Sunday, January 05, 2014

Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "Noise Channels"

As received from our local anarchist cartoonist.

"Noise Channels"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=1431

News channels? Noise channels, more like.

Cast your memory back, for a moment, to the Bush Years -- oh, sure you can, c'mon. Fox News was cheerleading for war and a burgeoning police state, calling dissenters "traitors", yelling for every dissident's and whistleblower's head on a plate, and spewing GOP talking points all over us. MSNBC, in the meantime, was hollering for an end to imperialist wars, the protection of civil liberties, and all that other speaking-truth-to-power horseshit.

Fast-forward to the Obama Years. Fox News is suddenly hollering about dissent and civil liberties and Obama's adventurism overseas. MSNBC, in the meantime, is cheerleading for war, softpedaling Obama's use of drones to murder civilians, calling dissenters "traitors", yelling for every dissident's and whistleblower's head on a plate, and spewing Democratic Party talking points all over us.

Anybody detecting a pattern here?

These three sticker designs depict the real reason for being of both of these hypocritical partisan "news" channels. The MSDNC logo may be something new to most of you, but why the Fox News parody logo, you might ask? Granted, everybody and their cat may have figured out that Fox News was a GOP mouthpiece from day one, but I thought it might be a good idea to include it, because Fair And Balanced.

--

________________________________________________________________
Mike Flugennock, flugennock at sinkers dot org
Mike's Political Cartoons: dubya dubya dubya dot sinkers dot org

PR: Dilbert's Scott Adams on being happy in 2014- WashPost

This is as I received it because I drove to NJ and back this weekend and am too tired to rewrite it. Thanks to Molly Gannon for passing it along. Enjoy the article. - Mike

Dilbert creator Scott Adams writes in The Washington Post about how to be happy in 2014, touching on topics like diet, exercise, and career. An excerpt from his article is below and the entire piece can be found at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/read-this-if-you-want-to-be-happy-in-2014/2014/01/02/d96370f0-7192-11e3-9389-09ef9944065e_story.html

 

Today — as some of you are already backtracking on those New Year's resolutions — I'm going to strip out all of the mumbo-jumbo around the topic of happiness and tell you the simplest way to get some.

 

You're reading this in the business section because every bit of what follows on the topic of happiness is relevant to your career, especially if you have entrepreneurial ambitions. You'll need all the good health, good looks and mental energy you can muster to influence people and survive the long hours. As luck would have it, the good habits that make you healthy and energetic help to make you happy at the same time, so it's a double win.

 

As far as I can tell, people usually experience the sensation of happiness whenever they have both health and freedom. It's a simple formula:

 

Happiness = Health + Freedom

 


Jan 17-18: KAL and other political cartoonists

Lifted from Kal's Facebook page:

If you are in Washington in January... check out this fun event!
Art Soiree Productions Presents 4th Annual Political Cartoon Exhibit by Kevin Kallaugher Friday, January 17th - 8pm-1am Saturday, January 18th - 8pm-1am Tickets online at www.artsoiree.com

The new 'Axel and Alex'

Marylander Terry Flippo is re-imagining his comics characters Axel and Alex, which he published as mini comics more than a decade ago. This week, Flippo has re-launched the new series as a biweekly webcomic on his Facebook page.

Courtesy of Terry Flippo

Friday, January 03, 2014

Gareth Hinds may be the newest local cartoonist

Gareth Hinds' website says he now lives in the area. Hinds is best known for his adaptations of classic works of literature into comics.

Jef Thompson let go from Big Planet Comics Bethesda (revised)

I'm updating this as some of the material I tried to quote from Facebook didn't appear, nor did other material that I had in the draft version. My apologies to my readers.

Jef Thompson has reported on Facebook that he's been let go from Big Planet Comics Bethesda, after working there for sixteen years. The decision is purely a financial one according to the store's owners. Jef was the most recognizable employee behind the counter since former employee Peter Casazza purchased Liberty Comics & Books (nee Closet of Comics) and turned it into Big Planet Comics College Park. Joel Pollack, founder and co-owner of the store with Greg Bennett, said on Jef's Facebook page, "I assure you, it was a sad day for me. A simple"thank you" cannot express my gratitude for all you did for Big Planet and for me personally. This wasn't an easy decision." The store will be solely staffed by the two owners for the near future.

