Richard Thompson = The Band, or an Art of Richard Thompson review

Graphic Novels from Apatoff, Font, Jurgens & others, Lewis & Co., and Sutter | Xpress Reviews

By LJ Reviews on January 22, 2015
http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/2015/01/books/graphic-novels/graphic-novels-from-apatoff-font-jurgens-others-lewis-co-and-sutter-xpress-reviews/

ComicsDC on the road: Mountain Top Comics and Collectibles of Cookeville, TN

I visit Cookeville, TN regularly to see my wife's family and off and on have visited local comics shops. I thought they were all gone, but last year for Free Comic Book Day, my in-laws heard about Mountain Top Comics and kindly stopped in for me. I took the opportunity to visit recently and met the owner Michael Hargis. It's the only shop left in Cookeville, which at one point in the 90s had at least three of them. The shop at, 1683 S. Jefferson Ave, has a good assortment of new comics. Hargis probably stocks more new floppies than the Big Planet stores around DC that I regularly shop at.  Hargis has a good run of the non-big two comics, including a reasonable shelf of indy graphic novels, and lots of Image and Boom comics. He also has a fun selection of comics-based toys, a decent amount of back issues and a little bit of games. If I lived here, I'd be perfectly happy with this as my regular shop. Today's purchases were Camelot 3000 chosen by my daughter, Batman 66 trade for me, and a Conan print and The Haunt of Wylding Wood minicomic by local cartoonist Matt Knieling (pictured below).

 

Back issues for sale in a side room

The Post on editorial cartooning in South America

Drawing cartoons, defying the government

By Karen Attiah and Ann Telnaes
Washington Post.com (March 30 2015): http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/opinions/wp/2015/03/30/drawing-cartoons-defying-the-government/

Finding Nemo changed a DC teacher's life

How "Finding Nemo" Changed My Life

Kiki Kienstra

Thursday, March 26, 2015

http://www.studio360.org/story/aha-moment-finding-nemo/

http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/audio.wnyc.org/studio/studio032615_cms438327_pod.mp3

CdS and TCdS artist Stacy Curtis is ill

Here's the story:

Stacy Curtis loses sight from stroke; Pig and Banjo drawings fill Facebook wall

by Alan Gardner

March 30, 2015

http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2015/03/30/stacy-curtis-loses-sight-from-stroke-pig-and-banjo-drawings-fill-facebook-wall/

We send Stacy our best wishes for a rapid recovery, in print, because we can't draw a banjo let alone a pig.

Bagge in Dupont Circle's Reason magazine

Life Out on the Political Fringe: Peter Bagge hits the campaign trail

Peter Bagge

Reason April 2015 issue

http://reason.com/archives/2015/03/29/life-out-on-the-political-fringe

A new Josh Kramer restaurant review comic

Drawn to Flavor: Zaytinya

By DCist Contributor Josh Kramer

March 30 2015

http://dcist.com/2015/03/drawn_to_flavor_zaytinya.php

April 16: CultureBlast: COMICS BASH

Join Fantom Comics at the Hillyer Art Space for CultureBlast: COMICS BASH, an evening of DIY screenprinting, dramatic readings, and comic book-inspired art.

Bring your best costumes to our comic book-themed dramatic reading! Share an original work, read your favorite superhero soliloquy, or just shout "I AM BATMAN! WHERE IS HE?!" into the microphone for 3 minutes. Because 3 minutes is all you get. 

EVERY READER will get a free comic book and some Fantom swag! BEST COSTUMED PERFORMANCE will win a $50 gift card to Fantom Comics so you can buy those sweet, sweet graphic novels you've always wanted!

Artist J.D. Deardourff will show you how to make your own screenprint to take home with you!

Doors, drinking, FREE popcorn, and schmoozing starts at 7:00 pm.

Contributors will be drawn from a hat at 7:50 and the performances begin at 8 pm.

$5 suggested donation.

That darn Toles

Letters to the Editor

Ancient poetry that still relates today

Susan Schearer,

Winchester, Va.

Washington Post March 28 2015
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ancient-poetry-that-still-relates-today/2015/03/26/6a384464-d247

Big Planet team's Zodiac Starforce picked up by Dark Horse

Congratulations to Kevin Panetta and Paulina Ganucheau.

Awesomeness and Sparkles: Meet 'Zodiac Starforce', Your New Favorite Magical Girl Team [Interview]

by Kate Leth March 27, 2015
http://comicsalliance.com/zodiac-starforce-panetta-ganucheau-dark-horse/

Here's that City Paper comics flow chart

Based on attendance at Smudge, apparently.

