Thursday, June 16, 2016

The Post reflects on Finding Nemo

As 'Finding Dory' is released, why did 'Finding Nemo' connect so deeply with all ages?

Comic Riffs

Richard Thompson panel at 2011 Heroes Con

Heroes Con is going on this weekend in Charlotte, NC. Richard Thompson's mother was an orphan in the town, and the con is held right across the street from the former orphanage space.

We went down twice together, at the invitation of con owner Shelton Drum and his right-hand man, Dustin Harbin. Richard had a great time. Last night I stumbled across a recording that I had forgotten about, so I put it online.  I haven't listened to it since recording it, but here's Richard talking about Cul de Sac, and Parkinson's Disease.

Heroes Con 2011: Richard Thompson A Celebration


Published June 4, 2011


10:30 AM
Richard Thompson: A Celebration
Room 209 


Is Cul-De Sac the best comic strip being published today?
Perhaps, but one thing is for certain, it is the best drawn and the
funniest. Okay, that's two things. Please join Mike Rhode and
some fellow strip creators as we sit down and examine the art of Mr.
Thompson. In addition to discussing craft and daily deadlines, we will
see if Richard can provide any insight as to whether poor Petey will
make it through the entire soccer season without having a psychotic
breakdown. Ahhh, total Bliss (haven).

With Craig Fischer and Team Cul de Sac's Chris Sparks.

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Glen Weldon is live at Hooray for Books now

Retrofit / Big Planet Comics surveyed

A Retrofit Comics Survey

Comic Riffs on Kingdom Come

Elderly Batman and Superman? That's what the brilliant 'Kingdom Come' imagined 20 years ago

Comic Riffs J

Tonight: Glen Weldon on Batman in Alexandria

Wednesday, June 15th: Author, blogger, and regular NPR "Pop Culture Happy Hour" podcast contributor Glen Weldon will be at Hooray for Books! to present his newest book The Caped Crusade: Batman and the Rise of Nerd Culture. Weldon's work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, McSweeney's, and more. He is the recipient of an NEA Arts Journalism Fellowship, a Ragdale Writing Fellowship, and a PEW Fellowship in the Arts for Fiction. 7 pm.
 
In this witty, intelligent cultural history, NPR book critic Glen Weldon examines the trajectory of Batman's status in society -- and what Batman's story tells us about ourselves. Whether a two-fisted detective, a planet-hopping gadabout, a Pop-art sensation, or Christian Bale, Batman's endlessly mutable qualities speak to who we are and make the character endurable. In his interrogation into Batman, Weldon uses the character as a lens through which to examine contemporary geek culture.

Hooray for Books!

1555 King Street

Alexandria, VA 22314




Monday, June 13, 2016

Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "Delete Your Account"

From DC's resident anarchist cartoonist Mike Flugennock:


"Delete Your Account"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=1979


So, anyway, about a week or so ago, Donald Trump had one of his usual bigoted Tourette's outburts on Twitter -- nothing of note, really -- to which the Clinton campaign responded curtly, "Delete your account". Obviously, it wasn't the Ice Queen herself, but some mouthy intern who probably thought she was being all cool and edgy n'stuff.

Delete your account, I thought... was it perhaps really a command to the People to forget everything they know about the Clintons? You know, like:

Delete your account of Hill'n'Bill's excellent adventures in Serbia, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Sudan?

Delete your account of Hillary's tenure on the Board Of Directors of Wal-Mart, whose reputation with workers has been in the toilet for years?

Delete your account of Hillary carpetbagging her way into a New York Senate seat, where she accomplished exactly nothing except to build out the infrastructure for a Presidential campaign?

Delete your account of Hillary's support for the Patriot Act, the War On Terror, and the disaster in Iraq?

Delete your account of Hillary's support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement?

Delete your account of Hillary's remarks to the board of Goldman Sachs, for which she received $670,000? An average speech, for Hill, considering how much she and Bubba get per speech on any given speaking tour. Six-seventy large, man -- in some parts of this country, that'd still buy you a house.

That's just a slice of the lies, deceit, betrayal, greed and hypocrisy that Hillary, the DNC, and the aging Liberal establishment would like you to forget, so you can be "united".

Delete your account. Hell, if there's anybody who knows how to work a delete key, it's Hillary Clinton.


