Baltimore's JC Vaughn profiled at Scoop

20 Years at Gemstone: J.C. Vaughn

Scoop April 17 2015
http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/Home/4/1/73/1017?ArticleID=162533

Michael O’Connell talks comics journalism with Dan Archer

#143 – Comics create immersive experience

by — Michael O'Connell
ItsAllJournalism  April 17, 2015
http://itsalljournalism.com/143-comics-create-immersive-experience/

Comics journalist Dan Archer uses his artwork to tell immersive stories. (Photo by Michael O'Connell)

April 30 Animezing: The Tale of The Princess Kaguya

Animezing Series Presented by the JICC, Embassy of Japan The Tale of The Princess Kaguya Bonus Screening: Thursday, April 30, 6:30 p.m. Never miss another event!   Our Location: JICC, Embassy of Japan 1150 18th St, NW Suite 100 Washington, DC 20036 Driving Directions ©2013 Hatake Jimusho - GNDHDDTK | 2013 | 137 min | Rated PG | In Japanese with English subtitles | Directed by Isao Takahata Bonus Screening! Legendary Studio Ghibli co-founder Isao Takahata (Grave of the Fireflies, Pom Poko) revisits Japan's most famous folktale in this gorgeous, hand-drawn masterwork, decades in the making. Found inside a shining stalk of bamboo by an old bamboo cutter and his wife, a tiny girl grows rapidly into an exquisite young lady. The mysterious young princess enthralls all who encounter her - but ultimately she must confront her fate, the punishment for her crime.   From the studio that brought you Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and The Wind Rises comes a powerful and sweeping epic that redefines the limits of animated storytelling and marks a triumphant highpoint within an extraordinary career in filmmaking for director Isao Takahata.   Winner of Best Animated Feature at the Toronto Film Critics Association Awards (2015), Mainichi Film Concours (2013), Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards (2014), Boston Society of Film Critics Awards (2014), and the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (2014).   Nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards (2015), Annie Awards (2015), Japanese Academy Awards (2014), Blue Ribbon Awards (2013), and many more. Register Now! This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Please note that seating is limited and registration does not guarantee guests a seat. Registered guests will be seated on a first come, first served basis. Please contact us at jicc@ws.mofa.go.jp in the event of cancellation. Doors open at 6:00 pm. No admission or re-entry after 7:00 pm.

JICC, Embassy of Japan | 1150 18th St., NW | Suite 100 | Washington | DC | 20036

Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "I'm With Stupid"

"I'm With Stupid"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=1691

So, Hillary Clinton is taking another whack at becoming America's Margaret Thatcher -- as if we hadn't seen this coming since about 2009.

A lot's been made about the vacuous, smarmy campaign kickoff video, of course, but an equal amount of confusion and mockery has arisen around Hillary's campaign logo. Aside from the fact that it looks like the logo for a plus-size women's fashion warehouse outlet, there's also the matter of the arrow pointing to the right.

It goes without saying that a lot of your denser Liberals and Pwogwessives are puzzled; one Pwog tweeted to the effect that it's a mistake, and that the arrow wasn't pointing in the direction Mrs. Bill wanted to take the country in.

Oh, for Christ's sake, somebody tie me to a railroad track. Of course that's the direction she wants to take the country. This should be obvious to anyone who's been paying attention to Hillary ever since she carpetbagged her way into the Senate -- with her support for US/NATO bombing campaigns in Serbia, her support for the Patriot Act, her support for Israel, and the way she damn' near broke her neck rushing to support Bush's crimes in Iraq. You'd have to have been living in a cave for the past fifteen years (this would take in most Liberals) to not realize what a horrid, bloody, greedy warmongering neocon authoritarian she is.


___________________________________________________________
Mike Flugennock, flugennock at sinkers dot org
Political Cartoons: dubya dubya dubya dot sinkers dot org

Herb Trimpe, ace Marvel artist, has passed away

I grew up on Herb Trimpe's art, especially on the Hulk and Godzilla. I've met him a few times at cons and you can see my photos here.

John Romita Sr and Herb Trimpe at Baltimore Comic-Con 2007

Local cartoonist Shannon Gallant memorialized Herb on his blog.

Here's a longer obituary.

