PR: Critics agree: MARCH is outstanding! Now get a signed copy at Comic-Con!

A book in which 2 out of 3 of the authors are Washingtonians.

Critics agree: MARCH is outstanding! Now get a signed copy at Comic-Con! Critics agree: MARCH is outstanding! Now that we're a month away from the official release date, major reviews are starting to come in. As you may or may not know, all the top book-industry review journals issue "starred reviews" for titles they consider outstanding in their field. One starred review is lovely… more than one, and you've got something really special on your hands. So, how does MARCH stack up? See for yourself: "Dazzling... a grand work." — Booklist (starred review) "A powerful tale of courage and principle igniting sweeping social change, told by a strong-minded, uniquely qualified eyewitness... the heroism of those who sat and marched... comes through with vivid, inspiring clarity." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Lewis's remarkable life has been skillfully translated into graphics... Segregation's insult to personhood comes across here with a visual, visceral punch. This version of Lewis's life story belongs in libraries to teach readers about the heroes of America." — Library Journal (starred review) That's right, we're three for three so far! But now it's time for the verdict from those who really matter -- YOU, the readers. Which leads to our next item… MARCH comes to Comic-Con! Comic-Con International in San Diego is the biggest show in America -- so when Congressman Lewis said he wanted to come, we moved heaven & earth to get the book ready in time. As a result, we're very pleased to confirm the special debut of MARCH: BOOK ONE at Comic-Con next week, along with all three creators: Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell. Come by the Top Shelf booth (#1721), meet a true American icon, and be the first to scoop up a signed copy of this piece of history! What's more, we'll also have copies of a limited HARDCOVER edition, as well as a limited SIGNED & NUMBERED HARDCOVER edition of MARCH: BOOK ONE, available exclusively from Top Shelf. PLUS: don't miss the MARCH team's feature presentation, Saturday morning at 10AM in room 23, as they share the story of MARCH and how it came to be! America's libraries go wild for MARCH! Finally, we have to share some memories of the MARCH team's triumphant visit to the American Library Association's annual conference. It was as huge a success as the BookExpo, with librarians scooping up our March Teacher's Guide, packing the auditorium for a feature presentation by Congressman Lewis and the boys, and standing in long lines for a chance to meet the authors and get a signed preview booklet. Andrew spoke about the history of comics in the civil rights movement, Nate walked audiences through his creative process, and they all signed until their hands just about fell off! The result? A lot of empty boxes! We can't wait to share this magnificent graphic novel with you, and bring Congressman Lewis' incredible story to life for a new generation. 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. Released worldwide: August 13, 2013. Special debut with Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell at Comic-Con. For more information and a 14-page preview, visit http://www.topshelfcomix.com/march. See y'all at Comic-Con! Your friend thru comics, Chris Staros Top Shelf Productions PO Box 1282 Marietta GA 30061-1282 USA chris@topshelfcomix.com www.topshelfcomix.com

New book features chapter by Phillip Troutman

"Indisciplinary" Teaching: Comics Studies and Research Writing Pedagogy by Phillip Troutman, an assistant professor of writing at George Washington University is a chapter in this new book. Click on the link to order it, or see the whole table of contents.

Graphic Novels and Comics in the Classroom

Essays on the Educational Power of Sequential Art

Edited by Carrye Kay Syma and Robert G. Weiner

Foreword by Robert V. Smith; Afterword by Mel Gibson

Print ISBN: 978-0-7864-5913-1

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-4766-0197-7

49 photos, notes, bibliographies, index

296pp. softcover (7 x 10) 2013

About the Book

Sequential art combines the visual and the narrative in a way that readers have to interpret the images with the writing. Comics make a good fit with education because students are using a format that provides active engagement. This collection of essays is a wide-ranging look at current practices using comics and graphic novels in educational settings, from elementary schools through college. The contributors cover history, gender, the use of specific graphic novels, practical application and educational theory.

Gordon Harris' The Dust Elves are coming!