Sept 2016: Comic book artists in Delaware

Delaware Art Museum hosts famous fantasy, science fiction artists

SEE THE UNREAL, EXPERIENCE THE IMPOSSIBLE

Delaware Art Museum hosts famous fantasy, science fiction artists

http://www.delart.org/press-room/delaware-art-museum-hosts-famous-fantasy-science-fiction-artists/

WILMINGTON, DE 

Imaginative Realism combines classical painting techniques with narrative subjects, focusing on the unreal, the unseen, and the impossible. The Delaware Art Museum is partnering with IX Arts organizers to host the first IX Preview Weekend September 23 – 25, 2016 at the Museum, celebrating Imaginative Realism and to kick off IX9–the annual groundbreaking art show, symposium, and celebration dedicated solely to the genre. Imaginative Realism is the cutting edge of contemporary painting and illustration and often includes themes related to science fiction and fantasy movies, games, and books. A pop-up exhibition and the weekend of events will feature over 16 contemporary artists internationally recognized for their contributions to Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, Avatar, Marvel, DC Comics, Blizzard Entertainment, and Wizards of the Coast, among others.

The weekend will also include after-hours events, performances, exclusive workshops with artists, talks, film screenings, artist signings, live demos, and games. The artists represented include Greg Hildebrandt, illustrator of the original Star Wars poster; Boris Vallejo, who is famous for his illustrations of Tarzan and Conan the Barbarian; Charles Vess, whose award-winning work graced the covers of Marvel and DC Comics; and Donato Giancola, known for his paintings for Lucasfilm, DC Comics, Playboy Magazine, and the Syfy Channel.

Other featured artists include Julie Bell, Bob Eggleton, Rebecca Leveille-Guay, Ruth Sanderson, Jordu Schell, Matthew Stewart, William O'Connor, David Palumbo, Dorian Vallejo, Michael Whelan, and Mark Zug. Each artist will present original work in the pop-up show, covering the gamut from illustration through personal/gallery work in a wide range of mediums. All artists represented will be present at the Museum over the course of the weekend.

"When the Museum approached us about the possibility of doing an IX Weekend, we were immediately struck by the appropriateness of this particular partnership," says IX Arts co-founder Patrick Wilshire. "The Delaware Museum holds the country's finest collection of Pre-Raphaelite art and is also the definitive home for Howard Pyle and Brandywine illustrators. Many contemporary Imaginative Realist artists' work is founded in these past traditions."

The Imaginative Realism tradition harkens back to many of the great 19th century Romantic, Pre-Raphaelite and Victorian artists such as John Martin, Edward Burne-Jones, and John William Waterhouse, and moves through many of the great Golden Age illustrators of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including Howard Pyle and N.C. Wyeth, both well-represented in the Museum's collection. Rarely seen fantasy works from Pyle and other Golden Age illustrators will be displayed in the Museum's permanent collection galleries during IX Preview Weekend.

With the mass exposure to imaginative subjects that has come with science fiction and fantasy movies, games, and books throughout the 20th century and up to the present, the imagery of these artists is more deeply embedded in the public consciousness and popular culture than ever before.

Ticket and registration information will be available this summer. Visit delart.org for details and updates.

Click here for bios of the IX Preview Weekend artists.

About IX 9 and IX Arts

Launched in 2008, IX is the first, groundbreaking art show, symposium, and celebration dedicated solely to Imaginative Realism–bringing artists, students, collectors, and art fans together for an annual gathering intended to inspire and create further awareness and zeal for Imaginative Realism and the realm of the fantastic.

IX is the world's largest gathering of artists, students, and collectors of Imaginative Realist art. Each year, over 200 artists come to IX from around the world for five days to exhibit their work, finding inspiration and buyers in equal measure. Over the years, the show has been attended by artists from all over the United States, Canada, Spain, Australia, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Croatia, and the Netherlands, featuring well over 1,000 pieces of original art and countless books, prints, and other materials each year. In addition, art collectors from as far away as the United Kingdom and continental Europe attend annually.

IX 9 will be held in Reading, Pennsylvania at the GoogleWorks Center for the Arts October 19 – 23, 2016. For more information, visit imaginativerealism.org.

Sponsors and Partners

IX Arts is a partner for IX Preview Weekend. Support is provided in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com.

ABOUT THE DELAWARE ART MUSEUM

Founded in 1912, the Delaware Art Museum is best known for its large collection of British Pre-Raphaelite art, works by Wilmington-native Howard Pyle and fellow American illustrators, and urban landscapes by John Sloan and his circle. Visitors can also enjoy the outdoor Copeland Sculpture Garden and a number of special exhibitions throughout the year.

The Delaware Art Museum is located at 2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19806. Open Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., and Friday – Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday and Tuesday: Closed. Admission fees are charged as follows: Adults (19-59) $12, Seniors (60+) $10, Students (with valid ID) $6, Youth (7-18) $6, and Children (6 and under) free. Admission fees are waived Thursdays 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and Sundays 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. thanks to support from generous individuals. For more information, call 302-571-9590 or 866-232-3714 (toll free), or visit the website at delart.org.