Flow Chart: D.C.'s Thriving Comic-Creator Scene

 by Tim Regan
Washington City Paper Mar. 27, 2015
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/general/2015/03/27/flow-chart-d-c-s-thriving-comic-creator-scene/

Nate Powell on Indiana's religious intolerance

Indiana's 'March' artist tells of shame, empowerment over 'religious freedom' law

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog March 27, 2015
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2015/03/27/indianas-march-artist-tells-of-shame-empowerment-over-religious-freedom-law/

The Post, among other papers, censors Wumo strip

The watchers at rec.arts.comics.strips noticed that the March 26, 2015 Wumo strip was not run by The Washington Post (as well as the Chicago Tribune, NY Daily News, and ArcaMax.com). The strip is a not a particularly interesting one with a white patriarchal God in a supermarket buying TV dinners (do they still make them?) and saying that he's had bad luck making things all by himself.

Huh. Yeah, that's my thought too. But the Post and the others ran a year-old strip instead. No Charlie Hebdo situations in this town!

Report on South American cartoonists talk in DC

Bonil and Rayma: Cartoonists Speak Truth to Power

Venezuelan and Ecuadorian Satirists Defend Right to "Blaspheme"

Gonzalo Mellado
Panam Post's The Canal blog March 26, 2015
http://blog.panampost.com/gonzalo-mellado/2015/03/26/bonil-and-rayma-cartoonists-speak-truth-to-power/

Emily R. Gillis on Jikosha and 24-Hour Comics

by Mike Rhode

Emily R. Gillis was a Smudge exhibitor, selling a collection of her webcomic Jikosha. She's a founder of the local cooperative, Square City Comics, and one-half of Wayward Studios. Her comics can be bought here.

What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

I primarily do longform fantasy comics with a style heavily-influenced by anime I grew up watching. I also have participated in the 24-Hour Comic challenge for the past 4 years and like to turn those into minicomics.

How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?

Mostly traditional. All of my comics are first drawn with pencil then inked with microns and brush pens, though I've been experimenting more with brush and ink. Coloring and lettering are all done digitally though most of my coloring is done by the other half of Wayward Studios, Crystal Rollins. I've been practicing digital colors with her help, but she is a magician with them!

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

I was born in '84 in St. Paul, MN (dontcha know), though I grew up near Denver, CO.

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

I moved to the Baltimore area to seek out more work opportunities and to move in with my boyfriend, now husband. Currently, we're up north in Cockeysville, MD. I'm down in DC every month though for events and for meetings with my friends in Square City Comics.

What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

I earned a bachelor's degree in graphic design back in 2006. I never formally studied cartooning, but I remember making comics as far back as the 4th grade when I turned my teacher into a superhero for a story. I mostly learned from reading books on the subject and just reading other comics.

Who are your influences?

Starting out, I was heavily influenced by anime like Sailor Moon, Magic Knight Rayearth, and Dragonball Z. Currently, my work is most influenced by other local creators I've met as well as webcomics I follow. Comics like Namesake, Sister Claire, and Stand Still Stay Silent are the first ones that come to mind for works I look to for inspiration and technique.

If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?

Get serious about comics sooner. I went into graphic design since I figured I could both get a job more easily with that degree and I could apply what I learned there to comics, though I'd never really considered comics a valid career option. I didn't pursue it seriously until a few years ago and it's been a struggle trying to turn it into a full-time gig rather than something I have to make time to do outside of my day job.

What work are you best-known for?

I'm best known for my webcomic Jikoshia. I began writing the comics back in high school and rebooted it three times before bringing it to print.

What work are you most proud of?

I have two comics that I'm super proud of. Jikoshia has come so far and turned into a project I really love. I recently brought my latest 24-hour comic to print as well, All You Held Dear, and for being a comic written in such a short amount of time, I'm really happy with the way both the writing and the art turned out!

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

I just want to more time to work on personal projects. I have a "vault" of story ideas and scripts I have yet to finish and I'm anxious to get to them!

What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?

That's when I refer to Crystal. Part of why we formed Wayward Studios was to help each other out when we get into blocks. We'll talk through problem scenes or give the other a kick in the pants if we slack off. Another trick I've learned is to go read another comic or play a video game for a while. It gives me a chance to step out of the worlds I've created and into another, helping me refresh my viewpoints.

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

With the advent of crowdfunding, I'm looking forward to seeing more creator-owned works come to life. A lot of great projects have come about because of this resource (including my own!).

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

I go to almost every one I can find! I regularly attend Katsucon and Small Press Expo and look forward to this year's Awesome Con. I've only managed to go to Intervention once so far, but would definitely like to again! I also make appearances at smaller shows like Tiger Con in Towson, Library Con in Petworth, and Nippon Con in Westminster. I'm currently planning a small show for a comics group I'm a part of called Square City Comics in June and hope to turn that into an annual gig.

SPX is my favorite event of the year and I recommend it to everyone looking to get into comics. Just make sure to set a budget for yourself otherwise you'll definitely spend your lunch money on books instead of food. Not that I've ever regretted it.