 

July 12, 2013 The Dust Elves are coming soon! An all-new mini comic is coming from the creator of PEDESTRIAN. The first in a series of four mini-comics called, THE SECRET ORIGIN OF THE DUST ELVES will premiere this fall. An all-new 36-page, original, color mini-comic for everyone ages 8 and up, written and illustrated by Gordon Harris. Now's the time to let Gordon know if there's a different email address you'd rather receive this valuable information at. Updates will be posted on the Dust Elves Facebook page as well. (NEXT WEEK: Vote for your favorite cover)   Copyright © 2013 Gordon Harris, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: gordon@dustelves.com

Retrofit Comics arrives at Big Planet Comics stores

From Big Planet Comics' Facebook page:

 

Our first co-published comic with the esteemed Retrofit Comics has arrived in Vienna today! We will have copies at all our stores by next week. Beach Girls is by Box Brown with a back up story by James Kochalka!

Truitt on comics (continued)

Sunday Geekersation: Monkeybrain duo on digital comics; One year in, Chris Roberson and Allison Baker have found a fan base, award nominations and a new way to do business.

Brian Truitt, USA TODAY July 7, 2013

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/07/07/sunday-conversation-monkeybrain-comics-founders/2496187/

 

Doomsday prepping goes wrong in 'Sheltered' series; The kids are not alright in a survivalist community in new Image Comics book.

Brian Truitt, USA TODAY July 9, 2013

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/07/09/sheltered-comic-book-series/2503345/

 

Pandora's myth grows in new 'Trinity of Sin' series; Book will explore her 10,000-year history and tie into upcoming "Trinity War" crossover in "Justice League" titles.

Brian Truitt, USA TODAY  July 1, 2013

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/07/01/trinity-of-sin-pandora-comic-book-series/2478503/

 

'Trinity War' finds Justice League fractured and at odds; New issue kicks off six-chapter story line full of secret agendas, betrayal and supervillains.

Brian Truitt, USA TODAY  July 8, 2013

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/07/08/justice-league-comic-book-series/2497741/

 

'Ghosted' features a haunted heist for Joshua Williamson; A criminal mastermind is busted out of prison to steal a spectre in new Image Comics series.

Brian Truitt, USA TODAY  July 10, 2013

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/07/10/ghosted-comic-book-series/2504629/

 

Einstein, heady subjects at heart of Seagle's 'Genius'; Graphic novelist pens a story of a brilliant man in search of a life-changing big idea.

Brian Truitt, USA TODAY July 9, 2013

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/07/09/steven-t-seagle-genius-graphic-novel/2501111/

 

Two-Face lawyers up in 'Legends of the Dark Knight'; The scarred supervillain has a long history with Batman and his alter ego.

Brian Truitt, USA TODAY July 3, 2013

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/07/03/two-face-legends-of-the-dark-knight-digital-comic/2487725/

 

'Beneath' comic showcases the movie's Black Lake monster; Tie-in delves into the mysteries of director Larry Fessenden's underwater creature.

Brian Truitt, USA TODAY July 7, 2013

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/07/07/beneath-horror-movie-comic-book/2496163/

 

 

July 16 - Sept 1: cARToons show opens at Politics and Prose

Theresa Roberts Logan writes about the upcoming cARToons show:

 

Opening reception at POLITICS & PROSE on Saturday, July 20th, 7-9 pm. We have comics artists, animators, illustrators, syndicated cartoonists, Pulitzer Prize winners (at least one), Reuben nominees, and all sorts of comic goodness going on.  Our beautiful cARToons show!! Opening reception at POLITICS & PROSE on Saturday, July 20th, 7-9 pm. We have comics artists, animators, illustrators, syndicated cartoonists, Pulitzer Prize winners (at least one), Reuben nominees, and all sorts of comic goodness going on. So proud of these cartoonists! Thanks, Michael Auger for the beautiful postcard design! Thanks also to DC Conspiracy and the DC Chapter of the National Cartoonists Society. Artwork in the show is by Michael Auger, Matt Wuerker, Rafer Roberts, Michael Brace, Essa Neima, Daniel Venne, Steven G. Artley, Bud Grace, David Hagen, Juana Medicina, Joe Sutliff, Barbara Dale, Matt Dembicki, Donna Lewis, Theresa Roberts Logan, John Kovaleski, Michael Cavna and Carolyn Belefski.

