Matt Lesniewski's Got It Covered: Reality Meets Fantasy in 'Crimson Flower'
by Troy-Jeffrey Allen
Apr 25, 2021
Monday, April 26, 2021
Simpson's Apu voice acting opinion article in The Post
Hank Azaria apologized for playing Apu on 'The Simpsons.' I accept. [Simpsons; voice actors; in print as Hank Azaria, I accept your 'Apu' apology].
Friday, April 23, 2021
May 6 Comics Event with Jim Lee from Library of Congress
EVENT | LECTURES AND SYMPOSIA
Jim Lee and Asian American SuperheroesThursday
May 6, 2021
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm EDT
Add to calendarFor Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, an event that celebrates the life work of DC Chief Creative Officer and Publisher Jim Lee. He will appear in conversation with illustrator Bernard Chang ("Generations Forged") and writers Sarah Kuhn ("Shadow of the Batgirl") and Minh Lê ("Green Lantern: Legacy"). Moderated by former National Ambassador for Young People's Literature Gene Luen Yang ("Superman Smashes the Klan").
This event will premiere on both Facebook External and YouTube External.
Online Only
Thursday, April 22, 2021
Both Fantom Comics and Beyond Comics are offering the Batman / Fortnite teamup
From their respective newsletters -
If you missed out on the start of the craze that is "Batman/Fortnite: Zero Point", don't worry!
For a limited time, we are offering a second-chance opportunity to purchase ALL 6 ISSUES of the run.
"Why would I want to read a Batman/Fortnite crossover?" you might ask. Well, you probably wouldn't.
But, if you (or more likely the kids in your life) are a Fortnite player, then you won't want to miss the chance to redeem the included codes for exclusive digital assets in the game - including an Armored Batman Zero Outfit for those who collect all six issues!
The deadline for purchase is Friday, April 30, and you must use the link below to complete the sale. Purchase includes all 6 issues of the run.
Batman/Fortnite: Zero Point sale link: https://app.moonclerk.com/pay/760omarjook0
Feel free to email us or call, if you have questions (fielding Batman/Fortnite questions has become a full-time job!).
As always, stay safe and thanks for supporting Fantom!
Fantom HQ
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For a limited time, we are offering a second-chance opportunity to purchase ALL 6 ISSUES of the run.
"Why would I want to read a Batman/Fortnite crossover?" you might ask. Well, you probably wouldn't.
But, if you (or more likely the kids in your life) are a Fortnite player, then you won't want to miss the chance to redeem the included codes for exclusive digital assets in the game - including an Armored Batman Zero Outfit for those who collect all six issues!
The deadline for purchase is Friday, April 30, and you must use the link below to complete the sale. Purchase includes all 6 issues of the run.
Batman/Fortnite: Zero Point sale link: https://app.moonclerk.com/pay/760omarjook0
Feel free to email us or call, if you have questions (fielding Batman/Fortnite questions has become a full-time job!).
As always, stay safe and thanks for supporting Fantom!
Fantom HQ
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Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Underfoot book 2 is out from Emily Whitten
I liked the first book a lot, so I asked Emily to let us know when the 2nd book was available on her store. She says, "here is the direct link to my store, where folks can buy signed books, bundles that include merchandise, and also themed bookplates that are being signed by me, Ben, Michelle, and Thom.
Here also is the link to my main website (which does link to the store as well)
Now through 4/27, if folks use the code "UF2DAYYAY" they can get 10% off on all books and book bundles (the starred items)."
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
April 29: Meet Trots and Bonnie
Meet Trots and Bonnie
On Thursday, April 29 at 7:30 pm EDT, Shary Flenniken will be talking about her legendary cartoon strip, Trots and Bonnie, which ran in National Lampoon from the 1970s until the early 1990s. Flenniken will speaking with New Yorker cartoonist Emily Flake and will present new illustrated adventures from America's funniest teenagers.