Follow the Museum for details and updates:

Twitter: @delartmuseum
Facebook: delawareartmuseum
Instagram: @delartmuseum

 

For more information, contact:

Jessica Jenkins
Manager of Marketing & Public Relations
jjenkins@delart.org
302.351.8558

Nik Kowsar starts a blog

I can't say that I agree politically with his first strip, but he's a talented cartoonist so check it out.

June 25: Spongebob SquarePants at National Postal Museum

National Postal Museum's Family Day
Featuring Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants
June 25 | 10:00 am - 5:00 pm


Copyright 2016 Viacom International Inc. Created by Stephen Hillenburg
Come join in the adventures of the world's most lovable sponge and his friends at the Smithsonian's National Postal Museum on Saturday, June 25th from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.!

See the museum transformed into Bikini Bottom and participate in
nautical-themed activities, such as
games, sand castle building and much more - including a chance to
meet SpongeBob SquarePants!

This family day event offers a variety of educational and interactive experiences throughout the day, providing visitors of all ages opportunities to learn, engage and have fun. All activities are complimentary and offered on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Meet SpongeBob SquarePants -The world's most lovable sponge will be available to meet and greet his friends at the National Postal Museum! SpongeBob will be in the museum's atrium at regular intervals for pictures throughout the day, dressed in an extra-special pair of mail pants! (The SpongeBob SquarePants costume character will not be available all hours of the event.)

"Greetings from Bikini Bottom" Postcard Writing Station -The museum will be providing special pre-paid SpongeBob SquarePants postcards. Visitors are encouraged to send notes to friends and loved ones describing their fabulous "beach" trip, or just a simple hello!

SpongeBob SquarePants Episode Screenings - Curl up in a big, squishy beanbag and enjoy screenings of classic SpongeBob SquarePants episodes, as well as a brand new, never-before-seen episode. Episodes will be shown every hour, on the half hour.

Beach Games - Visitors can experience one of SpongeBob and Patrick's favorite pastimes - jelly fishing! And in a fun take on a popular classic, visitors can also try their hand at a dolphin ring toss. (Prizes available while supplies last.)

National Zoo Corner -Though he more closely resembles a kitchen sponge, SpongeBob is actually based on a sea sponge! Learn more about deep sea life with Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) as they share information about SpongeBob's real-life, underwater counterparts.

SpongeBob SquarePants Photo Booth - Visitors can document their experience by posing in a custom SpongeBob SquarePants photo booth. Guests are welcome to take home their printed photos, which will feature a Bikini Bottom motif.

Sand Castle Station - SpongeBob lives in a pineapple, and Patrick lives under a rock. But what is really found on the ocean floor? Sand! Visitors can get their hands dirty by building SpongeBob a new Bikini Bottom home using kinetic sand.

Coral Reef Community Mural -The museum will have special supplies for kids to make a unique contribution to a large community mural. Decorate a fish, mammal or other sea creature and choose a comfy spot for it to live.

Stamp Collecting Station - Visitors can select up to six free stamps to create their own topical stamp collection. Museum staff and volunteers will help children find stamps related to the ocean, wildlife, cartoon characters or other popular categories.

"Snail Mail" Story Time -Take a relaxing break with a story about an adorable snail who delivers mail for a living. Snail is resolute not to fail as a mail carrier, even when numerous challenges arise. Young children will be delighted by Snail's determination in this lively story with bright illustrations.

The National Postal Museum would like to thank and recognize Viacom as the sole sponsor of the event.

All ages welcome. Free; no registration required. All activities are complimentary and offered on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.  Unfortunately, the SpongeBob SquarePants costume character will not be available all hours of the event.
 

Nick Galifianakis on Peter de Seve

Peter de Sève, 2016 Hall of Fame Inductee

Nick Galifianakis
Cartoonist, The Washington Post
http://www.societyillustrators.org/Awards-and-Competitions/Hall-of-Fame/Current-Inductees/2016---Peter-de-S%C3%A8ve.aspx



Jared Smith at CAKE


My good friend Gene Kannenberg Jr took this shot of Retrofit / Big Planet Comics' Jared Smith at CAKE in Chicago this weekend.  Gene's academic site about comics is at http://www.comicsresearch.org/

Sunday, June 12, 2016

Today: Lucy Bellwood at Fantom Comics

Baggywrinkles Ahoy!
https://www.facebook.com/events/913351492115519/

Sunday, June 12 at 2 PM
Fantom Comics in Washington, District of ColumbiaPlease help us welcome LUCY BELLWOOD to DC for this very special BOOK RELEASE party of BAGGYWRINKLES: A LUBBER'S GUIDE TO LIFE AT SEA!!

