Monday, December 21, 2015

Jan 6: One Year After Charlie Hebdo at the Newseum

Newseum Institute

One Year After Charlie Hebdo

Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016 at 2 p.m.
Knight Studio at the Newseum
555 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C.


This program is free and open to the public. Registration is required.

RSVP >

Join the Newseum Institute and Reporters Without Borders for a discussion of the impact world-wide on a free press and free expression after the terrorist attacks on the Charlie Hebdo magazine staff on Jan. 7, 2015, and on the public at multiple sites in Paris eleven months later. Panelists will include experts from the U.S. in the Knight Studio and online participants from France.

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "Hoorah, sledding!"


"Hoorah, sledding!"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=1821

The latest Congressional spending bill prevents the District Of Columbia from funding abortion services for poor women and regulating and taxing the sale of marijuana. They did, however, repeal the ban on sledding on the Capitol grounds, after a vigorous local outcry last winter.

Apparently, they're still hurting from all the bad publicity they caught with the sledding ban, but could care less about all the ill will they get by restricting women's healthcare rights and the right to tax and regulate a plant that's been legal for nearly a year. Still, there's prime sledding opening up on the hill at the West Front, so there's that.

Friday, December 18, 2015

Comic book store is more than POW! BONK! BAM!

December 17, 2015 11:33 AM EST - Amidst the boom-and-bust cycles of the comic book industry, Big Planet Comics caters to both diehard superhero geeks and indie comic fans at four locations in the Washington, DC area. (Jorge Ribas / The Washington Post)

The Post reviews the non-Star Wars cartoon opening this weekend

Review: 'Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip' Features a Trip to Miami

By

A version of this review appears in print on December 18, 2015, on page C8 of the New York edition with the headline: Review: 'Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip' Features a Trip to Miami.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/18/movies/review-alvin-and-the-chipmunks-the-road-chip-features-a-trip-to-miami.html

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Holiday cheer, superhero style

A floor at an office building at 19th and L Sts. NW in D.C. dressed its windows to send a holiday message.


Catching up: The Post talked to Kelly Sue DeConnick this fall

'Bitch Planet's' Kelly Sue DeConnick on prison movies and nudity in art

'Bitch Planet' creator Kelly Sue DeConnick on football, prison labor and patriarchy

Act Four blog

Free Star Wars comic at Third Eye Comics in Annapolis today.

As most of you already know, we're pretty darn excited about the new STAR WARS: EPISODE VII movie -- and, because of that, we wanted to do something special for those of you who may be popping by to visit us on your way to see the film on 12/17! 
Pop by our Annapolis location (2027A WEST ST ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401), and mention this posting at the counter, and we'll hook you up with issue #1 of the STAR WARS: SHATTERED EMPIRE JOURNEY TO FORCE AWAKENS series... TOTALLY FREE!
Even better -- this is an EXCLUSIVE Third Eye Comics variant of the issue #1, featuring a cover that you can only scoop from Third Eye by the very talented FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA!
If you end up taking home issue #1, falling in love with it, and wanting to read more, we've got issues 2,3, and 4 in stock to catch you up to the whole series, OR, you can just scoop the graphic novel, which collects all four into one volume!

Dec 20: Charlie Brown Christmas concert at National Gallery of Art

Eric Mintel Quartet featuring Central Bucks High School-West Chamber Choir

December 20 at 3:30
West Building, West Garden Court

http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/calendar/concerts/seventy-fourth/eric-mintel-quartet-featuring-central-bucks-west-high-school-cho.html

http://www.nga.gov/content/dam/ngaweb/calendar/concerts/pdfs/ngaconcerts-74-12-20.pdf

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of A Charlie Brown Christmas.  

City Paper notices Big Planet Vienna's ultimatum

Feb 12-14: Katsucon at National Harbor

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Jan. 30: Exploring Historical Comics

The "Exploring Historical Comics" at the National Museum of American History has been re-scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 30, 12:30-3:30 p.m. The event will feature the museum's Youth Civic Engagement Program, representatives from Hirshhorn’s ARTLAB+, Rebecca Goldfield, author of Captive of Friendly Cove, Troy Allen and Evan Keeling, contributor to District Comics and Andrew Aydin, co-author of March.

Jason Rodriguez on public radio

On Second Thought radio December 16, 2015: Umano Clothing | Artists Against Police Brutality | Artists Who Own
http://www.gpb.org/on-second-thought/episodes/386
https://soundcloud.com/onsecondthought/full-show-december-16-2015


"And there's a long standing connection between activism and art. Art has been used in social and political movements throughout history to inspire change. Now, a creative anthology takes a stand against violence at the hands of law enforcement. It's called "Artists Against Police Brutality" and features a collection of comic strips, flash fiction, and essays from artists and writers across the country. The proceeds from the book go to The Innocence Project. Host Celeste Headlee speak with Jason Rodriguez, who edited the anthology, and Georgia artist Melanie Stevens about art's role in the Black Lives Matter movement."

