Tuesday, March 07, 2017

PR: March 13: Join us for WHAM-BAM-POW night of comic books & literature!

I've just bought my ticket - Mike

WHAM! BAM! POW!
O.B. Hardison Poetry & PEN/Faulkner
on the influence of comic books in literature


On Monday, March 13 at 7:30 pm, O.B. Hardison Poetry and PEN/Faulkner combine forces to showcase the influence of comic books on literature. Novelist Manuel Gonzales and poets Yona Harvey and Gary Jackson will read from their work and participate in a post-reading conversation moderated by poet Dr. Tara Betts, Visiting Lecturer at University of Illinois-Chicago. Using handwritten poems and passages, the artists of Ink Brick, a micro-press for comic book poetry, have created a one-of-a-kind comic book broadside, free to audience members, to celebrate this event.
The reading is followed by a complimentary wine reception, with an opportunity to purchase books and to speak with the authors while having your book signed. Come and join us for a wonderful evening.

We Wear The Masks 
Monday, March 13 at 7:30pm

Manuel Gonzales is the author of The Miniature Wife and Other Stories, which won the Sue Kaufman Prize for First Fiction and the John Gardner Prize for Fiction, and the novel, The Regional Office Is Under Attack! He teaches creative writing for the University of Kentucky and the Institute of American Indian Arts. 
Yona Harvey is the author of Hemming the Water, which won the 2014 Kate Tufts Discovery Award, and is a co-author of the Marvel Comics series Black Panther: World of Wakanda.  She has just been announced as an author of the upcoming Black Panther & The Crew series for Marvel Comics, which will make her the first black woman to write Marvel's Storm character.
Gary Jackson is the author of Missing You, Metropolis which was selected by Yusef Komunyakaa as winner of the 2009 Cave Canem Poetry Prize. He is an assistant professor at the College of Charleston in South Carolina.
For more information on the O.B. Hardison Poetry Series – including our line-up of poets for the spring and to purchase single tickets, please visit www.folger.edu/poetry or call our box office at 202.544.7077.
We hope to see you in the coming weeks!


Folger Shakespeare Library
201 East Capitol Street, SE Washington, DC 20003  



Monday, March 06, 2017

New Kickstarter by Arsia Rozegar

Shahnameh For Kids - New books about Rostam and Gordafarid!

By Arsia Rozegar

Children's book series inspired by Ferdowsi's Persian Epic Myth, The Shahnameh. Featuring THE MIGHTY ROSTAM & THE BRAVERY OF GORDAFARID

As the story continues...

This Kickstarter campaign is intended to help fund the production of two brand new Shahnameh For Kids books; The Mighty Rostam to be followed by The Bravery of Gordafarid.


Children's book series inspired by Ferdowsi's Persian Epic Myth, The Shahnameh. Featuring THE MIGHTY ROSTAM & THE BRAVERY OF GORDAFARID

Sunday, March 05, 2017

Maryland cartoonists Kane and Gallagher interviewed

Women in Comics Month: Interview with Kata Kane

https://www.previewsworld.com/Article/191091-Women-in-Comics-Month-Interview-with-Kata-Kane

Women in Comics Month: Interview with Monica Gallagher

https://www.previewsworld.com/Article/191110-Women-in-Comics-Month-Interview-with-Monica-Gallagher

Willow Wilson reviews The Animators

Can a friendship between two cartoonists survive their own success? [in print as Will fame burst the cartoon bubble of two aspiring artists?]


Washington Post March 5 2017
online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/can-a-friendship-between-two-cartoonists-survive-their-own-success/2017/02/01/bc84c21e-e8a3-11e6-b82f-687d6e6a3e7c_story.html

Comic Riffs on 'Logan'

'Logan': Thank you for your service to the X-franchise, Sir Patrick Stewart. You were a gift most sublime.


