Sunday, October 14, 2018

Lambiek and Henk - Comic Shopping in Amsterdam

by RM Rhodes

One of my favorite things to do when I travel to other countries is to visit their comic book stores. My French is good enough that I prefer to visit shops that sell French comics, which is the predominant publishing language of most of northern Europe. When I was in Amsterdam, my VRBO was almost directly across the street from Lambiek, which is one of the best and oldest comic shops in the city. This proved to be unfortunate for my wallet.
The famous Lambiek sign. On more than one occasion, 
I saw someone taking a picture of themselves in front of the shop.
They have only recently moved into this new location, but I like the store much better than the old place. The organization is much more logical, and the smaller space focuses the attention better. Upstairs, all of the comics are in Dutch. Downstairs, all of the comics are English. It's more or less understood that an American would not be silly enough to buy English-language comics in mainland Europe - they're always cheaper in America. The only exception is for super-rare things that you did not know existed, like the Robert's Rules of Order illustrated by Will Eisner that I found on my last visit.
The Interior of Lambiek. Dutch upstairs, 
English and French in the basement.
However, there's a hidden shelf of French comics around on one of the plinths in the basement that had a fantastic selection. I ended up putting back more books than I wanted to, but the shopping experience was fun. There was a complete run of the first ten issues of A Suivre (a popular French anthology magazine from the early 80s) and a variety of four or five album runs of characters I did not recognize. I love finding stuff that I did not know existed - it acts as a good reminder that there is always some facet of this medium that I have not yet encountered.
image
The interior of Lambiek. No, really.
The owner's name is Boris and he has an attitude about him that reminds me of Bill Boichel and James Sime and other comic book shop owners I have known in my life. We got into a long conversation about Enki Bilal and which period of his art we preferred, and why. I showed him some of my comics and he recommended an artist named Wasco, who designed their windows in the back.
image
Windows at Lambiek by Wasco
Among my purchases was a very early book by Milo Manara, from when he was much more obviously a Moebius clone. There was also a very meta Jacques Tardi book that I bought and a collection of Pilote specials from the 70s that I didn't buy (but know I know they exist!). I wish I could say that the most amazing thing I found on the trip was at Lambiek, but that's not true. The real find of the trip was actually down at the book market on the Spui, but that's a completely different story.


As a compare and contrast, I also sought out the comic shop Henk, which specializes in selling American and English-language comics. Henk is actually two shop fronts, back-to-back, with an entrance on either side of the block it sits on. One entrance looks out over the Gelderskade canal, technically just outside the Red Light District, and the other entrance is in the Chinatown portion of the Red Light District.

Henk knows its customers. One of the two shop fronts caters to manga fans and has an extensive collection of vinyl statues alongside the shelves of English-language manga reprints and other comics-adjacent tchotchkes. There was even a small section of videos. That end of the shop was packed with people. That's also where the cash register was, along with the shelf of indie graphic novels that would appeal to a manga reader who wants to venture into new territory but eschews superhero comics.
The manga end of Henk
The other end of the shop was laid out very much like an American superhero comic book store, complete with basement location, spinner racks, back issue bins, and walls lined with Marvel and DC collected editions and posters. It was also the empty portion of the store. The whole store looked more or less like an American comic book store, but the non-manga part was almost painfully accurate in its cultural reproduction.
The non-manga end of Henk
Even among the indie graphic novels, there were really no European comics available in the store, unless they were English-language translations that had somehow crept back around into indie legitimacy. This was consistent with my Lambiek experience, which had no manga or superhero comics whatsoever. The conclusion I drew from this was that the audiences for the various kinds of comics don't significantly overlap - or, at least, don't overlap enough to make it worth the while of comic shop owners to carry everything in one store.
The indie graphic novel shelf - this is the extent of the overlap between Lambiek and Henk
In a city as physically small as Amsterdam, it is astonishing how close together everything is. The two shops are little more than a seven minute walk apart, but the blocks they sit on are wildly different. Lambiek is in a quiet residential street. The more obvious side of Henk is on a main commercial thoroughfare. Not coincidentally, the Nieumarkt (which has a street market on the weekends) sits between both shops. Arguably, both benefit from the proximity, but Henk is a more prominent spot to catch overflow foot traffic. Weirdly, taking this entrance drops you into the room dominated by back-issue bins and surrounded by superhero comics.
The entrance by the Nieumarkt
From that perspective, the desolate back issue bins which face the canal share a temperament with Lambiek's basement of the best of English language indie comics. (Seriously, Lambiek is probably the primary Dutch customer of Fantagraphics, Koyama Press, and Drawn and Quarterly.) Both are places where someone wandering by can find a quiet place to browse with the understanding that shopping is not buying. They are, in some ways, part of the long-term appeal of the Nieumarkt as a destination.
Chinatown entrance of Henk
On the other hand, the manga end of Henk was bustling. Part of it may have been the almost fanatical devotion to filling every flat surface with something that could be purchased. Having said that, there were more people in that portion of Henk than I ever saw at any one time in Lambiek. Location-wise, the entrance to the more popular end of Henk is in a very busy tourist neighborhood alleyway on the edge of the Red Light District, but still very much part of it.