Both Joel and Greg have assured me that Big Planet Bethesda is financially healthy, and making a profit, but noted they're both taking a salary from it. Joel also needs to plan for the future as he approaches retirement age -- which is hard for me to believe, but when I think about it, I've been going to his store for over 25 years now.

Jef works as a professional illustrator and his website is http://www.jefthompson.com/ - you can also buy his original artwork online from him on Etsy. He noted that the job "gave me a cushion cash wise to earn money as an artist." I've got some of his art decorating my office and home, and will be buying more now, I'm sure.

All three people in this posting are friends of mine, but I feel this was worth noting both because Jef's been a regular presence at the store for so long on comic book day (aka Wednesday) and will be missed. The long-term viability of comic book stores is regularly debated, but Newsrama reported today that some stores are reporting that sales are up. Assumptions are dangerous, but the federal government's sequestration and the following shut-down affected salaries in the area, and may very well have affected sales at the store; I know that I cut back on my personal spending in the summer and fall due to those events.

In any event, my best wishes go to everyone involved.

-- Mike Rhode

The Post reviews a new Rube Goldberg book

Getting from point A to B via the longest route possible [online as 'The Art of Rube Goldberg,' selected by Jennifer George]
By Dennis Drabelle,
Washington Post (December 29 2013)

Deaths in the comic arts during 2013, now completely updated

Here's a revised list with about a score of additions from D.D. Degg's research during the year.


Deaths in 2013 included Dan Adkins, short-term comics writer Jerry Albert, Frédéric Othon "Fred" Aristidès, illustrator Niculae Asciu, animation voice actor James Avery, Canadian animator Frédéric Back, Alison Bechdel's mother Helen, Chinese cartoonist and historian Bi Keguan, Little Man on Campus cartoonist Richard Bibler, Underdog co-creator W. Watts "Buck" Biggers, New Zealand small press cartoonist Debra Boyask, Popular Press founder "Pat" Browne, freelance cartoonist Ross Edward Bunch, Nick Cardy, Filmation Studios art director and sports cartoonist George Carey,  Shoe cartoonist Chris Cassatt, North Star newspaper cartoonist Louis Chisholm, Jr., MAD Magazine illustrator Bob Clarke, comic book artist Scott Clark, Hystoria with J.P comic strip writer Bob Cohn, British comics historian Les Coleman, Belgian cartoonist Didier Comès, comic strip artist Carlisle Cooper, Washington Post comic panel Meet the Judge cartoonist Dick Couperthwaite, Pioneer News cartoonist Paul Evans Coyle, Archie cartoonist Jeff Cuddy, Amsterdam News cartoonist William (Willie) Martin (Obuyi) Curry, Jr., comic book scholar Sol Davidson, comic book dealer Bruce Ellsworth, SPEC Productions publisher Andy Feighery, minicomics creator Luisa Felix, Italian comic collector Ezio Ferraro, gag cartoonist Ed Fisher, Belgian cartoonist Fred Funcken, Hanover County Herald-Progress political cartoonist John H. Gabbert, Italian comics historian Roberto Giammanco, editorial cartoonist Frank Gillooly, George Gladir, Louis Glanzman, Simpsons creator's mother Margaret Groening, stop-motion animator Ray Harryhausen, Oregon Forestry cartoonist Hugh John Hayes, Jr.,
Chinese cartoonist He Wei, Pete Hoffman, "Robin" the Robin comic strip creator George Howard Hollenbeck, Carmine Infantino, editorial cartoonist Ned E. Jarvis, Magnus Johnstone, Herald of Randolph comic strip Local Color John H. Kennedy, Danish cartoonist Rune T. Kidde, magazine cartoonist Brad Kirkland, British anti-war cartoonist Leon Kuhn, Nepalese cartoonist Ujjwol 'Jyapoo' Kundan, political cartoonist Lyle John Lahey, Cracked and Sick cartoonist John Langton, Pollut-O-Crats comic strip cartoonist Gordon Larkin, comic book store owner and censorship victim Gordon Lee, Stan Lynde, webcomics publisher Joey Manley, Nisei cartoonist Jack Matsuoka, Sorehead comic strip cartoonist Carl Eugene May, Jr., comic book writer Robert Morales, Swiss cartoonist Christian Moser, comic book writer Philip Nutman, comic strip artist George Olesen, comic strip artist John Olson Sr., Diamond Comic Distributors Senior Marketing Manager Phyllis Opolko, Spanish cartoonist José Ortiz, Simpsons scriptwriter Don Payne, magazine cartoonis Sophia Jean (Cissie) Peltz (nee Liebshutz), Suspect Device cartoonist Greg Peters, Canadian editorial cartoonist Roy Peterson, editorial cartoonist Eldon Pletcher, magazine cartoonist Roy J. "Boots" Reynolds, Cleveland Press editorial cartoonist Bill Roberts, Lebanese political cartoonist Pierre Sadek, editorial cartoonist Lee Sanderson, Filipino komiks illustrator Jesse Santos, Filmation cartoon studio founder Lou Scheimer, Adoornments comic strip creator John Jay Schmitz, Australian Phantom publisher Jim Shepherd, gag cartoonist Vahan Shirvanian, Jr., political cartoonist David L. Shore, Fort Worth Star Telegram comic strip The Adventures of Hal 'n Dick creator Dick Siegel, magazine, sports and comic strip cartoonist Scott Smith, Studio Proteus founder Toren Smith, Playboy and editorial cartoonist Al Stine, editorial cartoonist Robert McMillan Stuart, editorial illustrator Jean-Claude Suares, Fantagraphics co-publisher Kim Thompson, Grand Rapids Press's Counterpoint comic strip creator Bob Wepman, Disney cartoonist Ross Wetzel, comic book artist Janice Valleau Winkleman, gag cartoon book publisher Peter Workman, cartoonist gagwriter Eileen "Jo" Wyman, 'Anpanman' cartoonist Takashi Yanase, and underground cartoonist Yossarian (Alan Shenker).

