Wednesday, January 18, 2017

The Post's Tyrus Wong obituary

is actually the LA Times, but is worth reading.

Tyrus Wong, long overlooked animator of 'Bambi,' dies at 106 [in print as Tyrus Wong, 106; Artist brought a poetic quality to Disney's 'Bambi']

/ Los Angeles Times
Washington Post January 15 2017, p. C8.
online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tyrus-wong-long-overlooked-animator-of-bambi-dies-at-106/2017/01/06/284c69d2-d393-11e6-945a-76f69a399dd5_story.html

Another Resist! interview

Remember the newspaper will be distributed locally beginning on Friday.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Francoise Mouly and Nadja Spiegelman RESIST!

By
January 13, 2017
http://cbldf.org/2017/01/exclusive-interview-francoise-mouly-and-nadja-spiegelman-resist/

Big Planet Comics 40% off hardcovers sale starts today

and continues for a week.


Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Teresa Logan makes her Resist! drawing available as a poster for Women's march

COLONIAL COMICS: NEW ENGLAND, 1750-1775 out today


Jason Rodriguez said on Facebook today (and he's quoted w/ permission):

Hello everyone! Today is the official release date of COLONIAL COMICS: NEW ENGLAND, 1750-1775. It's a beautiful book that I'm very proud of, and all of the creators involved have done a truly wonderful job bringing to life underrepresented stories from the period.

It's a really great book. A timely book. In an era of division and protest, it's nice to be able to draw parallels to a time when we came together as a series of colonies to form a new country. We didn't have all the answers then, and we have made a lot of mistakes since, but the COLONIAL COMICS series likes to celebrate the people and stories who were largely lost to our American narrative so that they can be celebrated as the heroes (and villains, in some instances) that they were.

Over on the FaceBook page I've already shared previews from 10 of the stories, including stories about Nathan Hale's college days, young Benjamin Franklin, Crispus Attucks and Newton Prince, Colonial-era counterfeiters, Molly Ockett, the New England triangle trade, the Stamp Act riots, and Mercy Otis Warren.

I'll continue to post previews through Monday, as the stories get closer to the American Revolution and feature tales of grave robbers, the tea trade, civil disobedience, and a shot heard around the world.

Please feel free to share the FaceBook page (we're approaching 500 likes!), or any individual posts on the page. Tell your local bookstore to order a copy (we're published through Fulcrum Books and distributed through IPG), or order/share the book through Amazon.

Thank you all for your continued support. And don't forget to check out the first volume in the series, COLONIAL COMICS: NEW ENGLAND, 1620-1750

March sells out after Trump Twitter attack on Rep. Lewis

Rep. John Lewis's books sell out following Donald Trump's attacks


Washington Post's The Fix blog January 15
2017
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/01/15/rep-john-lewiss-books-sell-out-following-donald-trumps-attacks/

Resist! political cartoon newspaper coming to Arlington

Resist! and Magic Bullet in
Arlington's Central Library lobby



On Friday, January 20th, the Resist! political cartoon newspaper will be available at One More Page Books of Arlington, VA, Busboys and Poets of Shirlington, and in the lobby of the Central Library. The paper will also be handed out by volunteers at the L'Enfant and Federal Center SW subway stops during the Women's March.
 
And for one week, the Little Free Library of Alcova Heights, Arlington, VA on 7th Street will be solely carrying it too.















Monday, January 16, 2017

Axtell solo show: Jan. 25-March 13

Local comics artist Jason Axtell has a solo show opening Jan. 25 through March 13 at the Art Institute of Washington in Arlington, Va. According to his Facebook post, "'Comics: The Profound, Cool and Quirky' will showcase the artwork I completed for Colonial Comics: New England 1750-1775 (JUST RELEASED!!!) as well as the upcoming ReDistricted, as well as a few other shorts, not to mention the variety of techniques I work in." 
Opening reception is January 25 in the Gallery on the ground floor.

New 'ReDistricted' comic: 'The Pearl'

There's a new installment of ReDistrictedComics.com, a story by local comics writer Michael Cowgill and Ohio artist Michael Neno called "The Pearl." (Colors by me.)