During the middle of the afternoon, the atmosphere of the alleyway is quiet, but the largely unseen hustle of prepping for the evening rush is everywhere. Almost every Chinese food restaurant in the Red Light District is clustered here. That may or may not have anything to do with the popularity of the manga section. And the tendency of tourists to duck into any random shop may keep the place busy as well.

At night, the alleyway is completely different. Henk's is closed by seven, but the debauchery of the Red Light District never really stops, it just takes naps. By 8, the whole area is filled with people looking for food. The place is a wall-to-wall zoo. Walking through the alley in the morning is like walking down Bourbon Street in New Orleans when the crowds have gone. And that is where you have to go to visit the most prominent manga store in Amsterdam, open by lunchtime.

It is fascinating to me that the various comics markets are so obviously delineated in Amsterdam. That might be because the markets are so clearly segregated by language - which isn't as big a barrier in cosmopolitan, multi-lingual Amsterdam as it is in English-first, English-only America. It also indicates that the the markets serve very different demographic groups, which makes sense.

The Dutch comics section in the main part of Lambiek feels like a small, specialty book store, with a variety of popular works in various genres, and a diverse clientele. Those who really want to go diving through the English and French spillover are encouraged to do so. Amsterdam has visitors from all over Europe and many books are not translated into Scandinavian languages. 

Henk is, for the most part, a clone of an American comic shop, aimed at the same demographics. Interestingly, that demographic (white males between 18-35) is the same target demographic as the Red Light District itself. The superhero comic section of Henk is set up to encourage intoxicated impulse buys.

If you find yourself in Amsterdam and you have had your fill of art museums, go look up the comic book shops. They are worth the visit and very easy to find.
__________________________________________________________

Why is this here? It's a long story. Mike Rhode first introduced himself to me when I first started vending at SPX. Over the years, we've talk to each other at Comic conventions around the DC area and never quite get around to sitting down for lunch. 

When I moved to Arlington two years ago, I didn't realize that Mike lived within a mile of my building. Nor did I realize that he lived next door to my girlfriend's friend from college. We also discovered, by accident that we work two buildings away from each other, because we work in adjacent organizations. The world is a very small place, sometimes. 

It really feels that way when I run into Mike at the local farmer's market. Naturally, that's when I pitch him article ideas. I'm reading the entire run of Heavy Metal in public (in blog format) because I happen to own the entire run of Heavy Metal. This means that I'm engaged in an ongoing study of the magazine. In addition, I have a diverse and idiosyncratic reading list that tends towards the weird corners of comics history. Sometimes one circumstance or another results in long articles that I don't really have anyplace to put. Mike has been gracious enough to let me publish them here.

In summary: this is an article about comics from someone in the DC area. 

Friday, October 12, 2018

Swann Foundation is accepting fellowship applications


The Swann Foundation for Caricature and Cartoon, administered by the Library of Congress is accepting applications for its graduate fellowship, one of the few in the field, for the 2019-2020 academic year. Deadline for applications is February 15, 2019. Please see the following for criteria, guidelines, and application forms:

http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/swann/swann-fellow.html

Please email swann@loc.gov or call (202) 707-9115 if you have questions.

 

 

Oct 26: Halloween Animezing!: Mary and The Witch's Flower



Come to the JICC to enjoy a FREE Japanese anime film!
Come to the JICC to enjoy a FREE Japanese  anime film!
JICC Logo
Animezing!: Mary and The Witch's Flower
Animezing!: Mary and The Witch's Flower
From Academy Award®-nominated Hiromasa Yonebayashi comes a dazzling new adventure about a young girl named Mary, who discovers a flower that grants magical powers, but only for one night.
Mary is an ordinary young girl stuck in the country with her Great-Aunt Charlotte and seemingly no adventures or friends in sight. She follows a mysterious cat into the nearby forest, where she discovers an old broomstick and the strange Fly-by-Night flower, a rare plant that blossoms only once every seven years and only in that forest. Together the flower and the broomstick whisk Mary above the clouds, and far away to Endor College – a school of magic run by headmistress Madam Mumblechook and the brilliant Doctor Dee. But there are terrible things happening at the school, and when Mary tells a lie, she must risk her life to try to set things right.
In Japanese with English subtitles | Rated PG | 102 min | 2018 | Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi
Registration required
🎃 Halloween Special! ðŸŽƒ
Come in your Halloween costumes and Trick-or-Treat at the JICC! 
You are invited to
Friday, October 26th, 2018
from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM (EDT)
Japan Information & Culture Center, Embassy of Japan
1150 18th Street Northwest
Suite 100
Washington DC 20036 US
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
In the event of a cancellation, please contact us at jicc@ws.mofa.go.jp.