Washington Post cartoonist passed away last September

D.D. Degg caught this in his list of deaths in 2013. I don't know anything about this cartoon yet.

Vyrl Richard ""Dick"" Couperthwaite (1915 - 2013) Obituary
 Northern Virginia Daily  Sept. 23, 2013

"Mr. Couperthwaite created the cartoon "Meet the Judge," a comical look at police traffic regulations which was published in the Washington Post newspaper."

Thursday, January 02, 2014

Trading Blows! on Jan. 22

Trading Blows!, billed as a “nerdy swap meet and wrestling watching party,” will be held Jan. 22 at 8 p.m. at the Black Cat on 14th Street in D.C. Here’s what the event’s Facebook page says: 

"If you're like us, your room is overflowing with too many comic books, action figures, and old wrestling tapes. We encourage you bring all your unwanted nerd swag to the Red Room and trade it with other like minded collectors. Also, our friends around the corner at Big Planet Comics will be selling stuff!


We'll also be showing old wrestling matches on our projector screen on the backstage. This month will be the top 8 Japanese wrestling matches of the 90's as chosen by Highspots dot com, featuring the likes of Jushin Liger, Great Sasuke, Ultimo Dragon, Eddie Guerrero, and (gulp) Chris Benoit."

Comic Riffs on 2013's graphic novels

THE TRIAL BALLOON: O teachers, it's time to heed this banner year for graphic novels

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog (December 31 2013): http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/the-trial-balloon-o-teachers-its-time-to-heed-this-banner-year-for-graphic-novels/2013/12/31/eee3f8ca-719f-11e3-8def-a33011492df2_blog.html

Disney's The Little Mermaid on stage in Arlington

The Little Mermaid Jr. 

Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater
Book by Doug Wright
Based on the Hans Christian Andersen Story and the Disney Film produced by Howard Ashman & John Musker and written & directed by John Musker and Ron Clements


http://www.encorestageva.org/on-stage/20132014-season/

January 10-19, 2014
Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre
125 S. Old Glebe Road Arlington, VA 22204

Encore Season 2013 BannerSplash into this classic story of Ariel, the mermaid princess, who wishes to live in the world above rather than the ocean floor. To explore life on land, Ariel disobeys her father, King Triton, and makes a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula. Ransoming her singing voice, she must convince Prince Eric that she is indeed the girl who rescued him or risk losing her voice forever. Sing along to your favorite songs and watch as Ariel, with the help of her friends, tries to break Ursula's curse and win the heart of the Prince. Recommended for ages 4 and up.

Big Planet Comics Bethesda's January hardcover sale

Wednesday, January 01, 2014

OT: "I'm sorry Daniel Clowes" skywriting appeared today in California

My friend Marc Weidenbaum captured this image from the skies above Griffith Park today. Since Marc writes about music, he gave me permission to post it. The LA Times has an explanatory write-up of actor Shia LaBeouf's plagiarism of Daniel Clowes' work.

Variety has a story too -


Shia LaBeouf Apologizes to Daniel Clowes Via Skywriting
Variety January 1, 2014

Deaths in the comic arts during 2013 UPDATED

I keep loose track of this for my Comics Research Bibliography. Here's the list of losses in the field for 2013 (with much help from D.D. Degg's reporting). I'm sure I can provide a citation on request.

Deaths in 2013 included Dan Adkins, Frédéric Othon "Fred" Aristidès, illustrator Niculae Asciu, animation voice actor James Avery, Alison Bechdel's mother Helen, Underdog co-creator W. Watts "Buck" Biggers, New Zealand small press cartoonist Debra Boyask, Nick Cardy, Shoe cartoonist Chris Cassatt, MAD Magazine illustrator Bob Clarke, comic book artist Scott Clark, British comics historian Les Coleman, Belgian cartoonist Didier Comès, comic strip artist Carlisle Cooper, Archie cartoonist Jeff Cuddy, comic book scholar Sol Davidson, comic book dealer Bruce Ellsworth, minicomics creator Luisa Felix, Italian comic collector Ezio Ferraro, gag cartoonist Ed Fisher, Belgian cartoonist Fred Funcken, Italian comics historian Roberto Giammanco, George Gladir, Louis Glanzman, 'The Simpsons' creator's mother Margaret Groening, stop-motion animator Ray Harryhausen, Pete Hoffman, Carmine Infantino, Magnus Johnstone, Danish cartoonist Rune T. Kidde, British anti-war cartoonist Leon Kuhn, Nepalese cartoonist Ujjwol 'Jyapoo' Kundan, comic book store owner and censorship victim Gordon Lee, Stan Lynde, webcomics publisher Joey Manley, Nisei cartoonist Jack Matsuoka, comic book writer Robert Morales, Swiss cartoonist Christian Moser, comic book writer Philip Nutman, comic strip artist George Olesen, comic strip artist John Olson Sr., Diamond Comic Distributors Senior Marketing Manager Phyllis Opolko, Spanish cartoonist José Ortiz, 'Simpsons' scriptwriter Don Payne, 'Suspect Device' cartoonist Greg Peters, Canadian editorial cartoonist Roy Peterson, editorial cartoonist Eldon Pletcher,  Lebanese political cartoonist Pierre Sadek, Filipino komiks illustrator Jesse Santos, Filmation cartoon studio founder Lou Scheimer, Australian 'Phantom' publisher Jim Shepherd, Studio Proteus founder Toren Smith, Playboy and editorial cartoonist Al Stine, editorial illustrator Jean-Claude Suares, Fantagraphics co-publisher Kim Thompson, comic book artist Janice Valleau Winkleman, gag cartoon book publisher Peter Workman, 'Anpanman' cartoonist Takashi Yanase, and underground cartoonist Yossarian (Alan Shenker).

New additions from DD Degg are Disney cartoonist Ross Wetzel and short-term comics writer Jerry Albert.

Jan 1: Big Planet Comics sale


Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Happy New Year from ComicsDC!

