Retro Review: It's the Humanity That Keeps Us Captivated in Batman Returns
Tim Burton's 1992 superhero film reminds us that villains are just heroes with bad luck.
by Noah Gittell
Washington City Paper December 6th, 2024 https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/754663/retro-review-its-the-humanity-that-keeps-us-captivated-in-batman-returns/
DAN MORA in Conversation | June 27, 2023
SARAHTI G
Fantom Headquarters
Dec 3, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5PoDS81HGg
Dan Mora joins us at Fantom Comics in Washington, D.C. on Zoom to discuss his work with DC and Boom! Comics. From the Fantom Comics' archive of interviews with comics professionals.
Kateřina Čupová, trans. from the Czech by Julie Nováková (Rosarium)
The 1920s Czech sci-fi theater piece that coined the term "robot" and set the bones of the many plots of "replicants" to come in modern literature gets transformed into a graphic novel, where fluid watercolors contrast with the heady philosophical dialogue and stark moral message. In a kind of anti–Blade Runner style, here the light and soft colors of the world and character portraits actively defy the darkness of humanity's drive to oppression that is so profoundly depicted in these pages. —Meg Lemke, comics and graphic novels reviews editor<Interview: Jerry O'Connell on playing STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS' number one
Avery Kaplan on 12/05/2024
https://www.comicsbeat.com/interview-jerry-oconnell-on-playing-star-trek-lower-decks-number-one/
In Memoriam: Comic Writer, Editor, and Comic Creating Catalyst Richmond Clements
John Freeman on December 4, 2024
Remembering Richmond Clements: A Personal Tribute by Steve Tanner
December 4, 2024
https://downthetubes.net/remembering-richmond-clements-a-personal-tribute-by-steve-tanner/
One Highly Explosive Writer! [Richmond Clements]
Matt Badham
This interview was first posted to downthetubes in March 2010
https://downthetubes.net/creating-comics/one-highly-explosive-writer/
'Moana 2' Songwriters Break Down Film's Soundtrack
Jazz Tangcay
Dec 4, 2024
A cartoonist's guide to navigating 'normal' [Liana Finck]
Manoush Zomorodi
The digital story was written by Fiona Geiran.
TED Radio Hour episode So Awkward. April 19, 2024
https://www.npr.org/2024/04/19/1245304009/a-cartoonists-guide-to-navigating-normal
https://ondemand.npr.org/anon.npr-mp3/npr/ted/2024/04/20240418_ted_ted02.mp3
https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1245304009
Downtown Columbus literary hub Thurber House looks to raise $200,000 to keep its doors open
WOSU 89.7 NPR News | By Allie Vugrincic
Published December 3, 2024
Reviews: Iris: A Novel for Viewers [netherlands]
Oliver Ristau | December 5, 2024
https://www.tcj.com/reviews/iris-a-novel-for-viewers/
Pretty privilege: The stunning and troublesome Flash Gordon: Classic Collection Vol. 1
William Schwartz | December 5, 2024 https://www.tcj.com/pretty-privilege-the-stunning-and-troublesome-flash-gordon-classic-collection-vol-1/
Chris Gavaler & Nathaniel Goldberg (27 Nov 2024): How Stan Lee made
history: narrative revision, fictional metaphysics, philosophical semantics, Journal of Graphic
Novels and Comics, DOI: 10.1080/21504857.2024.2423751
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/21504857.2024.2423751
Published online: 27 Nov 2024.
RecolleXtions 001
Baby, let's put the "sex" in "X"
Joe Casey
Joe Casey Writes Dec 5 2024 https://thejoecasey.substack.com/p/recollextions-001
Interview: Chari Pere on winning Artist of the Year at JewCE! 2024
Noam Steinerman on 12/05/2024 https://www.comicsbeat.com/interview-chari-pere-on-winning-artist-of-the-year-at-jewce-2024/
RIVA Studios acquires iconic animation studio TeamTO
By Taimur Dar on 12/05/2024 https://www.comicsbeat.com/riva-studios-acquires-teamto/
'Secret Level' Creator Tim Miller & Director Dave Wilson Share the Cheat Codes to Their Winning Anthology
Tom McLean
December 4, 2024
https://www.animationmagazine.net/2024/12/secret-level-creator-tim-miller-director-dave-wilson-share-the-cheat-codes-to-their-winning-anthology/
This article was written for the
January '25 issue of Animation Magazine (No. 346).