Cartoonists Rights Network International (CRNI) fundraising campaign ends, far short of goal

 

 

Cartoonists Rights Network International - CRNI

 $2,120 USD raised

5% funded
22 funders

The Post notes an underserved Daredevil audience

Netflix makes a blind superhero accessible to blind audiences

By Alyssa Rosenberg
Act Four blog April 14 2015
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/act-four/wp/2015/04/14/netflix-makes-a-blind-superhero-accessible-to-blind-viewers/
 

Garry Trudeau on Charlie Hebdo massacre

'Doonesbury's' Garry Trudeau on free speech, responsible satire and Charlie Hebdo

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2015/04/14/doonesburys-garry-trudeau-on-free-speech-responsible-satire-and-charlie-hebdo/

Of Trudeau and Hebdo: How 15 top cartoonists really feel about satirical 'red lines'

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog April 14 2015
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2015/04/14/of-trudeau-and-hebdo-how-15-top-cartoonists-really-feel-about-satirical-red-lines/

Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "Historic Handshake"

More from DC's anarchist cartoonist...

"Historic Handshake"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=1689

So, this week at the Summit Of The Americas, President Sparkle Pony and Cuban leader Raul Castro met for the first time, shaking hands in what's being hailed as some kind of iconic moment. Needless to say -- for some otherworldly reason -- the US Left's nipples are exploding with delight.

I'd like to suggest that my fellow US lefties calm the hell down -- after all, this is President Drone Strike we're talking about here, and he's obviously trying to corral the Pwogwessives back onto the Democratic reservation for the 2016 Electoral Freak Circus.

More importantly, I really do hope Mr. Castro has the sense to look the hell out, and not turn his back for a moment. After, this is President Drone Strike he's dealing with here.


___________________________________________________________
Mike Flugennock, flugennock at sinkers dot org
Political Cartoons: dubya dubya dubya dot sinkers dot org

SPX 2014 Panels

SPX 2014 Panel - Comics Workshop presented by the Sequential Artists Workshop

SmallPressExpo

 Apr 3, 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4KhhUkTsZk#t=3126

Comics educators Josh Bayer and Sally Cantirino from the Sequential Artists Workshop (SAW) in Gainesville, FL, guide the audience through a complete cartooning exercise. A fun, educational creative workshop for everyone, from experienced cartoonists to those who have never drawn a panel of comics.

SPX 2014 Panel - Inkstuds Live: Michael DeForge, Simon Hanselmann and Patrick Kyle

SmallPressExpo

 Apr 3, 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiXyPNjIlcc

Inkstuds host Robin McConnell takes his popular comics-focused radio show on the road with special guest co-host Brandon Graham in tow, in a series of live Inkstuds programs. In Bethesda, Michael DeForge (Lose #6), Simon Hanselmann (Megahex), and Patrick Kyle (Distance Mover) will kick off their own book tour live on stage as McConnell and Graham's special guests.

April 16: Exhibition Program: Superheroes, Rock Stars, and Scars at the Textile Museum

Exhibition Program: Superheroes, Rock Stars, and Scars

Mark Newport is a textile artist featured in the Textile Museum's Unraveling Identity exhibition. He will discuss the development of his work exploring the relationship between pop culture icons, memory, and the body.

Free, but registration is required. Register online or call (202) 994-7394.

Mark Newport, "Batman 2" (detail), United States, 2005. Collection of the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian. Image courtesy of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

When

Thursday, April 16, 2015

6:00pm

Where

The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum

Tom King interviewed on CBR TV

CBR TV: "Grayson" Co-Writer King Connects CIA Past to DC Comics Future.

Albert Ching,

Comic Book ResourcesApril 11th, 2015
http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/cbr-tv-grayson-co-writer-king-connects-cia-past-to-dc-comics-future/

April 18: Weingarten and Shansby

On Sateurday, April 18, Gene Weingarten and Eric Shansby will talk their book Me and Dog at the Bethesda library at 2 pm.

DC X-Men collector featured online

Shelf Porn | An inspired — and inspiring — X-Men collection

by JK Parkin | April 11, 2015
http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2015/04/shelf-porn-an-inspired-and-inspiring-x-men-collection/

Featuring Marshall Bailly's collection which can also be seen on his Facebook page.https://www.facebook.com/marshall.baillyii/media_set?set=a.10100943795518085.1073741871.7405191&type=1&l=54d438a62d

Keith Knight interviewed by Comic Riffs

'They Shoot Black People, Don't They?': Keith Knight's tragically timeless comics [Q&A]

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog April 10 2015

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2015/04/10/they-shoot-black-people-dont-they-keith-knights-tragically-timeless-comics-qa/

Paul Merklein, Dabney and Dad

by Mike Rhode

Paul Merklein recently tossed a message over our virtual transom about a cartooning class he's conducting in Arlington on April 19th. We took the opportunity to make him answer our usual questions.