Washington Post 
Comic Riffs blog March 3 2017
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2017/03/03/logan-thank-you-for-your-service-to-the-x-franchise-sir-patrick-stewart-you-were-a-gift-most-sublime/

'Logan' is the Wolverine movie Hugh Jackman always deserved


Washington Post Comic Riffs blog February 27 2017
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2017/02/27/logan-is-the-wolverine-movie-hugh-jackman-always-deserved/

Saturday, March 04, 2017

Mario Brothers becomes a play

A video-game plumber loses his bounce in 'Brother Mario'


Washington Post March 3 2017

Lee Liebeskind as Mario and Ryan Tumulty as Bowser star in Flying V Theatre's "Brother Mario," at the Writer's Center in Bethesda through March 12. (Ryan Maxwell/Flying V Theatre)

Today! Kendall Goode and Paulina Ganucheau Signing at Big Planet College Park


  • Today at 2 PM - 4 PM


  • Big Planet Comics of College Park
    7315 Baltimore Ave, College Park, Maryland 20740

    PR: April 9: Baltimore Comic-Con Throws a Spring Fling








    Baltimore Comic-Con Throws a Spring Fling
    BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - March 3, 2017 - The Baltimore Comic-Con will be back again this year in the Inner Harbor's Baltimore Convention Center on September 22-24, 2017, but as a special thank you to our fans, we're throwing a Spring Fling.
    What is a Spring Fling? If you were with us for our first show back in 2000, you'll have a pretty good idea of what to expect. This will be a good old fashioned comic book show: rows and rows of comic book dealers from 6-8 states around the country with comics and collectibles from the ancient to the very modern...and we're bringing in a few guests as well!
    Frank Cho photo
    Totally Awesome Hulk by Frank Cho
    Harvey and Eisner award nominee Frank Cho launched his career as a comic strip artist at the University of Maryland-College Park student newspaper, penning University2, which was the predecessor of his creator-owned syndicated strip and comic series, Liberty Meadows. His body of work also includes Marvel Comics' New Avengers, Mighty Avengers, Shanna the She-Devil, New Ultimates, and X-Men: Schism, as well as Jungle Girl for Dynamite Entertainment. His recent work can be seen in BOOM! Studios' Skybourne, and on covers from DC Comics' Harley Quinn and Wonder Woman.
    Steve Conley photo
    Mighty Morphin Power Rangers by Steve Conley
    Long-time friend of the show, Harvey and Eisner Award nominee, and guest since our inception in 2000 (!), artist and writer Steve Conley has contributed to numerous comic titles, both printed and on-line. His Astounding Space Thrills was self-published, published by Image Comics, and collected as a trade paperback by IDW. He has been featured in titles such as JLA-Z from DC Comics, Star Trek: Year Four from IDW, and Michael Chabon's Amazing Adventures of the Escapist from Dark Horse Comics. His creator-owned Bloop, is available through his online store in print or soft copy editions, and you can read his webcomic, The Middle Age, on his website.
    John Gallagher photo
    Buzzboy Go Digital Monster Mayhem by John Gallagher
    John Gallagher is the award-winning artist and writer of graphic novels Buzzboy and Roboy Red (with Rich Faber). John teamed with sons Jack and Will to create a kids book, E.P.I.C. Bros., about two kids whose superhero dad is always out saving the world, and they pass the time using his gizmos for lovable mayhem. Jack and Will follow in the footsteps of big sister Katie, who teamed with her dad to create Zoey and Ketchup. John's Buzzboy is back from American Mythology Productions in Buzzboy Go Digital Monster Mayhem, where he has also contributed to the recently relaunched Casper the Friendly Ghost and The Inspector. When not creating comics, John is executive director of Kids Love Comics (kidslovecomics.net) and works as art director for Ranger Rick magazine.
    Mark Morales photo
    Justice League vs. Suicide Squad by Mark Morales
    Mark Morales has established himself as one of the industry's go-to inkers for major titles and events for the big publishers. He has inked a vast number of titles at Marvel Comics including, among many others, A+X, Amazing Spider-Man, Avengers vs. X-Men, New Avengers, Secret Invasion, Sentry, Siege, Thor, Uncanny X-Men, Wolverine, X-Force, and X-Men. He has also done work for DC Comics on titles like Action Comics, Batman/Superman, JLA, New Suicide Squad, Prez, and Superman: The Man of Steel. He was also awarded the Harvey Award for Best Inker in 2009 and 2011.
    Brandon Peterson photo
    Trinity by Brandon Peterson
    Brandon Peterson has been a professional illustrator for over 20 years, working primarily as a penciller and inker, but often as a colorist, writer, editor, and art director. He has done a great deal of work at Marvel Comics, as the artist on books like AvX, Avengers, The Ultimates, Ultimate Vision, Ultimate Extinction, Ultimate X-Men, Astonishing X-Men, X-Men, and Uncanny X-Men. Brandon was also VP of Special Projects and Art Director of the now-defunct CrossGen Comics, where he created titles like Mystic and Chimera. He is also a veteran of Top Cow Productions, having worked on Codename: Strykeforce, Cyberforce, Ripclaw, Medieval Spawn/Witchblade, and his own book, Arcanum. His work is recently featured on IDW's Revolution Heroes and DC Comics' Trinity.
    So here are the details:

    When: Sunday April 9. 10-5
    Where: BWI Airport Marriott, 1743 West Nursery Road, Linthicum, MD 20190
    How much: FREE!