This all-ages book covers everything we land lubbers need to know about the sailor's life, from the meaning of various nautical tattoos to what exactly a "fathom" covers and all of the essential details Lucy learned while sailing on the LADY WASHINGTON!

Join us for a day of sailing and adventure within the pages of this fantastic new graphic novel!


   


   



Saturday, June 11, 2016

Get rescued by Superman on a roller coaster

This is in PG County.

Virtual reality is revolutionizing the roller coaster experience


Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: #HesWithUs


From DC's anarchist cartoonist, Mike Flugennock:

#HesWithUs
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=1979

So, aaaanyway... Bernie and Obummer met at the White House this week to talk about the future of the Democratic party or someshit, but not before Obummer spews out a ringing endorsement of the Ice Queen. Russia Today says Bernie's not dropping out, but the Washington Post says he is. Seeing what the Post has queefed out the better part of this year, I'll go with Russia Today on this one.

If you ask me, though, Obummer endorsed Hillary, and then when Bernie showed up, Obummer and the Ice Queen took him around back to the Rose Garden, offed his ass, then dragged him out in front of the cameras when it was time for him to drop that mumbling about how he was going to "work with Clinton against Trump".

Don't forget that he said right from day one that he'd support the Ice Queen if she won the nomination.

Hell, he's not dead; he's just resting. He's pining for the fjords.


Friday, June 10, 2016

Polansky: ‘Intellectual property II: The Wrath of Con(s)’

Silver Spring, Md.-based intellectual property lawyer Seth Polansky discusses the issue of artist and copyright infringements at comic cons, which is garnering more attention. 

“The obvious legal answer is that all conventions should stop allowing the sale of infringing items, and attendees should refuse to purchase them,” he writes on his blog. “But I’m not naïve enough to think that attendees or organizers are going to stop any time soon.”


June 12: D.C. Conspiracy monthly meeting

The local comics collaborative the D.C. Conspiracy meets this Sunday at 5:30 at Madhatter at Dupont Circle. According to the Facebook event post: "We'll be upstairs, towards the back. Otherwise, just look for the sketchbooks. Bring a book and some pens, anything you're working on, printing, drawing or reading, or just come and hang."

June 24: Animezing!: Anthem of the Heart (2015)

Come join us for a free film at the JICC!
Japan Information and Culture Center
Anthem of the Heart
Anthem of the Heart | June 24, 2016 | Friday @ 6:30PM
Japanese w. English subtitles | Not Rated (Rec. 13+) | 120 min | 2015
© KOKOSAKE PROJECT
2016 Japan Academy Award Nominee for Best Animation

From the creators of the hit series and movie, Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, 「あの日見た花の名前を僕達はまだ知らない。」.
"I have feelings I can't tell anybody hidden deep in a shell inside of my heart. But, really, I want to shout it out…my honest feelings like a beautiful anthem is waiting to break free!"
Jun is a girl whose words have been sealed away. She was once a very happy girl, but because of a "certain thing" she said when she was very young, her family was torn apart. Then, an egg fairy appeared in front of her and sealed away her ability to talk in order to stop her from hurting anybody else. Since this traumatic experience, Jun lives in the shadows away from the limelight. Years later, she is nominated to become an executive member of the "community outreach council". On top of that, Jun is also appointed to play the main lead in their musical…     
- WOMEN IN CINEMA HIGHLIGHT -
Mari Okada, Screenwriter
A member of the Writers Guilde of Japan and one of the most prolific and well known anime screenwriters today, Mari Okada began her career in 1996 writing scenarios for direct-to-video features, video games, and radio dramas.  In 1998 she wrote the script for one episode of DT Eightron which began her career as a writer for anime. [read more...]
You are invited to
Friday, June 24th, 2016
from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM (EDT)
Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan
1150 18th St NW
Suite 100
Washington DC 20036 US
REGISTER NOW!
Event venue map
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. 

*** When registering you may receive an email asking you to "Activate your Eventbrite account" if you have never used Eventbrite before. It is NOT necessary to activate an account for you to attend this event and you may ignore this email from Eventbrite. ***

In the event of a cancellation, please contact us at jicc@ws.mofa.go.jp.

Doors open 30 minutes before the program. Program begins at 6:30PM.
No admittance after 7:00PM or once seating is full.


Registered guests will be seated on a first come, first served basis. Please note that seating is limited and registration does not guarantee a seat.
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