The Post on Parker and Stone's Book of Mormon

It's the South Park guys...

'Book of Mormon' creators discuss the musical
By Nelson Pressley,
Washington Post July 5 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater_dance/book-of-mormon-creators-discuss-the-musical/2013/07/03/8bb84d6c-e259-11e2-8657-fdff0c195a79_story.html

ROM remake

The Ginger Rabbit Studio blog is putting together an homage/remake of ROM Spaceknight #1 (Marvel Comics, 1979). Local cartoonist Rafer Roberts has done a page. I believe the entire remade issue will be posted when it is completed.

Courtesy of Rafer Roberts

Screenprinting exhibit July 13

Young Masters Without Voices: New Voices in Screenprinting highlights the work of five D.C. artists: Tang, Fawna Xiao, John Deardourff, Mel Oppenheim and Shanice Kirby. According to Open Studio DC, which is hosting the event July 13 from 6-8 p.m., the show is a “celebration of youth and natural ingenuity, and an exploration of creative intuition. Each of these artists utilizes screenprinting in modern and unique ways, either through unusual media combinations, aesthetics or processes.”

Screenprint titled "Shazam!" by John Deardourff (Courtesy of Deardourff)

Awesome Con Kickstarter success!

Awesome Con D.C. has succeeded in its Kickstarter campaign, so expect a larger show for 2014! As time for the crowdsourcing campaign expired today, the convention raise $56,248, surpassing its goal of $50,000. 

David Hagen paintings available at Civitans flea market

David Hagen's paintings were available today at the Civitans flea market in the parking deck over Route 66 at the Washington-Lee High School. I stopped by and most of them had sold out.

Game On! Comics 4th of July sale

Fourth of July SALE!! 

Come in this Thursday from 11am to 8pm for our 4th of July Sale!

25%-50% OFF Almost Everything in the Store!

50% OFF all Back Issues

25% OFF all Games*

25% OFF all Heroclix 

25% OFF all Action Figures

25% OFF all Graphic Novels

Additional 25% OFF Sale items!

*excludes Magic the Gathering

Fantom Comics 4th of July sale

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY! Just a quick reminder about our Fourth of July Sale... All graphic novels are 20% off! That graphic novel you've been eyeing for the longest? Yes, it's 20% off today! All t-shirts are 20 off% and with new t-shirt stock coming in just yesterday. And look! Uncle Sam is rolling up his sleeves and coming on down to Fantom Comics because he wants to read up on his buddy, Captain America because are Captain America graphic novels are 25% off! Store hours today are from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Big Planet 4th of July sale

...starts in a few hours.

Comic Riffs talks to Cullen Bunn

'THE SIXTH GUN': Cullen Bunn on the art of weaving the supernatural Western
By David Betancourt
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog July 3 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/the-sixth-gun-cullen-bunn-on-the-art-of-weaving-the-supernatural-western/2013/07/03/3b0695ac-e373-11e2-80eb-3145e2994a55_blog.html#pagebreak

Art Hondros' Song of Sandy Hook part 8 - the end

Thanks to Art Hondros choosing ComicsDC to serialize his story.

Get published in a zine

The D.C. Zinefest is accepting submissions for a zine from folks who have never been published, including cartoonists. The deadline is July 8; the theme: D.C. Click here for more info.
 