Sunday, January 15, 2017

March vols 1-3 become top-seller on Amazon

Amazon sells out of Rep. John Lewis' biography after Trump attacks him

Laurel Raymond

Of Trees and Beasts

by Steve Loya




Yesterday, Kris and I went to see the movie A Monster Calls in the theaters. Words can't really describe this sad and beautiful film, but I felt a real connection to it, as did Kris. It might have had to do with the monster and trees - two things I love, especially when combined, as well as the story, not to mention the strong emphasis on the power of art and imagination. The acting and the visuals were incredible as well, and I'm hoping for a Blu-Ray release of this gem, if not on DVD at least. I dug into my Splotch Monster archives for two (of many) Splotch Monster/tree mash-ups from recent years, that reminded of the wonderful giant tree beast in the movie. Below is a trailer for the film. A Monster Calls is one of those truly special works of cinematic art that only come around every once in a while, and I recommend seeing it to anyone who appreciates good film.   -Steve

Claassen's Dirtfarm returns to City Paper

For the first time in months, Ben Claassen III's Dirtfarm comic is in the Washington City Paper with a parody of Goodnight Moon, centered around the Trump election.

Q&A with Chris Scott


The blog Paper Droids: Geek Culture for Women has a Q&A with local comic artist Chris Scott on his recent art book Two Ton Rock God. It is currently sold out but Chris tells us he plans to have more copies sometime in mid-February. He notes that there also should be a second volume this summer.

Image courtesy of Chris Scott

Saturday, January 14, 2017

Andrew Cohen's studio

Last night I dropped by the O Street studio of Andrew Cohen, editor of the comics newspaper Magic Bullet, to pick up bundles of the newest edition that hits the streets in time for the inauguration. I also enjoy seeing where the creators works.







Thursday, January 12, 2017

Comic Riffs on 'Love is Love'

A book of comics about the Orlando Pulse shooting vaults to the top of the bestseller list


Washington Post  
Comic Riffs blog January 12 2017
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2017/01/12/a-book-of-comics-about-orlando-pulse-shooting-vaults-to-the-top-of-the-bestseller-list/

FEB 18 Jerry Gaylord & Identity Studios signing at Comic Logic




Saturday, February 18 at 12 PM - 4 PM

COMIC LOGIC Books & Artwork
44031 Ashburn Shopping Plz, # 281, Ashburn, Virginia 20147

(703) 723-1925

Don't miss a chance to pickup Identity Studio's newest book, The Blueprint 2 and meet creators Jerry Gaylord, Peng Peng & Bryan "Flash" Turner! Get your books signed and hang out with the artists.

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "Dinnertime for Democrats"

From DC's anarchist cartoonist Mike Flugennock:

"Dinnertime For Democrats"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=2145

I'm at the point now where I'm thinking it was actually worth it all, just to finally see the Democratic Party having to eat its own dog food.

It's been two months since they lost, and those clowns are still at it -- shrieking, bitching, red-baiting, blame-shifting; it was the Greens, Wikileaks, the Russians, the Bernie Bros, the Russians, the non-voters, the Russians, the Russians, the Russians -- you get the idea.

My suggestion to all you Democrats out there is to quit your damn whining and choke it down. There's not a speck of cereal, you know.



Jan 11: Bad Kitty at Hooray for Books

I haven't read these, but the Post described them today as "Like all the "Bad Kitty" chapter books, this one resembles a graphic novel, with dialogue balloons and large comic panels."

See the interview at

Nick Bruel pokes fun at tests in newest 'Bad Kitty' book [in print as An author's comical take on tests].


Washington Post January 10 2016, p. C8
online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/nick-bruel-pokes-fun-at-tests-in-newest-bad-kitty-book/2017/01/09/de42d47e-d294-11e6-9cb0-54ab630851e8_story.html
 
Wednesday, January 11th: We are excited to welcome back author Nick Bruel as he presents the newest chapter book in the Bad Kitty series: Bad Kitty Takes the Test! Bad Kitty has her cat license revoked, and to renew it she must sit through a gruelingly boring class followed by a standardized test. After watching a specious video filled with oddball cat facts (and created by the test-makers, TestPro) she gets to the test itself -- and it's administered by a chicken. This hilarious new addition to the Bad Kitty series is sure to be a favorite with children and adults! 