What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

I currently draw my cartoon "Dabney and Dad', which you can read here... https://www.facebook.com/dabneyanddad

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

I still love pen & ink, but I'm planning to start coloring with Photoshop soon.

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

1963 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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

My wife & I moved to Silver Spring MD in June 2009, and we love DC.

What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

I have freelanced cartoons to newspapers, magazines, books, online media - and even church newsletters - since I was in college in the 80's.

Who are your influences?

Peter Arno, Charles Addams, Matt Groening & Charles Schulz. I admit that I still read The Family Circus.

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

I would stop trying to copy the style of greater cartoonists.

What work are you best-known for?

Fame has eluded me so far, but this interview may change that.

What work are you most proud of?

I drew cartoons for several Milwaukee newspapers in the 80's & 90's, and I always enjoyed getting "hate mail".

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

An illustrated novel. Something like "Dabney and Dad go to Las Vegas."

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

I take a walk in my neighborhood.

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

I use social media to engage my audience, then I market my cartoons & services to them.

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

My teenage son & I have attended most of the local comic cons, and The Small Press Expo is my favorite. A few years ago, we were sitting in the audience listening to Jeff Smith (creator of Bone) and I recognized a famous cartoonist from The New Yorker sitting next to me.

What's your favorite thing about DC?

The variety & diversity of people here.

Least favorite?

The Beltway.

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

If the weather is nice, I take visiting relatives & friends for a walk on The National Mall, and lunch on U Street.

How about a favorite local restaurant?

I eat at Ben's Chili Bowl whenever I can. My family loves The Big Greek Cafe in downtown Silver Spring.

 Do you have a website or blog?

You can see me drawing & teaching here... https://www.facebook.com/greatbigfaces

Starting April 19, I'm teaching Cartooning at The Walter Reed Community Center in Arlington VA. Here is the link to register for my class, which is 320122 - Cartooning.

The Post blogs on women and comic books

'God's Not Dead,' Lady Thor, and when new audiences come to old media

By Sonny Bunch
Washington Post Act Four blog April 9 2015
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/act-four/wp/2015/04/09/gods-not-dead-lady-thor-and-when-new-audiences-come-to-old-media/

The Post on Daredevil tv series

'Marvel's Daredevil': A blind hero with a clearer vision for comic-book TV [in print as 'Daredevil': A comic-book show with unusual vision].

By Hank Stuever
Washington Post April 10 2015

online at http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/marvels-daredevil-a-blind-hero-with-a-clearer-vision-for-comic-book-tv/2015/04/09/1130b438-de08-11e4-a500-1c5bb1d8ff6a_story.html

and this ran online and in the Express:

'Daredevil': Marvel/Netflix's kickoff series is a creative bull's-eye [in print as Marvel's 'Daredevil' is a creative bull's eye, Express, April 8 2015, p. 19]

By David Betancourt April 6 2015
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2015/04/06/daredevil-marvelnetflixs-kickoff-series-is-a-creative-bulls-eye/

Charlie Cox stars as Matthew Murdock (and the titular superhero) in "Marvel's Daredevil" on Netflix. (Barry Wetcher/Netflix)

April 30: Signe Wilkinson and Ann Telnaes Discuss Political Cartooning

---

NEWS from the LIBRARY of CONGRESS

April 10, 2015

Public contact: Martha H. Kennedy (202) 707-9115, mkenn@loc.gov
Request ADA accommodations five business days in advance at (202) 707-6362 or ada@loc.gov

Cartoonists Signe Wilkinson and Ann Telnaes Discuss
Political Cartooning in Today's World

Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonists Signe Wilkinson and Ann Telnaes will share their perspectives on the art of political cartooning and show examples of their own cartoons, in a panel discussion at the Library of Congress.

The program, "'That's Not Funny!': Signe Wilkinson and Ann Telnaes on Cartooning in a Charlie Hebdo World," will start at noon on Thursday, April 30, in Dining Room A on the sixth floor of the Library's James Madison Building, 101 Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, D.C.  The event is free and open to the public.  No tickets are needed.