Wash Post on Primates, Despicable Me 2, and The Lone Ranger

Jim Ottaviani's 'Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas'

By  Abby McGanney Nolan,

Washington Post July 3 2013 http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/jim-ottavianis-primates-the-fearless-science-of-jane-goodall-dian-fossey-and-birute-galdikas/2013/07/02/7465c776-da1a-11e2-a9f2-42ee3912ae0e_story.html  

 

'The Lone Ranger': Johnny Depp is a cool Tonto, but the movie drags

By Ann Hornaday,

Washington Post July 3 2013 http://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/the-lone-ranger-johnny-depp-is-a-cool-tonto-but-the-movie-drags/2013/07/02/84ddd058-e31b-11e2-aef3-339619eab080_story.html

 

Movie review: 'Despicable Me 2'

By Stephanie Merry,

Washington Post July 3, 2013 http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/movie-review-despicable-me-2/2013/07/02/4d67d33a-e311-11e2-aef3-339619eab080_story.html

PR: Awesome Con Kickstarter campaign update

Friend on Facebook Follow on Twitter Forward to a Friend Important Info: April 19-20, 2014 Saturday 10-7 Sunday 10-5 Washington Convention Center Washington, DC 20001 Mt. Vernon Square Metro station (Green/Yellow lines) Text/call (240)346-0399 for more info Only 4 more days! Read this, it's important!  The Kickstarter Campaign is almost over, and we only need about $6,000 more! We added a few more bonuses for all backers, as well a few more reward tiers. If you decide you want one of the new rewards, you still have time to change your reward tier. On top of that, if you want to add one of our existing exclusive comics (Regular Show #1, Fionna & Cake #1, Adventure Time #15, TMNT #1) to your reward, just add $15 per comic and send us a note about which one you want.  Here's the big news: As long as the campaign is funded, we're going to add a PREVIEW NIGHTto Awesome Con on Friday, April 18. All backers of at least the $25 reward will get access to Preview Night at no extra cost!! We've also added a cool reward tier that features some original art! For Awesome Con 2013, we had an exclusive variant cover of Regular Show #1. On the back of this comic book is a blank page for artwork. Well, we had a number of artists do some, and more artists have volunteered to do some, so everyone who pledges at this level gets the Regular Show #1 with ORIGINAL ARTWORK, along with everything in the SUPERHERO ASSIST + T-SHIRT tier. What we'll do is give everyone a choice of which artist they want, starting with the first backer at this reward level. Here's a list of artists we will have artwork from: Robert Ullman, Matt Slay, Jerry "Franchize" Gaylord, Pennie Gaylord, Bryan Turner, Mark Mariano, Dan Nokes, Drew Blank, Louie LaDalombara from Geek Boy Press, Keir Lyles, John "Waki" Wycough, Chris Flick, Scott Markley, Dawn Griffin, Bryan G. Brown, and MORE! If you've already signed up for a reward and you don't want to change it, you can add $50 to your reward tier and get a Regular Show #1 with ORIGINAL ARTWORK on it!! Just make sure you send us a note to let us know that's what you want.    The other big thing we're doing for all of our backers, we will send out the link to our room block at the Renaissance Hotel to backers at least one week before we publish the link on our website. Our rate is $139 + tax, that's the best rate I've ever seen at that hotel. Maybe they're trying to build a relationship with us because there's a new hotel opening up next year next to the Convention Center. I don't know, but $139 per night at a downtown DC four-star hotel is amazing, and it's within walking distance to the con (it's just across the square). I know it's not a huge perk, but if you're planning to travel to the con it can save you a few hundred dollars.    These two added benefits will ONLY happen if the Kickstarter campaign is funded. The con will still happen if we aren't funded, but we may have to scale back a few things that we want to do if we have to look somewhere else for funding. It will be Awesome regardless.    Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions! I've already spoken to a few people who were on the fence about the Sidekick/Vigilante/Superhero levels and they decided to go for it after having a few things clarified. If you're concerned about the guests we'll have at Awesome Con 2014, take a look at the guest lists from Emerald City Comicon, Megacon, and Wizard World. We're talking to agents for a lot of the same people.    THANK YOU!!!!   http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1611556041/awesome-con-dc

Tracking Truitt at USA Today

Neil Gaiman returns to 'The Sandman' in October: New 'Overture' miniseries features an untold story illustrated by J.H. Williams III.
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY July 1, 2013
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/07/01/neil-gaiman-the-sandman-overture-comic-book-series/2480171/

'Miami Vice,' 'Knight Rider' return as digital comics: Three other retro shows from the 1980s and '90s are also getting the treatment this year.
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY uly 2, 2013
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/07/02/miami-vice-knight-rider-1980s-retro-tv-comic-books/2481811/

Author Jeff Lindsay takes a stab at 'Dexter' comic book: Just as the Showtime series is ending, the vigilante serial killer comes alive in comic-book form.
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY  July 2, 2013
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/07/02/dexter-comic-book-series/2483309/

Game On! Comics July 4th sale

Our Weekly Video Magazine!