NOTE: This event is free, but in order to enter the signing line you must purchase a Bad Kitty title from Hooray for Books! Signing line tickets will be issued in the order in which books are purchased, and will be available for you to pick up at the store the night of the event. To order, either come in to Hooray for Books! or call us at 703-548-4092. Can't make the event, but want a signed book? Just call us before the event is over, and we'll make sure you get a personalized copy of Bad Kitty Takes the Test. We will notify you when it is ready for pick-up, or we can ship it anywhere in the USA for the cost of postage. 

For this event we are partnering with King Street Cats, a non-profit, no-kill shelter that aims to find forever homes for cats in the Northern Virginia area. If possible, we ask that attendees bring with them unopened cat food, cat toys, or other pet supplies to benefit the shelter.

Meet Bad Kitty herself at this event! She will be available for photographs! 6 pm.

1555 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.hooray4books.com

Monday, January 09, 2017

New donation page for Team Cul de Sac

A new donation page for Team Cul de Sac is at https://fundraise.michaeljfox.org/teamculdesac

It's been about six months since we lost Richard Thompson to Parkinson's disease.

Sunday, January 08, 2017

Opening Day at Heroic Aleworks

I visited Heroic Aleworks on Saturday, a new craft brewery in Woodbridge, Va., that has a superhero theme. The beers themselves are named after superheroes and villains created by co-founder and CEO Tim Hoke. My favorite beer was the Mind Trappe Belgian Dubbel, and my favorite decorative item was the service bar, which had comic covers pasted on it. (A close runner-up were the Dr. Who and Lord of the Rings his and her bathrooms, see photo photo below.) There was also a live recording of the Swift Kick Show, a locally produced comics-based podcast.










Friday, January 06, 2017

Another review of Wimberly's Prince of Cats

A Graphic Novel Reimagines 'Romeo and Juliet' in 1980s Brooklyn

Combining a deep examination of Shakespeare's play with memories of Wimberly's own teen years, Prince of Cats is electric.


December 29, 2016
http://hyperallergic.com/348312/a-graphic-novel-reimagines-romeo-and-juliet-in-1980s-brooklyn/

Comics-inspired brewery opens Saturday in Woodbridge, Va.



Heroic Alerworks, a comic superhero-inspired and community-focused brewery, opens January 7 at noon in Woodbridge, Virginia. On its website it list superhero-named beers with accompanying covers. According to website: “We’re not just brewers, we’re NERDS. Every beer we create represents a fully realized superhero or villain that lives, fights, and, with input from you, survives or dies in our very own comic book universe, illustrated in stunning detail by leading international and local comic artists.”

“We plan to release exclusive annual comics for our customers at events and new beer releases. All while inviting everyone to our taproom which will feature geek trivia nights, cosplay events, role play gaming nights, an entirely free arcade and more as our build out continues. If you host a D&D or any other role playing or table top games, give us a call, we’ll reserve a table!”

(I poached this photo from their Facebook page. Check out the comic-covers bar.)

Teresa Logan's artwork featured on Resist's site

Mal Jones comics online

Local cartoonist/graphic artist Mal Jones has posted some slightly revised comic stories he's worked on over the past few years, including stories by locals Rafer Roberts and myself, as well as Neil Kleid and Marc Bryant. 

"Night of the Krampus" from Liquid Revolver (2008) by Matt Dembicki and Mal Jones

Jan. 21: Cosplay Life Drawing


Stone Branch Schoolof Art (1331-M Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852) is hosting a cosplay life drawing Saturday, Jan. 21, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Cost is $10 and open to those 18 and older. 

According to the school’s Facebook event post: “This is a great opportunity for artists of all skill levels to come together and practice drawing with live models. There is limited seating so be sure to contact office@stonebrancharts.com early to reserve your spot.”