Program begins at 6:30PM.
Doors open 30 minutes before the program. 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.

The JICC reserves the right to use any photograph/video taken at any event sponsored by JICC without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video.
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1150 18th Street NW, Suite 100 | Washington, D.C. 20036-3838
TEL: 202-238-6900 | FAX: 202-822-6524 |
jicc@ws.mofa.go.jp
© 1981-2018 Japan Information & Culture Center, Embassy of Japan



Thursday, October 11, 2018

Cartoon from artleytoons

"The Hangers Judge"

—Steven G. Artley, artleytoons

(click on image for larger view)

©2018 Steven G. Artley • artleytoons • ALL RIGHTS RESERVED


PR: Oct 13: Walking Dead Day & a Huge Signing at Third Eye Annapolis

This Saturday is WALKING DEAD DAY at all Third Eyes!

And, at Third Eye Annapolis, TWO events in ONE: we're hosting WALKING DEAD(POOL) DAY...

all the fun of WALKING DEAD DAY but with a special guest: DEADPOOL writer GERRY DUGGAN signing his newest release: DEAD RABBIT #1!
Get Full Details on WALKING DEAD DAY here.
Read more about DEAD RABBIT #1 here.
Heya Third Eye Faithful,

We've got a big, crazy awesome weekend planned for you all with the special 15th anniversary celebration of WALKING DEAD DAY -- which we'll be hosting at ALL Third Eye locations!

And, then, on top of that, we're going to be delivering you TWO EVENTS IN ONE at Third Eye Annapolis with our WALKING DEAD(POOL) DAY! That's right: DEADPOOL writer GERRY DUGGAN is launching his new series DEAD RABBIT at Third Eye, and hey -- we figured what better day to bring in the man who gave us Santa fighting zombies (don't worry, we'll have that awesome read in stock for you to check out -- look for LAST CHRISTMAS on the signing table) than WALKING DEAD DAY!

What is WALKING DEAD DAY? For 15 years, this series has delivered one of the most compelling reads in comics. The TV show truly does not do it justice, and now Image is celebrating the long-running goodness of this modern classic.

We've got some of the following fun stuff in store, including:

FREE WALKING DEAD Walker Masks for the 1st 50 in line at Third Eye Annapolis, 1st 25 in line at Third Eye RVA, and 1st 25 in line at Third Eye SOMD!

FREE WALKING DEAD BUTTONS for the 1st 25 in line at ALL Third Eye locations!

FREE WALKING DEAD DAY Special Edition one-shot featuring MICHONNE, THE GOVERNOR, TYRESE, and MORGAN w/ any purchase (while supplies last)

PURCHASE THE WALKING DEAD BLIND BAG Editions - Key issues of the iconic series featuring art from the hottest artists in the biz today (the First Appearance of Michonne features a J.SCOTT CAMPBELL cover, which is super rad!) - the bags conceal different variations of the artwork - with there being the standard color cover, a virgin version (a little bit rarer), a black and white version (a lot rarer), and then a black and white virgin version (the rarest!!!)!

Limited quantities available!

COME IN WALKING DEAD COSPLAY & BE ENTERED TO WIN A WALKING DEAD PRIZE PACKAGE!

AND FINALLY: Save 20% OFF all WALKING DEAD Merchandise (excluding WALKING DEAD BLIND BAG Editions & SINGLE ISSUES)

Don't forget about the DEAD RABBIT Signing at Third Eye Annapolis! We're also hosting GERRY DUGGAN, writer of the brand new IMAGE series, DEAD RABBIT, along with INFINITY WARS & DEADPOOL, at Third Eye Annapolis!

It's gonna be a very awesome, and rare chance to meet Gerry for what is sure to be his biggest book -- and you can read all about that signing here!