Game On! Comics Video Magazine about Comics of the Week

 

Fourth of July SALE!! 

Come in this Thursday from 11am to 8pm for our 4th of July Sale!

25%-50% OFF Almost Everything in the Store!

50% OFF all Back Issues

25% OFF all Games*

25% OFF all Heroclix 

25% OFF all Action Figures

25% OFF all Graphic Novels

Additional 25% OFF Sale items!

*excludes Magic the Gathering

Art Hondros' Song of Sandy Hook part 7

Comic Riffs on Entertainment Weekly's Top 10 graphic novel list

OF 'MAUS' AND MAN: Are these really the top-10 graphic novels ever?

 By Michael Cavna

Washington Post Comic Riffs July 2 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/of-mausand-man-are-these-really-the-top-10-graphic-novels-ever/2013/07/02/8b93217c-e2c7-11e2-80eb-3145e2994a55_blog.html

Art Hondros' Song of Sandy Hook part 6

International Ink extra: Gettysburg: The Graphic History

The Battle of Gettysburg, a turning point in the Civil War, took place 150 years ago today. Gettysburg: The Graphic History by Wayne Vansant (Zenith Press, 2013, $20) is a graphic history of the story of the battle. Robert E. Lee of the Confederate Army had led his troops north to Pennsylvania, hoping to both shock the North and reprovision his armies with food and clothing captured from Union states. The Union, or Federal troops, under the newly appointed Major General George Meade, intercepted them near the small town of Gettysburg in southern Pennsylvania. Although Lee did not want to fight a pitched engagement, his cavalry scouts under JEB Stuart had wandered south towards Washington and didn't warn him away from the Union (or Federal) troops. Once some of his troops were committed, Lee decided to fight, hoping to punch a whole in the Union line of defenders. For three days, the two sides fought with thousands of men until the Union broke a last chance charge by General George Pickett. On July 4th, the Confederates retreated, and Meade didn't follow them in spite of President Lincoln's urgings.

The story is so big and complex that it doesn't fit well into 96 pages. Vansant does a competent job of explaining the preparations before the battle, the three days of the battle and the aftermath, including the full text of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address which dedicated the Union cemetery. He's obviously used reference photographs, and his artwork makes the famous people recognizable, if a bit stiff. He approaches the story chronologically, and one can get an idea of how the battle unfolded, but the book remains rather dry. Given his young adult audience, Vansant draws a minimum of bloodshed. When he writes, "Down below, General Hood's left arm was shattered by a shell burst," he draws Hood and his horse blinded and pushed to one side by the explosion and only colors them with a golden wash. I do not think most readers would actually want any more graphic detail than that, but Vansant's decision does sap some of the essence out of the story. His need to jump from one small segment of the battle to the next, unavoidable as it may be, has the same effect.

The story appears to be factually correct, although some items such as drawing Confederate General Lewis Armistead advancing with his hat speared on his sword aren't explained. Perhaps he thought sharpshooters would aim for his hat? A final round of proof-reading would have avoided mistakes such as "Choked with emotion because he did not want to make this attack, Longstreet nearly nodded." (p. 81) Presumably 'merely' is meant, not 'nearly' since a near nod is not much of a military command.

In conclusion, this book is most likely to appeal to a boy who already has an interest in the Civil War or military history, and is a perfectly reasonable starting place for someone looking at the vast amount of Gettysburg literature.

Still coming next - Tommysaurus Rex.

Nick Galifianakis joins Go Comics

Nick Galifianakis joins Go Comics today with reprints of his Washington Post work for Carolyn Hax's column. The first panel is here.