    Free?!? Yes, free! The Baltimore Comic-Con Spring Fling is a thank-you to our fans for helping us grow and making our show into the institution it has become. This one's just for the fun of it, and we hope we'll see you there!

    Want to join us in September for the main event? Visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com for more information on the Baltimore Comic-Con and www.baltimorecomiccon.com/tickets/ to purchase your advanced tickets!


     

    In the coming weeks, look for more announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting our guests, industry exclusives, and programming. The latest developments can always be found on our website, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook pages.

     
    Contact Information

    Please use the following e-mail addresses to contact the Baltimore Comic-Con:

    press@baltimorecomiccon.com - for any general press inquiries or to be added to our PR distribution

    promoter@baltimorecomiccon.com - for requesting exhibitor, publisher, and Artist Alley applications

    registrar@baltimorecomiccon.com - for inquiries about submitted registrations

    general@baltimorecomiccon.com- for general Baltimore Comic-Con inquiries

      

    About The Baltimore Comic-Con

    The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 18th year of bringing the comic book industry to the mid-Atlantic area. For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com.
     

    Baltimore Comic-Con, P.O. Box 917, Reisterstown, MD 21136

    TODAY!! Coast to Coast Comic Con Live Streaming at Beyond Comics











    Beyond Comics
    TODAY! - March 4, 2017

    This is a Live Streaming Event!
     

    BEYOND COMICS
    Frederick Location 
     

    Featured guests:
    Jim Lee
    Matt  Kindt, Jim Zub, Kieren Gillen,
    Gene Luen Yang, Charles Soule, Sarah Gaydoss,
    Mike Johnson, Ralph Tedesco
     

     

    Enjoy a One-of-a-Kind Convention Experience
    from the comfort of Beyond Comics!
     
    This event will be Live Streamed into the store. 
    Watch only the portions you want.


    Featuring first looks at upcoming projects from the biggest publishers in the
    industry, hear from your favorite creative teams about upcoming projects,
    without the hassle a convention brings.

    Ask questions to the publishers via social media!
    ]Get some great Convention-exclusive items and covers!

    Featured Exclusive Comic Variants






    Beyond Comics Frederick

    5632 Buckeystown Pike

    Frederick, MD 21704

    301-668-8202

    All events subject to change due to product availability, attendee levels and events beyond our control. We will do our best to update customers upon any changes.
    Beyond Comics, 18749 B North Frederick Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20879




    Friday, March 03, 2017

    DCist reviews Logan

    'Logan' Is The Most Dour, Bloody 'X-Men' Film Yet, Thank God

    City Paper on France's Zucchini

    My Life as a Zucchini Is For Kids. It's Also About Death.

    The Best Animated Feature nominee is the rare animated film that doesn't condescend to its young target audience.

    Mar 2, 2017
    http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/film-tv/blog/20853755/my-life-as-a-zucchini-reviewed

    The Post reviews France's Zucchinis

    Comic Riffs on the Mankoff's retirement's New Yorker's cartoon editor

    Bob Mankoff is likely to be the smartest person about humor and cartoons that will ever be hired by a magazine in our lifetime. Anyone interested in gag cartooning should read his books and autiobio. I can't blame him for going out on top, and heck, his predecessor Lee Lorenz is still alive too, thus showing that not only Popes should get out when they can. - MR

    A last laugh: Bob Mankoff will step down as The New Yorker cartoon editor


    Washington Post
    Comic Riffs blog March 3 2017
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2017/03/03/a-last-laugh-bob-mankoff-will-step-down-as-the-new-yorker-magazines-cartoon-editor/

    DC papers review Logan

    I saw the movie in a sneak preview last week. It's pretty darn bloody and earns its R rating. However I liked it a lot, and Dafne Keen, the actress who played the young girl, did a fantastic job. Any movie with Shane in its DNA is ok in my book.


    In 'Logan,' one enemy is time [in print as Before sunset: In 'Logan,' the years take their toll]




    Express March 3 2017, p. 24
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2017/03/03/in-logan-one-enemy-is-time/


    'Logan': Hugh Jackman, as the Wolverine, goes out fighting [in print as The 'X-Men' grown up, and brooding].