What's your favorite thing about DC?

I like that I don't have to drive to most places and that there's so much to do! Before moving to the East Coast, I was living in a very small mountain town and doing anything involved at least a 4-hour drive. Having everything I want to do be so close took some time to get used to and I love having so many options.

Least favorite?

Traffic. My sense of direction is a bit off and too much traffic really throws me for a loop! Plus one-ways are the bane of my existence.

What monument or museum do you like to take visitors to?

My parents came out to visit for the first time a couple years ago so I took them on a tour of the National Mall. My dad was like a kid in a candy store at the Air & Space Museum. Next time he comes out I'm taking him to the one in Dulles.

How about a favorite local restaurant?

District of Pi in Chinatown is my favorite, though I've heard there's a great ramen place in Rockville I need to try. That might unseat the pizza's throne.

Do you have a website or blog?

You can find all of my work and learn where I'll be next on waywardstudios.net. I also sometimes post work and news to my Tumblr (thealmightym.tumblr.com) and Instagram (@thealmightym).

The Post reviews Home cartoon

Despite Rihanna's efforts, it's where the hear isn't [online as 'Home,' phone 'E.T.': Animated alien flick is another fish-out-of-water tale]

By Sandie Angulo Chen
Washington Post March 27 2015, p. Weekend 28
http://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/home-phone-et-animated-alien-flick-is-another-fish-out-of-water-tale/2015/03/25/828e68d6-d251-11e4-a62f-ee745911a4ff_story.html

April 1: Herblock talk at Library of Congress

Gallery Talk

Pointing Their Pens: Herblock and Fellow Cartoonists Confront the Issues

Wednesday, April 1, 2015, at noon Curator Sara W. Duke, Prints and Photographs Division, Discusses Highlights from the Exhibition.

Sponsored by the Interpretive Programs Office, Stacie Moats, 202-707-0185

Graphic Arts Galleries, Ground Level Thomas Jefferson Building

ADA ACCESSIBILITY: Request ADA accommodations 5 days in advance 202-707-6362 or ada@loc.gov

PR: SPX 2015 Ignatz Awards Submission Instructions

Submit to the Ignatz Awards! It's time to submit your comics for consideration in Small Press Expo's festival prize, the Ignatz Award!   The nominees are selected by a jury of creators and voted on by attendees and exhibitors of Small Press Expo. Previous winners include Kate Beaton, Michael DeForge, Lisa Hanawalt, Jaime Hernandez, Nate Powell, Jillian Tamaki, Mariko Tamaki, Ulli Lust and Sophie Goldstein.   Categories are: Outstanding Artist Outstanding Anthology or Collection Outstanding Graphic Novel Outstanding Story Promising New Talent Outstanding Series Outstanding Comic Outstanding Minicomic Outstanding Online Comic   All work will be eligible in all applicable categories. We need six copies of work published between June 1, 2014 and May 31, 2015 sent to:  SPX Ignatz Awards c/o Big Planet Comics 4849 Cordell Ave. Bethesda, MD 20814 When submitting, please fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1hCrJzVJ9x9MP6ZyqCKiiMvkRSuflsW39QQy-cQfdZZc/viewform   (If you have already submitted, please go ahead and fill it out now!)   Links to online comics should be emailed to spxignatz@gmail.com All submissions must be received by June 7, 2015.   Full guidelines are available at: http://www.spxpo.com/ignatz-guidelines. All questions should be sent to Ignatz Award coordinator, Eden Miller, at spxignatz@gmail.com.   This year's image of Ignatz, as seen above, was created by 2014 Promising New Talent Winner Cathy G. Johnson.   The 2015 Ignatz Awards is once again sponsored by Comixology Submit!

Comics & the US government

Locally, the largest employer is still the government. And it occasionally dabbles in cartoons. Here's 2 stories:

President Obama talks comic books in latest mass email

by Albert Ching | March 25, 2015
http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2015/03/president-obama-talks-comic-books-in-latest-mass-email/

The U.S. Is Dropping Gruesome Fliers Over ISIS-Controlled Territory: A cartoon shows locals that signing up for ISIS only leads them to a grotesque death.

By Paul D. Shinkman March 26, 2015
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/03/26/the-us-is-dropping-gruesome-fliers-over-isis-controlled-territory

This cartoon, courtesy of the Defense Department, depicts two extremist fighters at a "recruiting office" leading young people toward a blood-splattered meat grinder.

Ryan Holmberg's Indian comics interview at TCJ.com

Dharavi Comics Epidemic: An Interview with Chaitanya Modak

BY Ryan Holmberg Mar 26, 2015

http://www.tcj.com/dharavi-comics-epidemic-an-interview-with-chaitanya-modak/

The sometimes Silver Spring resident strikes again.