November 26, 2024 by Gil
Episode 614 – Caitlin McGurk
Virtual Memories Show 614:
Caitlin McGurk
https://chimeraobscura.com/vm/episode-614-caitlin-mcgurk
https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/virtualmemories/Episode_614_-_Caitlin_McGurk.mp3
December 5, 2024 by Gil
Episode 615 – Eddie Campbell
Virtual Memories Show 615:
Eddie Campbell
https://chimeraobscura.com/vm/episode-615-eddie-campbell
https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/virtualmemories/Episode_615_-_Eddie_Campbell.mp3
Q & A with Terry LaBan
By Libby Morse
Dec 05, 2024
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/96662-q-a-with-terry-laban.html
Fall 2024 Children's Flying Starts: Tony Weaver Jr.
by Amanda Ramirez |
Nov 29, 2024
A version of this article appeared in the 12/02/2024 issue of Publishers Weekly under the headline: Tony Weaver Jr.
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/96616-fall-2024-children-s-flying-starts-tony-weaver-jr.html
Fall 2024 Children's Flying Starts: Cai Tse
By Shannon Maughan
Nov 29, 2024
A version of this article appeared in the 12/02/2024 issue of Publishers Weekly under the headline: Cai Tse
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/96613-fall-2024-children-s-flying-starts-cai-tse.html
Jentry Chau Vs. The Underworld is a quippy, gripping animated gem
Netflix's supernatural teen drama comes from the beloved studio Titmouse.
By Jenna Scherer | December 5, 2024
https://www.avclub.com/jentry-chau-vs-the-underworld-review-netflix-tv
Daredevil and Batman Writer Chip Zdarsky Spills Details About His "Dream" DSTLRY Project
By Kate O'Donoghue
Dec 1 2024
https://screenrant.com/chip-zdarsky-interview-dstlry-time-waits-daredevil/
Everlasting bond between friends honoured in Mark Knight cartoon
The tragic loss of Australian teenagers Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles this past week was felt around the nation, as captured in cartoonist Mark Knight's poignant picture of youth and beauty
Mark Knight
November 28, 2024
My Hero Academia and the Agony of Victory
Shaenon Garrity | December 4, 2024 https://www.tcj.com/my-hero-academia-and-the-agony-of-victory/
Rob Liefeld On The Importance Of Frank Miller's Work Right Now
Rob Liefeld talks about the the importance of Frank Miller's work, not just in the past but also his cover work in the present day.
03 Dec 2024 Rich Johnston https://bleedingcool.com/comics/rob-liefeld-importance-frank-miller-work/
Comics and The Big Lie [movie adaptations].
By Heidi MacDonald on 12/04/2024 https://www.comicsbeat.com/comics-and-the-big-lie/
'Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld' Creator Echo Wu Discusses the Origins of Her Demon-Fighting Teen
Karen Idelson
December 3, 2024 https://www.animationmagazine.net/2024/12/jentry-chau-vs-the-underworld-creator-echo-wu-discusses-the-origins-of-her-demon-fighting-teen/
This article was written for the
January '25 issue of Animation Magazine (No. 346).
Schmaltz comes for a small town in wishlist-thin That Christmas
Based on a series of children's books, That Christmas barely stuffs enough hokum in its stocking to make it as holiday background noise.