The rest of Warren Bernard on Cartoonist Kayfabe
Richard Corben's UNDERGROUND Comix - Slow Death, Fantagor, Anomaly, Rowlf, Death Rattle, and more!
Ed Piskor, Jim Rugg and Warren Bernard
•Apr 17, 2021
The Heavy-Handed Green Lantern/Green Arrow Comics From Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams!
Ed Piskor, Jim Rugg and Warren Bernard
•Apr 16, 2021
The Best Comic of the 20th Century - Krazy Kat by George Herriman
Ed Piskor, Jim Rugg and Warren Bernard
•Apr 15, 2021
Ted Rall and Pablo Callejo at noon CDT TODAY
Join Rain Taxi for a special midday event with Ted Rall from Brooklyn and Pablo Callejo from Spain as they discuss their new graphic novel The Stringer — the story of a world in which journalism is dying and a star reporter goes from reporting the news to manufacturing it. Rall is the acclaimed (and sometimes controversial) creator of biographies of Bernie Sanders, Edward Snowden, and Donald Trump, among a slew of other books; Callejo is one of Europe's finest and the artist behind the award-winning graphic novel Bluesman. Registration info HERE (and don't forget you can watch the replay if you're otherwise engaged at lunchtime!)
Monday, April 19, 2021
Comics at the Lily that weren't tagged as comics
I started tracking my menstrual cycle — and it has given me a renewed sense of control
As I'm getting older, I've noticed my cycle is affecting me more than it used to
(Maritsa Patrinos)
https://www.thelily.com/i-started-tracking-my-menstrual-cycle-and-it-has-given-me-a-renewed-sense-of-control/
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Teaching in the pandemic is tough. But after a whole year, there are important takeaways.
I run high-school art classes online and in person
Friday, April 16, 2021
The Post on adapting tv to animation due to pandemic
A scripted comedy series was about to be shut down by covid. So producers made everyone into a cartoon instead. 'No Activity,' a cult hit on Paramount Plus, took a most unusual route out of lockdown
Steven Zeitchik
Washington Post April 16, 2021
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/04/16/no-activity-animation-show-coronavirus/
DC-born Liza Donnelly interviewed by NBC News
How this cartoonist fought for her dream to draw for The New Yorker – and made it happen
In 1979, Liza Donnelly was only one of four women cartoonists at the prestigious magazine. Now she's using her art to inspire other women to pursue their passions.
By Brittany Loggins
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "DNC Ramen"
From Mike Flugennock, DC's anarchist cartoonist.
"DNC Ramen"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=3191
From the party that brought you DNC Dog Food, New Blue Money
Detergent, Blue Box Chardonnay, and their Premier Donut Assortment now
comes — DNC Ramen! Just the thing to blow that big-ass $2000 — uhh,
that is, $600 + $1400 — stimulus check that we were supposed to be
getting. Never mind that Gropin' Joe, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock
came right out and said in front of god and everybody that their being
elected would allow the immediate passage of $2000 per person in
Covid'19 relief.
That would be two thousand —count 'em — two triple-zero dollars. Not
the measly $600 and the "oh, alright" $1400 after that, which is what
Snopes uses to give its master class in triangulation and "meaning of
is" asshattery in an attempt to "fact check" what Biden & Bros said
right in front of our personal faces. Luckily, we now have
fact-checker checkers.
