The Post on new animation movies

'The Secret Life of Pets': Animated film's humor is, like a dog whistle, subjective [in print as Not quite 'Woof!' but certainly not witty

By Michael O'Sullivan
Washington Post July 8 2016, p. Weekend 24
 https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/the-secret-life-of-pets-animated-films-humor-is-like-a-dog-whistle-subjective/2016/07/07/12f48a36-4385-11e6-88d0-6adee48be8bc_story.html

'The Secret Life of Pets' embraces girly power [in print as Pretty in 'Pets'" Girly Gidget isn't defined by looks].

By Kristen Page-Kirby
Express July 8 2016, p. 24
https://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2016/07/08/the-secret-life-of-pets-embraces-girly-power/

'Life, Animated': A young man's obsession with Disney helps him navigate autism [in print as Cartoon characters cut through the fog of autism].

By Ann Hornaday
Washington Post July 8 2016, p. Weekend 26
https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/life-animated-a-young-mans-obsession-with-disney-helps-him-navigate-autism/2016/07/07/7852a6c4-3e0d-11e6-80bc-d06711fd2125_story.html

July 9: Mark Wheatley at Dr Who Comics Day at Beyond Comics

Saturday, July 9th Doctor Who Comics Day! Get 25% OFF  Dr Who Comics* Meet Cover Artist - Mark Wheatley 11am to 3pm at our Frederick Location!  *Excludes New Arrivals! Frederick  5632 Buckeystown Pike  Frederick, MD 21704 301-668-8202   Gaithersburg  18749 N Frederick Ave  Gaithersburg,  MD 20879 301-216-0007 Shepherdstown 207 S. Princess St Shepherdstown, WV 25443 304-870-4039

Glen Weldon on the latest Iron Man

A Starkly Different Iron Man: Black, Female, And 15 Years Old

Glen Weldon

NPR.org July 6, 2016
http://www.npr.org/sections/monkeysee/2016/07/06/484945363/a-starkly-different-iron-man-black-female-and-15-years-old

i

The cover of Invincible Iron Man, with art by Jeff Dekal.

Marvel Comics

Today: Cook Korean! + Tales of the Night Watchman Release Party at Fantom Comics!

Cook Korean! + Tales of the Night Watchman Release Party at Fantom Comics!

Today at 6 PM - 9 PM

Fantom Comics

2010 P Street NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20036

PR: Small Press Expo Announces Celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Fantagraphics at SPX 2016

For Immediate Release Contact: Warren Bernard Email: warren@spxpo.com Small Press Expo Announces Celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Fantagraphics with Daniel Clowes, Joe Sacco, Trina Robbins, Jaime & Gilbert Hernandez and Others   Bethesda, Maryland; July 7, 2016 Media Release - Small Press Expo is proud to announce that SPX 2016 will celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Fantagraphics with an all-star line-up and special events. Founded in 1976 by Gary Groth and Michael Catron, in the ensuing years Fantagraphics provided the foundation for today's wealth of indie comics, graphic novels and comic's criticism. Fantagraphics also gave some of the most acclaimed names in indie comics their start in the comic's world, with many of those names appearing at SPX 2016.   This year's show will host a rare festival appearance by the esteemed Joe Sacco, along with Trina Robbins first appearance at SPX. Mr. Sacco, Ms. Robbins, Daniel Clowes and The Hernandez Brothers will be joined by several of Fantagraphics other critically and commercially successful authors, Carol Tyler, Jim Woodring, Drew Friedman and Ed Piskor, for this celebration.   Events around the celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Fantagraphics include: Publisher Gary Groth will give the SPX Lecture at the Library of Congress on Friday September 16 at Noon in the Madison Building. There will be a separate track of programming at SPX 2016 dedicated to Fantagraphics and its creators, with details to be announced mid-August. Attendees will be able to get an SPX exclusive, a free newsprint commemorative booklet with artwork by Fantagraphic artists. Over the next few weeks, additional guests for SPX 2016 will be announced and in August we will announce the 2016 Ignatz nominees, the full programming slate and the recipient of the SPX Graphic Novel Gift Program, the first of its kind program that gifts graphic novels to local library systems.   SPX 2016 takes place on Saturday and Sunday, September 17-18, and will have over 650 creators, 280 exhibitor tables and 22 programming slots to entertain, enlighten and introduce attendees to the amazing world of independent and small press comics.   Small Press Expo (SPX) is the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels, and alternative political cartoons. SPX is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit that brings together more than 650 artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers, and distributors each year. Graphic novels, mini comics, and alternative comics will all be on display and for sale by their authors and illustrators. The expo includes a series of panel discussions and interviews with this year's guests.   The Ignatz Award is a festival prize held every year at SPX recognizing outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning, with the winners chosen by attendees at the show. As in previous years, profits from the SPX will go to support the SPX Graphic Novel Gift Program, which funds graphic novel purchases for public and academic libraries, as well as the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), which protects the First Amendment rights of comic book readers and professionals. For more information on the CBLDF, visit their website at http://www.cbldf.org. For more information on the Small Press Expo, please visit http://www.smallpressexpo.com. Copyright © 2016 Small Press Expo, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Small Press Expo P.O. Box 5704 Bethesda, Maryland 20824