Marc Nobleman on Bill Finger's contributions to Batman

The creators of Batman and Superman have an incredible story to tell; Marc Tyler Nobleman brings attention to comic book writers and artists who went unrecognized [in print as Superhero creators get origin stories]

If you go
What: Marc Tyler Nobleman, above, will talk about his books and the secrets behind Superman and Batman.
Where: Bethesda Library,
7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, Maryland.
When: Saturday at 2 p.m.
How much: Free.
Best for: Age 8 and older.
For more information: A parent can call 240-777-0970 or check montgomerycountymd.gov/library.

Comic Riffs on Charlie Hebdo book

From beyond grave, Charlie Hebdo editor's last manifesto preaches against hate



Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Library of Congress puts Book Festival 2015 videos online

Library of Congress put the National Book Festival 2015 videos online here.

Of specific interest to ComicsDC are:

Title: Stephan Pastis: Book Fest 15
Speaker: Stephan Pastis
Event Date: 2015/05/09
Running Time: 55 minutes

Title: Graphic Novels Panel 1: Book Fest 15
Speaker: Keith Knight ,Lalo Alcaraz ,Scott Stantis
Event Date: 2015/05/09
Running Time: 55 minutes

Title: Graphic Novels Panel 2: Book Fest 15
Speaker: Diane Noomin,Miss Lasko-Gross,Trina Robbins
Event Date: 2015/05/09
Running Time: 50 minutes

Title: Cece Bell: Book Fest 15
Speaker: Cece Bell
Event Date: 2015/05/09
Running Time: 32 minutes

Title: Jennifer Holm: Book Fest 15
Speaker: Jennifer L. Holm
Event Date: 2015/05/09
Running Time: 28 minutes

Title: Peter de Sève: Book Fest 15
Speaker: Peter de Sève
Event Date: 2015/05/09
Running Time: 43 minutes

March vol. 2 makes 'best of' list

The Good Comics for Kids 2015 Gift Guide

State Dept. blog on comic books

Kaboom! Comic books attack serious issues and find new fans.

Monday, December 14, 2015

New Iraq war graphic novel looked into on The Post's website

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Gil Rivera

by Mike Rhode

Gil Rivera
was selling prints of his comic book art concepts this past weekend at a holiday bazaar in Arlington. I took the opportunity to ask him to fill out our usual questionnaire.




What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

I do sequential art (i.e. storyboards, comic books, and character designs).

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

Traditional pencil and ink, then scanned into the computer and then colored with Adobe Photoshop.

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

I'm a late 70's kid, born in Laredo, TX, but raised in San Antonio.

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

My wife is active duty Air Force, so she plucked me out of Hollywood once we got married and now we reside in Alexandria, VA.

What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

Most of my training is self taught, however, now I'm enrolled at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh for Graphic Design.  I graduate in 12 weeks.

Who are your influences?

So many, but to name a few:  Will Eisner, Walt Simonson, Joe Mad, Bernard Chang, Ken Lashley, Todd McFarlane and so many others.

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


Start earlier, right out of high school.  Ignored the haters.

What work are you best-known for?

 S
toryboards for the "Theory of a Deadman" band's music video.

What work are you most proud of?

My current comic book "Nite Stalker."

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


A live-action Nite Stalker Trilogy.

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

Talk to my writing partner Christopher Paul Campbell, CEO of Dead Light Films, a long-time friend and colleague, and bounce ideas around. Youtube all my favorite artists for inspiration.

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

I think we are the future now.  Comics are really starting to explode with all the new movies.  The next step is to get the young kids back to reading the books or maybe creating their own comics.

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

Since we are new in town, we just starting looking at all the upcoming conventions and shows.  I would like to attend all of them if I can.

What's your favorite thing about DC?


All the history, museums, monuments, and the Metro.

Least favorite?

The cold.

What monument or museum do like to take visitors to?

T
he Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum.

How about a favorite local restaurant?

Faccia Luna in Old Town Alexandria.

Do you have a website or blog?

Under Construction as we speak.



Sunday, December 13, 2015

Visiting the Guadalajara International Book Fair

By Matt Dembicki

I visited Mexico Nov. 30 through Dec. 4 thanks to the U.S. State Department, which invited me as a guest of the Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL), the largest book fest in Latin American and second largest in the world, bringing some 750,000 visitors over its two weeks. Usually the first thing I do at book fairs is walk around the expo floor to get a feel for the show and gauge the interest in comics. Not surprisingly, Star Wars, Marvel Comics and manga dominated the comics presence. But I was pleasantly surprised to see some fairly high exposure for indie comics, including Peter Kuper's new graphic novel Ruins. There were several local comics shops and distributors at the show, as well as larger publishers and distributors featuring comics. Below are a few photos of those booths.


















The American Library Association, which includes a comics artists alley at its annual show as well a good number of panel talks on comics, also had a booth at FIL. Part of its promotion included posters of Superman and Wonder Woman.



Much of my time in Guadalajara and later in the week Mexico City was spent doing presentations on using comics for certain topics/causes, from the environment and medical/health, to history and even food. I focused mainly on how I use comics to raise awareness about environmental issues. I also did several comics-making workshops, for young kids, college students and professional illustrators. Below are a few photos from those sessions, beginning with events at the kids section of FIL, and later going to local schools and even to the University of Guadalajara, which was also holding an annual cartoonist festival that week. 



















Photos by me, U.S. State Department and the University of Guadalajara