(includes full 11x15 and 8x10 "product shot")
------
"Did Biden, Ossoff, and Warnock Mislead Public With Promise of '$2000
Checks'?" Alex Kasprak at Snopes, 02.17.2021
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/biden-ossoff-warnock-checks-2000/
"Fact-Checking is Dead, Killed by Snopes over Biden's Broken Promise
of $2,000 Checks", Lambert Strether at Naked Capitalism, 04.08.2021
https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2021/04/fact-checking-is-dead-killed-by-snopes-over-bidens-broken-promise-of-2000-checks.html
"#TBT: What is the meaning of 'is'?" Brenna Williams at CNN,
08.17.2017
https://www.cnn.com/2017/08/17/politics/tbt-clinton-grand-jury-testimony/index.html
Mike Flugennock, Political Cartoons: http://www.sinkers.org/stage
and follow me on Mastodon at https://mastodon.social/@flugennock
"DNC Ramen"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=3191
From the party that brought you DNC Dog Food, New Blue Money
Detergent, Blue Box Chardonnay, and their Premier Donut Assortment now
comes — DNC Ramen! Just the thing to blow that big-ass $2000 — uhh,
that is, $600 + $1400 — stimulus check that we were supposed to be
getting. Never mind that Gropin' Joe, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock
came right out and said in front of god and everybody that their being
elected would allow the immediate passage of $2000 per person in
Covid'19 relief.
That would be two thousand —count 'em — two triple-zero dollars. Not
the measly $600 and the "oh, alright" $1400 after that, which is what
Snopes uses to give its master class in triangulation and "meaning of
is" asshattery in an attempt to "fact check" what Biden & Bros said
right in front of our personal faces. Luckily, we now have
fact-checker checkers.
(includes full 11x15 and 8x10 "product shot")
------
"Did Biden, Ossoff, and Warnock Mislead Public With Promise of '$2000
Checks'?" Alex Kasprak at Snopes, 02.17.2021
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/biden-ossoff-warnock-checks-2000/
"Fact-Checking is Dead, Killed by Snopes over Biden's Broken Promise
of $2,000 Checks", Lambert Strether at Naked Capitalism, 04.08.2021
https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2021/04/fact-checking-is-dead-killed-by-snopes-over-bidens-broken-promise-of-2000-checks.html
"#TBT: What is the meaning of 'is'?" Brenna Williams at CNN,
08.17.2017
https://www.cnn.com/2017/08/17/politics/tbt-clinton-grand-jury-testimony/index.html
Mike Flugennock, Political Cartoons: http://www.sinkers.org/stage
and follow me on Mastodon at https://mastodon.social/@flugennock
Meet an Icelandic cartoonist: A Chat with Animator Gísli Darri Halldórsson, part 2
(continued from part 1)
Alexandra Bowman: So what do you hope that people come away from this film thinking? How do you hope that their daily lives change?
Gísli Darri Halldórsson: I hope people will look at their own life and their daily life, you know? That's why I've made this film for myself. Somebody told me, and I really took that comment kindly, is that somebody said that the film had just felt like a hug.
Alexandra Bowman: I was looking at the comments on YouTube and the comments are beautiful. You should read them, if you haven't already. Someone said, “This really hit me hard. I feel this is what life is. We're a bunch of lonely people who are just trying to get along together. And this film kind of shows that amidst all the sadness we're going to keep progressing.”
Gísli Darri Halldórsson: It's funny because it seems like nothing's going on, but somebody said there's a lot of movies about Marvel superheroes saving the world but it feels like this is the battle of the everyday people, just people, who have normal jobs. And this is the biggest thing, how do I make life a bit more meaningful?
Alexandra Bowman: Realistically, like these are the battles we’re all are going to be fighting. There's so many definitions and concepts of what it means to see yourself on screen, but this is very much a way for everyday people to see things that they might not expect to be cinema-worthy on screen, in terms of “Wow, this is something that other people are dealing with and these are interesting kind of conflicts all their own as well.” How did you develop the humor in this film? Because there are a couple moments that are pretty dang funny.
Gísli Darri Halldórsson: I don't know how to answer that…
Alexandra Bowman: Did you get it instantly or did you have to like think it through?