Wilkinson and Telnaes will address several topics that currently affect a political cartoonist's approach to his or her work.  The panel will be moderated by Martha H. Kennedy, curator of popular and applied graphic art in the Prints and Photographs Division at the Library of Congress.

Each cartoonist will be asked to describe her initial reaction to the murders of five cartoonists at Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris on Jan. 7, 2015, and her responses in cartoon and other formats.  Wilkinson and Telnaes will share their perceptions about collective responses to the events from the cartooning community.

The broader, related issue of exercising freedom of expression in the art of cartooning also will be discussed by the cartoonists.  Both will show, and comment on, their own cartoons that have triggered controversy and aroused strong negative and/or positive responses.

Wilkinson is the editorial cartoonist for The Philadelphia Daily News and Telnaes creates animated editorial cartoons and a blog of print cartoons, animated gifs and sketches for The Washington Post.  The only women so far to have won the Pulitzer Prize for their political cartoons, each also has won many other prestigious awards in the field.  They are among a small number of women who pursue political cartooning as their main professional focus.  Both will comment on their own experiences as women in a cartoon specialty heavily dominated by men.

The program, co-sponsored by the Prints and Photographs Division, the Swann Foundation for Caricature and Cartoon and the Interpretive Programs Office, complements the Library of Congress exhibition "Pointing Their Pens: Herblock and Fellow Cartoonists Confront the Issues," which features the editorial cartoons of Herbert L. Block (1909-2001) shown alongside the work of his contemporaries over four decades.  Curated by Sara W. Duke of the Prints and Photographs Division, the exhibition explores the art and expressive power of the editorial cartoon and allows for comparisons of the ways in which cartoonists react to and interpret current events, develop their own distinct visual vocabularies and convey their diverse political opinions.  The exhibit is on view through March 19, 2016 in the Graphic Arts Galleries, ground level, Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. S.E., Washington, D.C.

The panel is part of the Swann Foundation's continuing activities to support the study, interpretation, preservation and appreciation of original works of humorous and satiric art by graphic artists from around the world.  The foundation's advisory board is comprised of scholars, collectors, cartoonists and Library of Congress staff members.  The foundation awards one fellowship annually to assist scholarly research and writing projects in the field of caricature and cartoon.  Applications for the 2016-2017 academic year will be due Monday, Feb. 15, 2016.  For more information, visit www.loc.gov/rr/print/swann/swannhome or e-mail swann@loc.gov

The Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division holds more than 15 million photographs, drawings and prints from the 15th century to the present day.  International in scope, these visual collections represent a uniquely rich array of human experience, knowledge, creativity and achievement, touching on almost every realm of endeavor: science, art, invention, government and political struggle, and the recording of history.  For more information, visit www.loc.gov/rr/print/.     

The Library of Congress, the nation's oldest federal cultural institution and the largest library in the world, holds more than 160 million items in various languages, disciplines and formats.  The Library serves the U.S. Congress and the nation both on-site in its reading rooms on Capitol Hill and through its award-winning website at www.loc.gov. 

# # #

PR15-60
04/16/15
ISSN: 0731-3527

Follow us on Twitter twitter.com/librarycongress | Blogs blogs.loc.gov | News loc.gov/today

Library of Congress | 101 Independence Ave SE | Washington DC 20540-1610 USA  | 202.707.2905

More on Frank Cho's Spider-Gwen drawing

Personally I'm appalled that 1.) Marvel brought back Gwen Stacey again, 2.) published comics a couple of years ago where she's sleeping with Norman "Green Goblin" Osborne (ick), and 3.) has now given her Spider-Man's powers. Obviously Peter Parker isn't special because pretty much anyone can be Spider-X now.

Anyway, here's some stories:

Frank Cho Draws Manara-Style Spider-Gwen Cover, Catches Flack, Draws Harley Quinn Cover in Response

Written by Jude Terror on Wednesday, April 08 2015
http://www.theouthousers.com/index.php/news/131194-frank-cho-draws-manara-style-spider-gwen-cover-catches-flack-draws-harley-quinn-cover-in-response.html

Spider-Gwen Creator Robbi Rodriguez on Frank Cho Cover: "Be Lucky You're Never Around Me"

Written by Jude Terror on Thursday, April 09 2015
http://www.theouthousers.com/index.php/news/131207-spider-gwen-creator-robbi-rodriguez-on-frank-cho-cover-be-lucky-youre-never-around-me.html

April 15: Ben Acker Skyping at Fantom Comics

Convention Scene reports a Skype appearance by Ben Acker at Fantom Comics:

"BEYOND BELIEF #1" Discussion w/Ben Acker!