  • Title: New Year's eve at the hotel prosperity / Kep.
  • Creator(s): Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956, artist
  • Date Created/Published: N.Y. : Published by Keppler & Schwarzmann, Puck Building, 1909 December 29.
  • Medium: 1 photomechanical print : offset, color.
  • Summary: Illustration shows waiters Joseph G. Cannon and James S. Sherman turning away a man labeled "Average Citizen" and a woman at the "Hotel Prosperity" dining room because all the tables have been reserved; there are signs on the tables that read "Reserved for Wool Interests, Reserved for Coal Trust, Reserved for Steel Trust, Reserved for Senator Aldrich and Party, Reserved for Cold Storage Interests, Reserved for Sugar Trust, Reserved for Ice Trust, [and] Reserved for Franchise Grabbers".
  •  from the Library of Congress 

Breathtaker reprint project on Indigogo - 7 days left!

Breathtaker is a critically acclaimed Harvey Award-nominated graphic novel, first published by DC Comics and Vertigo in the early '90s. The award-winning, world-famous artists / creators Mark Wheatley (Jonny Quest, Frankenstein Mobster, EZ Street, Insight Studios & more) and Marc Hempel (The Sandman, Disney Adventures, Heavy Metal & more) are offering you the opportunity to pick up a new, improved, and remastered edition of this long out-of-print book. And then they want to continue their groundbreaking story of love, death, passion, and the journey toward redemption. But for all of this to happen they need your help. And for that you will not go home empty-handed! Now is your chance to give the breath of life to Breathtaker.

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/breathtaker to fund it

Kal covers the year that was for the Baltimore Sun

(note the watercolors!)

From: Kevin Kallaugher

I wanted to share that The Baltimore Sun created a nice interactive graphic from a large double-page year-end cartoon that I created for the paper. The link is here:

The original artwork was so large that I could not fit it on my drawing table so I had to resort to using the island in our kitchen.


Kal
The KAL iPhone App is now available at the iTunes store.
The KAL iPhone App is now available at the iTunes store.

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Friday, December 27, 2013

Smudge! Expo 2014 Exhibitor Application

Smudge! Expo 2014 Exhibitor Application

https://smudgexpo.wufoo.com/forms/smudge-expo-2014-exhibitor-application/

The Smudge! Expo is taking place on Saturday, March 8, 2014, from noon to 6 p.m. at Artisphere in Arlington, Va. Smudge is a new comics arts expo meant to showcase independent comics and inspire attendees to become storytellers themselves. Smudge will feature exhibitors in the Artisphere Ballroom, presenters in the Black Box Theater and hands-on workshops in the classroom. While the Artisphere Town Hall bar will be open, the event is family friendly and will have plenty of activities for kids, such as drawing and making pin buttons. (Exhibitors will also be designated if their table is all-age appropriate.)

Smudge is a curated show. About 45 exhibitors will be selected to display and sell their work. The fee to exhibit is $55 for space which will include a 6-foot table and 2 chairs (provided by the venue). Exhibitors will be expected to help promote the show via social media.

To apply, fill out the form on the website and submit it by January 15. Selected exhibitors will be notified by January 20. (Payment must be made by January 25 to secure the spot.)

We hope to have a nice mix of comics arts-related exhibitors (minicomics, graphic novels, web comics, editorial cartoonists, print makers, publishers, etc.).

Smudge is the brainchild of local comic booker Matt Dembicki and event manager Tina Henry. Smudge's venue sponsor is the amazing Artisphere in Arlington, Va.

If you have questions, please email smudgexpo@gmail.com.

KAL interview, prior to tonight's Live Show

Celebrity Interview: KAL, Editorial Cartoonist and Special Guest at The Xavier DuChamp Post-Holiday Extravaganza!

Mike Harris

Baltimore Improv Group (December 2013): http://www.bigimprov.org/Celebrity-Interview-KAL




KAL, Editorial Cartoonist and Special Guest at The Xavier DuChamp Post-Holiday Extravaganza!

