeau-political-satire-alpha-house-into-full-tv-series/2013/05/29/80c204e8-c2f6-11e2-914f-a7aba60512a7_story.html

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Jack Dorsey

by Mike Rhode on May. 31, 2013

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/visual-arts/2013/05/31/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-jack-dorsey/

Last weekend for Big Nate musical

Final Weekend Saturday at 11am (limited tickets), 2pm & 4:30pm Sunday at 11am & 2pm

EVEN MORE LOVE from Parents and kids alike: "The peals of laughter erupting from my grandson tell the whole story! He loved it." "FABULOUS!!! A wonderful show and the cast was AMAZING!" "Brought my two kids (son, 11 and daughter, 8). My son giggled nonstop, start to finish. He loves Big Nate. My daughter sat mesmorized." "He couldn't get the "Big Nate" out of his head all weekend!" "My son loves the book series and was thrilled with the show." "He loved seeing one of his favorite book series come to life in front of him. He performs in your summer program so loves watching the pros for inspiration."

Cartoonist Rights Network profiled

Art to Die For: Cartoonists at Risk and Their Defenders; An interview with Robert Russell, founder of Cartoonists Rights Network International.
by Olivia Stransky    /  May 15, 2013
http://www.sampsoniaway.org/interviews/2013/05/15/art-to-die-for-cartoonists-at-risk-and-their-defenders/

It's based in Northern Virginia...

Weldon on Superman and pre-Christian Beatlemania

This is a fun one...

 

My Favorite Superman Story: When Jimmy Olsen Created Beatlemania

 by Glen Weldon

 National Public Radio's Monkey See blog May 30, 2013

http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2013/05/30/187276981/my-favorite-superman-story-when-jimmy-olsen-created-beatlemania

Former Washington Redskin has Kickstarter comic book campaign

Ken Harvey has a Kickstarter to make a comic book about FloatBall

 By Dan Steinberg,

Washington Post's DC Sports Blog May 28, 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/wp/2013/05/28/ken-harvey-has-a-kickstarter-to-make-a-comic-book-about-floatball/

Doonesbury on vacation, Brian Crane happy, according to Comic Riffs

THIS JUST IN: 'Doonesbury' to go on sabbatical as Amazon Studios officially picks up Trudeau's Capitol Hill comedy, 'Alpha House'
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 29 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/this-just-in-doonesbury-to-go-on-sabbatical-as-amazon-studios-officially-picks-up-trudeaus-capitol-hill-comedy-alpha-house/2013/05/29/3aba59ee-c866-11e2-9245-773c0123c027_blog.html#pagebreak

'PICKLES' ' BIG WIN: Creator Brian Crane reflects on inspiration, affirmation — and almost letting his dream die in his desk
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 28 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/pickles--big-win-creator-brian-crane-reflects-on-inspiration-affirmation--and-almost-letting-his-dream-die-in-his-desk/2013/05/28/94c766b8-c80f-11e2-9f1a-1a7cdee20287_blog.html#pagebreak

Library of Congress Magazine features Gibson Girls

The new Library of Congress Magazine (Vol. 2 No. 3: May-June 2013) features the Gibson Girls and other cartoons by Charles Dana Gibson in an article by the Library's Martha Kennedy. It's downloadable here.

 

The "Gibson Girl" set the archetype for young women at the start of the last century and was the epitome of illustration style for two decades. Also, the struggles for women's suffrage, celebrating Danny Kaye and Sylvia Fine and the high-tech cloning of a Stradivari violin.

The Post supresses Barney & Clyde

Alan Gardner caught that The Post wouldn't run their own columnist's comic strip this past Monday. Gene Weingarten's response can be seen here.

'Star Trek Problems' strip

D.C.-area cartoonist Chris Piers is having fun with some head-scratchers in the Star Trek franchise through his online comic strip "Star Trek Problems."

The Post reviews 'Big Nate,' interviews 'Epic' voice actor and a child animation blogger

'Big Nate' travels outside comic strip borders in affable Adventure Theatre musical
By Celia Wren, Sunday, May 26, 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/big-nate-travels-outside-comic-strip-borders-in-affable-adventure-theatre-musical/2013/05/26/f7ea3cde-c62f-11e2-9245-773c0123c027_story.html

Pitbull on music, Jennifer Lopez and 'Epic' [in print as A rapper's 'Epic' performance']
By Zorianna Kit / Reuters,
Washington Post  May 26 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/pitbull-on-music-jennifer-lopez-and-epic/2013/05/23/bc108dbc-c314-11e2-914f-a7aba60512a7_story.html

7-year-old turns his love of film into a blog [in print as 'A mind for movies: McLean 7-year-old writes a blog to share love of the big screen].
 Moira E. McLaughlin,
Washington Post  May 26 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/boy-turns-his-love-of-film-into-a-movie-review-blog/2013/05/23/897d899c-c173-11e2-bfdb-3886a561c1ff_story.html

That darn Clay Bennett

Letter to the Editor: Three blows with one swing
Katalin H. Korossy, Kensington
Washington Post May 25 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/three-hits-with-one-shot/2013/05/24/5902b0b6-bf03-11e2-b537-ab47f0325f7c_story.html

Cartoons and pencil sharpeners

I met Bob Cantor at a party yesterday. Bob collects toy pencil sharpeners and then paints them as subjects of oil paintings. Of relevance to us here is his subcollection of cartoon pencil sharpeners.

June 7: Krissy Downing's new exhibit

Krissy Downing, a member of the local comics collaborative the D.C. Conspiracy, will have her new paintings exhibited the The Dunes art gallery in Washington, D.C. It's opening is June 7 at 7 p.m. Here's a brief description of the show: "PARADIGM: An Evolution Imagined" was born from a loose, gestural session of sketching and then analyzed and honed through a series of tighter and tighter drawings until the narrative revealed itself. The resulting collection of paintings represents the artist’s personal theories related to the future of our world (as it might evolve beyond humanity) and the metamorphoses of life and design as the universe matures."

Fantastic Forum Interview with comics writer Justin Jordan

DC's comics videographer Ulysses Campbell sends in:

I just got this JUSTIN JORDAN interview up.  He is the talented writer of Image Comics' LEGEND OF LUTHER STRODE and Valiant Comics' SHADOWMAN.  Please check it out and feel free to post it in your blog!

Fantastic Forum Interview with Justin Jordan               http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca6lmwn5s48

Ulysses E. Campbell

Executive Producer

The Comic, Science Fiction & Fantasy fan's FANTASTIC FORUM

DCTV

901 Newton Street, NE

Washington, DC  20017

(202) 213-6622

www.fantasticforum.tv

June 13: Minicomicker Rachel Scheer at One More Page Books

Thurs, June 13 at 7 pm: Local writer and collector Rachel Scheer leads a dynamic discussion about the autobiographical comics genre. Guests are invited to participate in a question-and-answer session and a brief drawing and writing activity.

 

One More Page Books is in Arlington, on the edge of Falls Church.

The Post reviews Epic cartoon

'Epic' movie review
By Michael O'Sullivan,
Washington Post May 24 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/epic-movie-review/2013/05/22/7c620b86-c176-11e2-bfdb-3886a561c1ff_story.html

'Kidd Cobbler' online comic

Local comics writer Kevin Panetta (who also manages Big Planet Comics in Vienna, Va., and is one of the organizers of the Small Press Expo) this week launched "Kidd Cobbler," an online comic with artist Coleman Engle. "Kidd Cobbler is a children's adventure comic inspired by retro video games," Panetta says. "It stars Kidd Cobbler and his hapless 'hero' of a brother."