• Wednesday, April 15 at 7:00pm Next Week · 70°F / 46°F Clear

• Show Map Fantom Comics 2010 P St NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20036

Ladies and gents, hold onto your martini glasses and gird your metaphysical loins, Frank and Sadie Doyle have made the leap to the funny pages and now come to you in pulp format!

Beyond Belief #1 (of 4) drops today, and to celebrate, we've got a very special guest!

We are overjoyed to welcome Ben Acker, co-creator of THE THRILLING ADVENTURE HOUR podcast, will skyp in to discuss his creative process for new comics series, "Sparks Nevada" and "BEYOND BELIEF #1"

'Old Time D.C.' photo

The Facebook group Old Time D.C., which features old photos of Washington, posted the one below, with the caption: "Reading a comic on a Southwest stoop, 1942 [photo by Gordon Parks via The Library of Congress]"

Voice actor Stan Freberg's obituary in The Post

Stan Freberg, antic visionary of comedy and advertising, dies at 88

By Matt Schudel April 9 2015
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/stan-freberg-antic-visionary-of-comedy-and-advertising-dies-at-88/2015/04/08/354ab0ee-ddf9-11e4-be40-566e2653afe5_story.html

Today: Lost in NYC at Politics and Prose and Takoma Library

Thursday, April 9

10:30 a.m at Politics & Prose and 7:30 p.m. at Takoma Library (MD) - Nadja Spiegelman and Sergio Garcia Sanchez - Lost in NYC: A Subway Adventure

City Paper's Best of D.C. 2015 winners

Fantom Comics gets the nod from the paper's staff - http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/bestofdc/goodsandservices/2015/best-comic-shop

Carolyn Belefski is a runner-up for reader votes - http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/bestofdc/poll/artsandentertainment/2015/best-visual-artist

Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "Phrygian Capitol"

Hey, now, Free DC! Got those Phrygian Caps ready? Because it's just about time for the DC Democracy Vigil on Tax Day, April 15. Find out more and RSVP at the DC Cannabis Coalition:
http://dcmj.org/dc-democracy-vigil/

"...At the beginning of this year we sought volunteers to staff a DC Democracy Vigil. Had Congress moved to overturn Initiative 71, we planned to stage at 24 hour a day vigil to highlight our discontent. But after our meeting last week with Representative Jason Chaffetz's staff, where we offered him a chance to reset relations with DC residents, we came away thinking Congressional leaders are not going to lift a finger for us! We have no choice but to escalate protests NOW to ruin their fake "freedom" brand and see them exposed for what they are: Oppressors."

So... y'ever wonder why the Statue Of Freedom on top of the Capitol Dome isn't wearing a Phrygian Cap? Check it out here...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phrygian_cap

"...In 1854, when sculptor Thomas Crawford was preparing models for sculpture for the United States Capitol, Secretary of War Jefferson Davis (later to be the President of the Confederate States of America) insisted that a Phrygian cap not be included on a Statue of Freedom, on the grounds that "American liberty is original and not the liberty of the freed slave". The cap was not included in the final bronze version that is now in the building."


___________________________________________________________
Mike Flugennock, flugennock at sinkers dot org
Political Cartoons: dubya dubya dubya dot sinkers dot org

Holy slot machines, Batman!

The Maryland Live! Casino in Hanover, Md., has a special promotion called the Batman Classic TV Series Slot. It's also doing a giveaway later this month of a Batmobile replica. Of course, you gotta gamble to be eligible to participate in the drawing.

April 13: Gene Weingarten at Kramerbooks

In addition to humorous writing, he's also one of the writers of the comic strip Barney & Clyde and an author of a chapter in The Art of Richard Thompson.

Kramerbooks Presents an Evening of Humorous Readings

• Monday, April 13 at 8:00pm

• Show Map Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe & Grill 1517 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20036

What is it? It's an evening of humorous readings--like the kind you'd see in McSweeney's, or Shouts and Murmurs--live and in person.

Also, it's free, and you can buy beer. Invite your friends!