Gísli Darri Halldórsson: Some of them, some of those things have happened. I've seen a moment. I've seen an old man break wind and his wife go “Eww.” I knew I definitely wanted to have it light because I knew it was a really dull subject matter and it was going to be not very exciting. I was trying to go for the silent film format where you don't cut a lot. You don't have that relief, because that didn't seem right with that subject matter. [The film has] one still camera and it doesn't move or anything. So I knew it needed to be light. In fact, during the writing process, my grandparents died and they came into the story. When people die, you just suddenly see the big picture of their life as well. That's kind of what really inspired me about their life - they were married for 65 years or so. I know they got on each other's nerves and stuff like that, but they just had this unbelievable way to turn something into a game, or just make a life out of things. I guess maybe that's what you learn over time, kind of rebelling against the mundaneness. I don't know…
Alexandra Bowman: Rebelling against it, but almost reveling in it and seeing the beauty in it at the same time, maybe rebelling against thinking about the mundane is mundane.
Gísli Darri Halldórsson: It's just like a twist in attitude. This person may annoy me, but we can have fun. I don't know, that's not the right way to say it.
Alexandra Bowman: This is in a way, even though it's so “every day,” and even though it seems boring and unexciting and regular at the time, there a beauty in it, and it probably is different, in terms of what that beauty is for everybody. But there is beauty there.
Gísli Darri Halldórsson: Yes, a little bit refusing to take part in this everyday-ness, you know, without having fun, your own fun, something like that. So I'm really happy because I did, even though the characters aren't really them, the energy between them is from my grandparents really.
Alexandra Bowman: So what will you be doing on Oscar night?
 |
Gísli Darri Halldórsson: I'll be in LA. I'm going to LA soon and we'll be quarantining until the ceremony. So I'm looking forward to that. Obviously if I'm COVID positive, I won't be going. [laughs]
Alexandra Bowman: So you're going to be in the Oscar auditorium then. When your film gets nominated, what does that look like? Do you get an email or…
Gísli Darri Halldórsson: I just have to watch the live show and then you get an email later after that.
Alexandra Bowman: You don't get anything in advance? You find out that your film got nominated at the same time as the rest of the world?
Gísli Darri Halldórsson: Yeah. Also when it was shortlisted, it was the same. I heard they I think I have Price Waterhouse Cooper to hold the envelope of the results, so nobody knows apparently who wins and stuff.
Alexandra Bowman: How do you submit a film to the Oscars?
Gísli Darri Halldórsson: Well, it has to be eligible, so they have a rigorous process. You have to go through to make it eligible. And to be honest, I have to say, I was just happy that it was eligible. That was my peak. And then I got nominated and I'm on cloud nine.
Alexandra Bowman: What makes a film eligible? Is it length requirements or what does that look like?
Gísli Darri Halldórsson: Yeah, a lot of requirements. It has to win in a certain film festival or be screened in a major city for a week in the cinema. Some other ones - obviously the year counts as well.
Alexandra Bowman: What do you hope wins the best animated feature Oscar? Do you have preference for those?
Gísli Darri Halldórsson: I've seen Soul. It's beautiful. I really like it. I have a three-year old, so I haven't been able to see a movie in a long time. I managed squeezing Soul there, but I'm hoping to use the time in quarantine to see them. Cartoon Saloon did WolfWalkers. I'm always a fan of them. I went to the same college as the founders of that studio.
Alexandra Bowman: Speaking of filmmaking, what is your
next project?
Gísli Darri Halldórsson: Oh, I have a few. I'm not sure which one is next. I think after this Oscar discotheque I'll know better, but I have a book that I want to do that’s almost ready. And I have a TV series and a live-action film and an animated film.
Alexandra Bowman: Any sneak peaks or into what they're about?
Gísli Darri Halldórsson: No. I burned myself on this before, about revealing something too soon that takes a bit of the edge in your head about it. I've learned that hard lesson before, but believe me, I want to say it…
Alexandra Bowman: Do you have anything else that you want to say to the masses about filmmaking or inspiration or art, creativity, any of that?
Gísli Darri Halldórsson: I don't know. I don't think so. Probably when I'm in bed tonight, I’ll go “Aha! I have this golden nugget that I could have shared.”
[End part 2, as the conversation turns to Georgetown University and basketball…]
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