Thursday, January 05, 2017

New book from animator Marty Baumann coming out this spring





His website is www.martybaumann.com



More on the Resist comic book

Liberal feminists' plan to "resist" Trump? 50,000 comic books

By | December 31, 2016
http://redalertpolitics.com/2016/12/31/liberal-feminists-plan-resist-trump-50000-comic-books/

Comic Riffs on Illumination's animation



How the studio behind 'Sing' and 'Secret Life of Pets' had a breakthrough year [in print as Big green millions and not just little yellow Minions at Illumination, January 5, p. C2]



Washington Post Comic Riffsanuary 4 2017

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2017/01/04/how-the-studio-behind-sing-and-secret-life-of-pets-had-a-breakthrough-year/

January 11: Brad Meltzer at Politics & Prose bookstore


Wednesday, January 11, 7 p.m.

feature

You may know Jim Henson as the beloved voice of Kermit the Frog, and the creative mind behind The Muppets and Sesame Street. But did you know that he made his first Kermit puppet out of his mother's old sweater? Brad Meltzer gives insight into the puppeteer's childhood and the early inspirations behind his longstanding success. This continuation of the Ordinary People Change the World biography series introduces children and adults to Jim Henson's kind spirit and playful imagination that helped generate two of the most adored children's television programs of all time. Ages 5 to 8

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Tuesday, January 03, 2017

Ulysses Campbell on D.C. Advisory Neighborhood Commission

Local comic book journalist/show host/documentarian Ulysses Campbell yesterday took the oath to serve on the D.C. Advisory Neighborhood Commission. Below is a photo of him (via his Facebook page) taking the oath with At-Large D.C. Council member Robert White. Campbell, who was voted onto the commission in November, is a staple in the comics scene in D.C., conducting interviews at various shows such as Awesome Con, Small Press Expo and Baltimore Con (to name a few) and hosts a regular public access-TV show on comics called "Fantastic Forum."

Jan. 7: Local comics show by Shoff Promotions

Shoff Promotions holds a Comic Book & Sports Card Show Saturday, Jan. 7, from 10am-3pm at the Annandale Virginia Fire House Expo Hall (7128 Columbia Pike). It will include dealers with an "array of Comic Books--Gold, Silver, Bronze & Modern Age, Nonsports cards 1880's to the present, Plus Baseball,.Football, Basketball & Hockey cards vintage to the present & sports memorabilia & Hobby supplies for all your collecting needs."

Monday, January 02, 2017

Deaths in the comic arts for 2016 (UPDATED)

As any reader of this blog knows, I lost my good friend Richard Thompson this past summer.  Unfortunately, a lot of other people in the field passed away as well. Here's my list from the Comics Research Bibliography, which is always greatly dependent on the work of DD Degg. Additions and corrections would be appreciated. (Updated on January 5th with more contributions by DD Degg, and John Freeman's Down the Tubes article; updated on February 1)