Hosted by:
Brian Agler (The New Yorker, McSweeney's, Splitsider)

Featuring:
Jenn Tisdale (The Kennedy Center, Bentzen Ball)
Stephen Mann (Hot Hot Phone)
Justin Droms (Cracked)
Gene Weingarten (Washington Post)

Lovecraft, Tesla and John Reilly

by Mike Rhode

Less than a week ago, I'd never heard of John Reilly, but ComicsDC's scouts are constantly on the job. Today, I know that the first collection of his Herald: Lovecraft & Tesla out tomorrow in comic book stores throughout the country, and I've put in my order for it, and put the comic on my subscription list. Without further ado, here's John's answers to our usual questions.

What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

I write the ongoing series from Action Lab called Herald: Lovecraft & Tesla. 

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

Thankfully, I don't do any of the artwork as it would likely look terrible - that job falls on Tom Rogers (who's out near Portland) and Dexter Weeks (who lives in Jersey).

How did you get into writing comics?

The comic was born one evening when my wife picked up a shirt with a print by Travis Pitts - By Appointment Only - which has Lovecraft & Tesla together. When we realized it wasn't already a comic, we spent the rest of the evening feverishly discussing all the amazing plotlines that would be possible. I spent the next year planning 54 issues before writing the first script, which was the first comic I'd ever written; everything up till that point was just an excited hobby. So, to answer your question, I have no idea how any of this happened.

How did you come to work w/ your co-creators?

Finding an artist who can knock out quality pages on a regular basis is the hardest part, so we spent quite a while searching conventions and online portfolios before we found Tom. The style he's using for Herald is exactly what we wanted - not so gritty that it looks like we're taking ourselves too seriously, but not so cartoony that we can't have dramatic/suspenseful moments. Dex is a friend of the family with roughly fifteen years experience in the industry, including work on Image titles like Avengelyne. To wrangle them on the project, we pitched the idea like anyone else would and made them co-creators. 

How many issues of the comic are out now? Where can you buy it locally?

The first 3 issues are out now and you can buy it at any comic store, including Big Planet Comics and (I'm told) Comic Logic opening soon in Ashburn. On April 8th, our first TPB of 1-3 comes out, "History in the Making." 

Is it listed in Previews, the monthly magazine for ordering comics?

We're listed in Previews with Action Lab's titles. This month you can see Tom's EC Comics homage with our cover to issue #4, with special guest Mark Twain. 

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

 I was born near Philly in 1978.

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

I'm living in Sterling, VA now and I teach English and writing courses at NVCC.

What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

I have no training in the visual arts, but I've got some powerful skills when it comes to crocheting.

Who are your influences?

Brian K. Vaughn, Neil Gaiman, Joss Whedon, Joseph Heller, Kurt Vonnegut, and Shakespeare (for good measure).

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

My career has just started, but if if I could go back, I'd start it sooner. 

What work are you best-known for?

 I'm not really known for anything unless people mistake me for veteran character actor John C. Reilly, who has an impressive oeuvre.

What work are you most proud of?

Is it cliche to say you're most proud of your kids? Herald is a close second.

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

I'd love to take a crack at writing a short arc for a Marvel or DC title, but I suppose everyone would. 

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

The trick to avoiding writer's block is to keep a regular pace - you have to stop writing when you want to continue and force yourself to start when you don't want to. That sounds crazy, but if you can hit a regular quota each day and leave some ideas for tomorrow, you'll find everything gets done and there are less patches of downtime. This romantic idea we have of a writer waiting to be struck by a thunderbolt of inspiration doesn't exist - you make it happen, even if it hurts or feels forced. Later, you revise the hell out of it and walk away proud.

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

I'm still trying to figure out the present state of comics before I could opine on its future, but I'll take a shot: robots are going to be HUGE in the next decade.

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

The first three issues of Herald are relatively new, so we haven't had much convention presence. I'll be at San-Diego this year with Action Lab, and as more issues are released (we have 54 planned), I'd like to hit SPX, Awesome, and Baltimore when they're next up.

What's your favorite thing about DC?

The National Mall and surrounding area is a unique experience, culturally and intellectually. I love that DC feels like NYC without the claustrophobia.

Least favorite?

The traffic and parking.

What monument or museum do like to take visitors to?

My soft spot is the American History museum, but some of the Air and Space exhibits genuinely affect me sometimes.

Do you have a website or blog?