July 7: Cartoonists draw blood exhibit opens

On Thursday, July 7th, from 6:30-8:00 pm, come visit the Takoma Park Community Center for the official opening of the "Cartoonists Draw Blood" art exhibit, featuring a diverse display of some of the DC area's finest cartoon and comics-making talent. There will be refreshments and live drawing, as well as books available for purchase. Organized by Carolyn Belefski, of Curls Studio fame, the project began a couple of years back when a small band of local comics/cartoon creators from the DC region got together to draw and give away original art work to folks who stopped by a local Red Cross to donate blood. Many of the participating artists themselves donated blood as well! So, if you're in the area, don't hesitate to check this event out, as you'll be in for an excellent show. (reprinting Steve Artley's earlier post)

Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "#NoDARKAct"

From DC's Anarchist cartoonist, Mike Flugennock:

"#NoDARKAct"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=2001

The so-called "DARK Act", working its way through the US Senate, is a pro-corporate bill full of loopholes disguised as a GMO labeling bill which, in fact, hides GMO information behind QR codes and toll-free telephone numbers.

Prior to the Senate vote yesterday, my long-time comrade Adam Eidinger and his pals from the Organic Consumers Association protested the influence of Monsanto in the Senate by flinging money -- yep, that's right, $2000 in real cash money -- onto the floor of the Senate.

Find out more about the DARK Act at the Organic Consumers Association:
https://www.organicconsumers.org/news/dark-act-fact-sheet

Robin Ha at Paste Magazine

When Comics and Cooking Meet: Robin Ha and Cook Korean!

By Cynthia R. Greenlee  |  July 5, 2016
https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2016/07/when-comics-and-cooking-meet-robin-ha-and-cook-kor.html?a=1

Comic Riffs on SPX

SPX 2016 announces slate of alt-comics greats to celebrate Fantagraphics Books' 40th

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs July 7 2016
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/07/07/spx-2016-announces-slate-of-alt-comics-greats-to-celebrate-fantagraphics-books-40th/

Vision and Zodiac Starforce recommendations

20 Great Comics to Read at the Beach, As Chosen by Creators

By Abraham Riesman

July 4 2016
http://www.vulture.com/2016/07/20-great-comics-to-read-at-the-beach-this-summer.html

KAL on your own drone

KAL.  2016.

What if everyone had a personal drone?

The Economist Jul 6, 2016 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diXwpdl40SY

The elation of flying is the stuff of dreams. But what if personal drones could make our dreams come true? The Economist's resident cartoonist KAL lets his imagination fly.

WaPo on Harvey Awards, which include local creators

‘Bloom County’ and ‘Bloodshot Reborn’ are among the multiple 2016 Harvey Award nominees

By Michael Cavna

From Comic Riffs in the Washington Post: 

"Among the other multiple nominees are titles with Washington-area ties. “March: Book 2″ (Top Shelf), the second installment in Rep. John Lewis’s memoir trilogy about the civil-rights movement, received nods for best original graphic album and best biographical presentation.

"Also competing for best original graphic album is another book that has a Washington connection: 'Captive of Friendly Cove' (Fulcrum Publishing), by Mike Short and Rebecca Goldfield.
'This project was especially research-intensive — lots of interviews, visiting sites and poring over resource materials — so it took quite awhile to complete,' Matt Dembicki, the D.C.-based inker and adviser on 'Captive of Friendly Cove,' tells Comic Riffs."

Read the full article.

July 20: J-Film: My Little Sweet Pea

The JICC and the Japan Commerce Association of Washington, D.C. Present - The J-Film Series - My Little Sweet Pea | July 20, 2016 | Wednesday at 6:30PM Japanese w. English subtitles | Not Rated | 95 min | 2013 Picture © 2013 "My Little Sweet Pea" Production Committee The more you smile, the happier you will be tomorrow. The more you cry, the more you will be kind to someone. Mugiko is an anime geek ("otaku" in Japanese) who lives with her brother.  She dreams of becoming a voice actress but life takes an unexpected turn when her estranged mother, Ayako, appears at their doorstep and asks to move in.  Having been abandoned by her mother many years ago, Mugiko struggles with this new arrangement.   However, just as suddenly as she arrived, Ayako passes away. Mugiko, still unsure of her own feelings, decides to travel to her mother's hometown to bury her ashes. She is surprised by the warm reception of the townsfolk and learns that Ayako had been almost like a well-loved idol. Gradually, Mugiko begins to uncover her mother's past and understands who she truly was. Starring Maki Horikita, Ryuhei Matsuda, Kimiko Yo Presented in cooperation with the Japan Foundation You are invited to J-Film: My Little Sweet Pea | 麦子さんと Wednesday, July 20th, 2016 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM (EDT) Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan 1150 18th Street Northwest Suite 100 Washington DC 20036 US REGISTER NOW 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, whichever occurs first. 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.

July 13: Warren Bernard talk at Library of Congress

From Warren:

I will give a lecture about the home front during World War Two as seen through cartoons and comics. Some of the topics that will be covered are air raids/blackouts, women on the assembly line, the African-American experience during the war, doing research at the LoC and other stuff about the war. All with cool (OK, I think so anyway...) cartoons & comics that have not been seen since the 1940's. Hope to see you there!!

Date: Wednesday July 13

Time: Noon

Place: Madison Building 101 Independence Ave, Washington DC

    - In the Mumford Room on the 6th Floor.

PR: "Finding Dory" In-Store Event, July 8th at Barnes and Noble

Top Picks for "Finding Dory" Fans — Toys, Games, Books & More. Copyright© 2016 Disney Enterprises, Inc. and Pixar Animation Studios. All rights reserved.