Deaths in 2016 included British artist Martin Aitchison, Jumble writer Michael Argirion, publisher Alvin Buenaventura, Ken Barr, comic book dealer Stephen Barrington, Universal Press Syndicate and Andrews McMeel editor William Beasley Jr., UK girls comics artist Shirley Bellwood, Ted Benoit, Bennington Banner political cartoonist Gene Blasen, editorial cartoonist Don Bloom, MAD art director Leonard Brenner, animation producer Al Brodax, Solson Publisher Gary Brodsky, Raymond Burki of Switzerland, MAD cartoonist John Caldwell, The Comic Depot store owner Darren Carrara, Tits & Clits co-founder Lyn Chevli, Jack Chick, Angel Smurf voice William Christopher, Jok Church, Darwyn Cooke, British cartoonist Bernard Cookson, Lawrence Eagle Tribune political cartoonist Al Cote Jr., New Yorker cartoonist Michael Crawford, animator Clay Martin Croker, Belgian colorist Janine “Nine” Culliford, The Simpsons' Kevin Curran, Jack Davis, British cartoonist Frank Dickens, Steve Dillon, Norman Doherty, German writer Lothar Dräger, Jerry Dumas, Don "Duck" Edwing, Mark Trail's Jack Elrod, Genevieve Elverum aka Genevieve Castree, fanzine artist John Fantucchio, Italian comic book artist Gallieno Ferri, political cartoonist Glenn Foden, comics scholar Conseula Francis, Paul Fung Jr., Studio Ghibli animator Makiko Futaki, Angel "Pat" or "Pasquale" Gabriele, animation writer Daniel Gerson, British comic book artist John Gillatt, Kenya's Edward Gicheri Gitau, animation voice Ron Glass, UK comic book writer Scott Goodall, Marcel "Gotlib" Gottlieb, New Yorker cartoonist William Hamilton, British comic book artist Wilfred “Wilf” Hardy, Belgian cartoonist René Hausman, Stowe (Vt.) Reporter cartoonist Ralph T. Heath, Dick Hodgins Jr., commercial animator Gary Hughes, "Heat Miser" animation voice George Irving, Shigeji Isojima aka Tomoe-Satoo aka Pariotto, Dallas Morning News editorial cartoonist Dick Johns Jr., British comix artist Andrew 'Andy Dog' Johnson, alternative cartoonist Jess Johnson, Greek cartoonist Yannis Kalaitzis, voice actor Marvin Kaplan, webcartoonist (and Archie inspiration) Jewel Kats, Nellie Nifty RN cartoonist Lawrence "Kaz" Katzman, Disney idea man Al Konetzni, New Yorker cartoonist Anatol Kovarsky, comic book price guide publisher Chet Krause, comic book fandom founder Richard Kyle, caricaturist and CIA officer James Lawrence, Mell Lazarus, Roger Leiner of Luxembourg, Dave's Comics store owner Dave Luebke, British cartoonist Tony Luke, Tumbleweeds gag writer Steve Mamlin, Singapore cartoonist Man Tian Fei (aka Lin Yucong), Linus Maurer, editorial cartoonist Shaw McCutcheon, Thornsby cartoonist Fred McLaren, Free for All cartoonist Brett Merhar, Benton Courier editorial cartoonist Ron Meyer, British comic writer Alan Mitchell, Mikiya Mochizuki, New Yorker cartoonist Frank Modell, Sparky Moore, Spanish comic book writer Victor Mora, Howard Munce, television's Lois Lane Noel Neill, Carlos Nine, Indian cartoonist S V Padmanabha, British comic book editor Gil Page, British comics archivist Roger Perry,British comic book letterer Derek Pierson, Paul Peter Porges, Finnish cartoonist Heikki Porkola, British small press cartoonist Stephen Prestwood, Spanish cartoonist Angel Nadal Quirch, Caliber Comics founder Gary Reed, Croatian cartoonist Oton Anton Reisinger, United Media editor Susan Reinhard, Rugrats animation voice Jack Riley, collector Ethan Roberts, Duxbury Clipper cartoonist Charles Rogerson II, Magic: The Gathering artist Christopher Rush, Paul Ryan, Gaspar Saladino, animator Morton Schindel, Augie Scotto, Clyde Shelley, Maurice 'Sine' Sinet, Marc Sleen, Spotlight Newspapers editorial cartoonist Reverend Donald W. Stake, Chuck Stiles, colorist Matthew Swift, Joe Szabo, Rev. Thom Tapp, Indian cartoonist VT "Toms" Thomas, Richard Thompson, Kelly Air Force Base cartoonist Emilio G. Torres, Don Vannozzi, Dutch cartoonist Peter van Straaten, syndicated cartoonist Fred Wagner, Judy Jetson voice Janet Waldo, Swiss-German cartoonist Hansrudi Wäscher, New Yorker cartoonist Robert Weber, comic book writer Robert E. "Bob" Weinberg, George Wildman, TV's Green Hornet Van Williams, "Cooking with Cancer's" Venus Winston, animator Tyrus Wong, Studio Ghibli's Michiyo Yasuda, Iranian cartoonist Mohammad-Rafi Zia.

The Year According to Toles in The Post


Toles, Tom.  2017.
The Year According to Toles.
Washington Post (January 1): A17.
online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/opinions/wp/2016/12/27/the-best-tom-toles-editorial-cartoons-of-2016/

also in print was

The Year in Cartoons
Washington Post (December 30 2016): A17