Feb 9: Sakugawa at Big Planet DC

February 9 – Yumi Sakugawa signing

ITHINKIAMBig Planet Comics is proud to welcome Yumi Sakugawa for a signing and reading from her brand new graphic novel, I Think I Am in Friend-Love With You!


Yumi Sakugawa is a comic book artist and illustrator based in Southern California and a regular contributor to The Rumpus and Wonderhowto.


“Look around. You won’t find anything sweeter than this lonely little book anywhere in your immediate vicinity. Unless for some reason there’s, like, a bunny knitting a scarf for a puppy. That might be sweeter. Aside from that, this book is definitely your best bet.” –Avery Monsen, coauthor of K is for Knifeball and All My Friends Are Dead


“This is one of my favorite comics ever, a sweet ode to platonic love that will echo through the ages.” –MariNaomi, author of Kiss & Tell


“Funny and beautifully drawn, I Think I Am In Friend-Love With You is the bittersweet tale of friendships in the age of social media in which many can relate.” –Esther Pearl Watson, author of Unlovable


“The warmth of Yumi’s soft brushstrokes and vulnerability of her words make me feel less alone in this weird world. I think I am in book-love.” –Lisa Hanawalt, author of My Dirty Dumb Eyes


Yumi Sakugawa’s website: http://www.yumisakugawa.com


3pm-5pm
Big Planet Comics of Washington DC
1520 U St. NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-342-1961
dc@bigplanetcomics.com

Jan 15: Brad Meltzer in Tyson's Corner

meltzer_abe.lincoln

Brad Meltzer appears at Barnes & Noble to sign his new children's books I Am Abraham Lincoln and I Am Amelia Earhart on Wednesday January 15, 2014 at 6:30 PM!

Barnes & Noble – Tysons Corner Mall
Tysons Corner Center, 7851 L. Tysons Corner Center, McLean, VA 22102
703-506-2937

Courtesy of Convention Scene. Meltzer has a new Batman story coming out soon, and Eliopoulos is a comic book artist of course.

Jan 1: Big Planet Comics annual sale


Thursday, December 26, 2013

12/27: Kal featured with Baltimore Improv Group Friday night!


From: Kevin Kallaugher

Looking for some post-Holiday fun? Come to The Creative Alliance for Baltimore Improv Group's End-of the-Year Extravaganza... Friday December 27! I will be doing some live cartooning and riffing on the themes of 2013...


I hope to see you there!

Spread the word!

Best

Kal


Kal's New retrospective collection Daggers Drawn is now available to order


 
December 25th, 2013

 

   

 

 

December 27th - The Creative Alliance - 3134 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore

It's time to celebrate the holidays again...and we've got an old-fashioned spectacle for you. It's our first ever improvised holiday special! We'll deliver an evening filled with scenes of seasonal delight, audience interviews, and music, tied up with a sparkly bow. What else makes it special? We've got our old friend KAL back to take our cheer to a new level!

 

 

© Copyright 2013 Baltimore Improv Group. All rights reserved.
P.O. Box 50008 | Baltimore, MD 21211 | 888-745-8393 | info@bigimprov.org
 
The Baltimore Improv Group (BIG) is a 501(3) (c) non-profit group dedicated to advancing the art of improvisational theatre in the greater Baltimore area. We hope you'll join us by supporting us with a financial contribution. Donating is easy and tax deductible.  Donate Now!




Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Traffic safety doesn't stop for Christmas

Montgomery Co. uses comic book story to teach safety

Wednesday - 12/25/2013, 3:31pm  ET

comic.jpg
Montgomery County launches a new safety campaign. (Photo: Montgomery County Pedestrian Safety Initiative)

Can a graphic novel be a lifesaver?

WTOP's Kate Ryan reports

http://wtop.com/46/3531307/Montgomery-Co-uses-comic-book-story-to-teach-safety

http://media.dev-cms.com/wtop/32/3208/320817.MP3

Atlanta TV station recommends March

Civil Rights Leader John Lewis gives unique gift to members of Congress

Devin Fehely
Dec 25, 2013   
http://www.11alive.com/news/article/317036/40/Civil-Rights-Leader-John-Lewis-gives-unique-gift-to-members-of-Congress