Connect with us
Third Eye Games and Hobbies | 209 CHINQUAPIN ROUND RD, Suite 400, Annapolis, MD 21401





Oct 23: Ali Fitzgerald - Drawn to Berlin at Politics and Prose Union Market

Ali Fitzgerald - Drawn to Berlin: Comic Workshops in Refugee Shelters and Other Stories from a New Europe — at Politics and Prose at Union Market

Fitzgerald spent eight years in Berlin teaching her illustrating craft to centers asylum seekers from countries like Syria and Afghanistan – people who have often been targets of bigotry and hatred in both their native and adopted countries. Her powerful graphic memoir chronicles her experience with these extraordinary students, telling both their stories and her own. Fitzgerald, an artist who has exhibited extensively in Europe and the U.S., has had her comics regularly featured in The New Yorker, New York Magazine, and McSweeney's, and her book is a compassionate and intimate look at the empowering capacities of art, capturing the highs and lows of a decade in an ever-changing European metropolis.

 

This event is free to attend with no reservation required. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis.
Click here for more information.


Politics and Prose at Union Market   1270 5th Street NE   Washington   DC    20008

TODAY! Wimpy Kid tickets go on sale at noon

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/politics-prose-presents-jeff-kinney-wimpy-kid-live-the-meltdown-show-tickets-51159736148

Countdown to The Meltdown! In celebration of the launch of Diary of a Wimpy Kid #13: The Meltdown, join us for an imaginative evening at Wimpy Kid Live: The Meltdown Show, an interactive author experience hosted by JEFF KINNEY.

This one-hour show is packed full of trademark Wimpy Kid humor, trivia, cartooning, zany audience participation opportunities, and snowball fights. Stick around after the show for a photo with Jeff.

Tickets

Each Fan Ticket ($22) includes a copy of The Meltdown, a pre-personalized bookplate signed by Jeff, a photo with Jeff, and entry for one person to "Wimpy Kid Live: The Meltdown Show."

Companion Tickets (free) are reserved for parents, guardians, and children under 6 ONLY and include entry for one person to "Wimpy Kid Live: The Meltdown Show." A corresponding Fan Ticket is required for entry. Attendees may purchase as many Fan Tickets as they would like.

Each party of 2 must include at least one Fan Ticket.

Books may only be picked up at the venue the night of the event and cannot be picked up in-store beforehand.

Photos with Jeff will be taken using each customer's phone or camera.

No books from home will be signed.

About The Meltdown:

When snow shuts down Greg Heffleys middle school, his neighborhood transforms into a wintry battlefield. Rival groups fight over territory, build massive snow forts, and stage epic snowball fights. And in the crosshairs are Greg and his trusty best friend, Rowley Jefferson.

Its a fight for survival as Greg and Rowley navigate alliances, betrayals, and warring gangs in a neighborhood meltdown. When the snow clears, will Greg and Rowley emerge as heroes? Or will they even survive to see another day?

With more than 200 million copies sold across the globe in 65 editions and 56 languages, Wimpy Kid has turned millions of kids into readers.


Date and Time

Sun, November 4, 2018

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM EST

Add to Calendar

Location

Woodrow Wilson High School

3950 Chesapeake Street Northwest

Washington, DC 20016

View Map

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 1 day before event

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

The Post recommends Rube Goldberg exhibit in Philly

Enjoy complex, crazy and absurd machines? Check out 'The Art of Rube Goldberg.'

Cartoon from artleytoons

"Sub Standard"

—Steven G. Artley, artleytoons

(click on image for larger view)

©2018 Steven G. Artley • artleytoons • ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Oct 10-13: Fall for the Book at George Mason University



Events are at George Mason University's Fairfax Campus, located at 4400 University Drive, and at other locations throughout Northern Virginia. Visit our Planning Your Visit page for tips on travel, food, and more.

Except where noted, all events are free and do not require tickets, thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and partners.

All events are first come, first serve. In order to receive reserved seating, please consider becoming a Friend of the Festival.


Thursday, October 11
 1:30pm

Friday, Oct 12

3:30pm

Saturday, October 13
 12:30pm

Laura Lee Gulledge

https://fallforthebook2018.sched.com/speaker/laura_gulledge.1y89cbve?iframe=no&w=100%&sidebar=yes&bg=no

Roye Okupe


Oct 13: Matthew Thurber in Baltimore

Matthew Thurber launches Art Comic!

in NY, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Columbus, Baltimore and Providence!

Matthew Thurber launches his hilarious new graphic novel Art Comic with a performance, discussion, and book signing!

Art Comic is a blunt and hilarious assault on the swirling hot mess that is the art world. Sycophantic fans, duplicitous gallerists, fatuous patrons, and self-aggrandizing art stars: he lampoons each and every facet of the eminently ridiculous industry of truth and beauty. Part scathing condemnation, part irreverent appreciation, Thurber's comics skewer the art world in a way only an art lover can.


Baltimore, MD
Saturday, October 13, 2018 - 7:00pm
3620 Falls Rd, 21211