    Washington Post March 3 2017 
    , p. Weekend 27
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/logan-hugh-jackman-as-the-wolverine-goes-out-fighting/2017/03/02/af7a6380-fb72-11e6-9845-576c69081518_story.html

    Aw, heck, here's the NYT too -

    In 'Logan,' a Comic-Book Stalwart Turns Noirish Western

    A version of this review appears in print on March 3, 2017, on Page C1 of the New York edition with the headline: A Noirish Western With Comic-Book Claws.
    https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/02/movies/logan-review-hugh-jackman-wolverine-x-men.html


    James Mangold Narrates a Scene From 'Logan'

    https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/02/movies/james-mangold-interview-logan.html

    Thursday, March 02, 2017

    Q&A with Rafer Roberts about his Valiant work

    by Matt Dembicki 

    Local comic book writer/artist Rafer Roberts has over the past couple of years made a transition from focusing on self-published work to writing a couple of titles for Valiant Entertainment. Rafer answered a few questions we posed to him about his experience with that.

    You transitioned into doing mainstream comics about two years ago (though you still do some DIY work). What’s the biggest different you’ve experience between doing your own self-published comics and working for a comics publisher on a monthly title?


    Editors and deadlines! Working on my own stuff, whether it’s PLASTIC FARM or NIGHTMARE THE RAT, is a lot of fun but (I admit) there is quite a bit more freedom in content and speed at which I work.That can be both a blessing and a curse. I am solely responsible for content and making sure that it comes out in a timely fashion, as well as responsible for all the marketing and distribution.


    With the WFH (work for hire) stuff, there is a certain amount of back-and-forth between me and my editors, breaking down what the stories are going to be, as well as notes on how to improve said stories and ensure that they fit within the publisher’s larger plans. Deadlines give the creative process a needed sense of urgency. It’s a far different process of coming up with a comic at your own pace and coming up with a new comic every month.




    I also get to work with some incredible artists. David Lafuente, Mike Norton, Darick Robertson, Ryan Winn, Ryan Lee, Juan Jose Ryp, Raul Allen, Brian Reber, David Baron, and on and on and on. It is an easy life for a writer when the art teams are as amazing as this.

    You mentioned that having regular deadlines are daunting. How do you keep on track while ensuring you continue to be creative in your writing?



    Being creative isn’t the problem; but being creative on a schedule can be. You have to treat this like a job and follow some kind of work routine. I get up around the same time every day, give myself the first hour to wake up, and then make comics until I have to go to the day job. Sometimes “making comics” involves actually writing a script, or drawing something, but just as often that can be revising a script, or answering email, or writing an outline or pitch.


    The real trick is keeping with that routine. It’s all about inertia. Once you get into a routine, once you get moving, it takes out half the effort required. If I fall out of my routine, if I don’t work for a week or so, then it is very difficult to get up and running again.
    Can you briefly walk us through how you pitched yourself to Valiant? How did it pair you with the title your working on?


    I had drawn a few DARKSEID AND THANOS: CARPOOL BUDDIES OF DOOM with writer Justin Jordan. Warren Simons, the editor-in-chief at Valiant, saw those and hired us to do similar comics as backups. I found that I really enjoyed working for Valiant and did everything I could to stick around. I gave Warren a few of my writing samples, and a few months later he called and asked me to pitch on a few books. Of those early pitches, ARCHER AND ARMSTRONG was the best fit and a great learning experience. HARBINGER was a much longer process, and one that involved much more back-and-forth during development. The series that is coming out right now bears very little resemblance to the initial series pitch.

    What’s on your plate for the next six months?


    Mostly writing HARBINGER RENEGADE. We’re building up to a huge event with HARBINGER WARS 2, which is my first event that I get to write. It’s maybe the most difficult thing I have attempted in comics thus far, but also (due to the amazing editors and art teams I get to work with) intensely rewarding. I’m also going to get back to NIGHTMARE THE RAT. I’m real close to finishing the series and want to put out a collection sometime this year. I also have a few pitches and other in-development projects out in the world, but nothing concrete enough to mention.

    (Editor's note: The A&A pages are drawn by Mike Norton, colored by Allen Passalaqua, lettered by Dave Sharpe. The Harbinger page is by Darick Robertson, Richard Clarke, Diego Rodriguez and David Lanphear.)