You can reach us @ facebook.com/HeraldComic, twitter.com/HeraldComic, and HeraldComic@gmail.com.

I haven't had time to watch it yet, but Terence Dollard's Comic Culture videocast has an interview with John online.

Sandwiches in comics

Arlingtonian food designer Lisa Cherkasky did a short blog post about comics and sandwiches recently, although she skipped the ocean of references that Blondie would bring in. Instead she went with thoughts about indy cartoonist Marc Bell.

Personally, I now wonder if any of Dagwood's sandwiches would be worth eating.... Lisa? Want to build some?

Good Comics for Kids on Zodiac Starforce

Dark Horse Comics Picks Up Magical Girl Zodiac Starforce

April 6, 2015 By Lori Henderson
http://blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids/2015/04/06/dark-horse-comics-picks-up-magical-girl-zodiac-starforce/

Mutts play wins award says Comic Riffs

'Mutts': Patrick McDonnell 'grateful' for 'Gift of Nothing's' new Helen Hayes Award

By Michael Cavna April 7 2015

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2015/04/07/mutts-patrick-mcdonnell-grateful-for-gift-of-nothings-new-helen-hayes-award/

April 11: Jiim Zub at Third Eye Comics

SATURDAY 4/11/15: International TableTop Day with special guest WAYWARD writer JIM ZUB

 

That darn Flashbacks

A condensed version of history

Daniel Lovelace, Williamsburg

Washington Post April 4 2015
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/a-condensed-version-of-history/2015/04/02/a6450252-d7c0-11e4-bf0b-f648b95a6488_story.html

The Mary Sue takes exception to a Frank Cho drawing

Just Because You Can, Doesn't Mean You Should

C'mon now.

by Sam Maggs
The Mary Sue April 6th 2015
http://www.themarysue.com/spider-gwen-sketch-cover/

Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "Phrygian Protest!"

"Phrygian Protest!"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=1680

Hey, there, Free DC! Time to bust out your Phrygian Caps and get together for the Tax Day protest at Congress, featuring the DC Cannabis Coalition's legendary Liberty Pole!

___________________________________________________________
Mike Flugennock, flugennock at sinkers dot org
Political Cartoons: dubya dubya dubya dot sinkers dot org

SPX 2014 Panel - Micro-Press and Beyond

SPX 2014 Panel - Micro-Press and Beyond

SmallPressExpo Apr 3, 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNA4ZDi0H2I

Robyn Chapman has been documenting the movement in comics towards very small publishing, otherwise know as micro-publishing. Robyn briefly shares findings from her upcoming publication (The Tiny Report: Micro-Press Yearbook 2013) and speaks with a range of publishers—from the micro-press to traditional small press—to discuss how they print, sell, and distribute their comics. Panelists include Chuck Forsman (Oily Comics), Keenan Marshall Keller (Drippy Bone Books), Justin Skarhus and Raighne Hogan (2D Cloud), and Anne Koyama (Koyama Press).

Cartooning Classes Press Release

This came in over the e-transom. I don't know Mr. Merklein yet.

PRESS RELEASE

Do you like drawing cartoons?  Do you want to be a cartoonist?

Washington DC-based cartoonist Paul Merklein is teaching 2 Cartooning
Classes starting Sunday April 19 at The Walter Reed Community Center in
Arlington, Virginia.

Classes focus on writing and drawing cartoons, and how to get your
cartoons published.  Bring your ideas and talent, and get ready to have
fun!

Paul Merklein's cartoons have appeared in newspapers, magazines, books and
online media since he was a college student in the 80's.

The first Cartooning Class is already almost full, but the second class is
open to teens, tweens and adult students.

To register, click here  -
https://registration.arlingtonva.us/wsc/webtrac.wsc/wbsearch.html?wbsi=a16bb969-0520-b2a3-e411-6dd6dc79db7f
- and select "Drawing/Painting" classes.

You can also register at Paul Merklein's Facebook page here...
https://www.facebook.com/greatbigfaces

See Paul Merklein's new cartoons here...
https://www.facebook.com/dabneyanddad

Thanks,

Paul Merklein

Barney & Clyde slips one into the Post

The Washington Post regularly censors the cartoons it runs, but Gene and Dan Weingarten and David Clark slipped not one, but two pubic hair jokes into the April 4, 2015 strip that ran in the paper. It's online here.