By Jacob Oller | December 3, 2024
https://www.avclub.com/that-christmas-review
Netflix's 'That Christmas' and How Locksmith Animation Bet on Brian Cox and Richard Curtis for a New Holiday Classic
Georg Szalai
December 4, 2024 https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/netflix-that-christmas-brian-cox-santa-santa-animation-1236064907/
Hey Wait Just One Second: Sunday comics
By Max Turnacioglu
Published Tuesday, December 3, 2024
https://www.tuftsdaily.com/article/2024/12/hey-wait-just-one-second-sunday-comics
Moana 2 reveals the catchphrase-laden secret to Disney sucking at sequels
The further adventures of Elsa, Moana, and Wreck-It Ralph aren't terrible. But why aren't they on that Toy Story level?
By Jesse Hassenger | December 2, 2024
https://www.avclub.com/disney-animated-sequels-moana-2
How Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim Expands Tolkien's Great Untold Story
Exclusive: We talk to Philippa Boyens, co-writer and co-producer on Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings movies, and the cast and crew behind new anime feature The War of the Rohirrim. Plus, an update on The Hunt for Gollum!
By Juliette Harrisson | December 2, 2024
https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/lord-of-the-rings-war-of-the-rohirrim-tolkien-untold-story/
Frank Cammuso
Written by Giuseppe Castellano
Notes on Illustration
https://illustrationdept.com/podcast/giuseppe-castellano-talks-to-frank-cammuso
Victoria Jamieson
Written by Giuseppe Castellano
Notes on Illustration
https://illustrationdept.com/podcast/giuseppe-castellano-talks-to-victoria-jamieson
Jules Feiffer
Written by Giuseppe Castellano
Notes on Illustration
https://illustrationdept.com/podcast/giuseppe-castellano-chats-with-jules-feiffer
NCS Reflections: Reels Edition
Johnny Sampson
national cartoonists society October 21 2024
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBZUMoyP1Iv/
Best Graphic Novels 2024 | SLJ Best Books
by Jasmine Amiri, Angie Jameson, Rosemary Kiladitis, Andrea Lipinski, Allison Tran
Nov 21, 2024
https://www.slj.com/story/reviews/best-graphic-novels-2024-slj-best-books
Creature Commandos Is Launching The New DC Universe
Exclusive: James Gunn and the cast of DC animated series Creature Commandos discuss monsters and the return of a Suicide Squad favorite.
By Joe George | December 2, 2024
https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/dc-creature-commandos-james-gunn-frank-grillo-alan-tudyk/
Lin Manuel-Miranda Says Writing Songs for 'Mufasa' "Raised the Bar" Because 'The Lion King' Album Was "All Bangers"
Christy Piña
December 3, 2024
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/lin-manuel-miranda-writing-songs-mufasa-the-lion-king-1236076104/
Join us for a series of presentations inspired by Conversations: Kerry James Marshall and John Singleton Copley. This special installation brings together three monumental paintings for a thought-provoking dialogue: Copley's 18th-century canvas Watson and the Shark and Marshall's two 20th-century works Great America and Voyager. These all maritime-themed paintings address the violent history of the transatlantic slave trade and the Middle Passage, the forced journey of enslaved people across the Atlantic.
Renowned scholar and curator Bridget R. Cooks and award-winning graphic novelist John Jennings, author of comics including Marvel's Silver Surfer: Ghost Light, begin the symposium by discussing the journey of the Black hero in visual art. Presentations by Nika Elder, Mark Godfrey, and Alysha M. Page share current research on Copley, Marshall, and Black sailors in 18th century, respectively. National Gallery curators Charles Brock and James Meyer will give introductions and gather in the installation for questions after the symposium.
1:00-2:00pm
Keynote Address: Bridget R. Cooks and John Jennings, Voyage of the Black Superhero
New York Times Best Seller, Marvel writer, media studies professor, and graphic artist John Jennings and art historian Bridget R. Cooks will discuss the persistence of the Black superhero in American comics and art. Taking Conversations: Kerry James Marshall and John Singleton Copley as a point of departure, these scholars will address the visibility of Black protagonists on their journeys for survival.
I'm sure the other talks will be interesting, but Jennings is the relevant one to us.
Penny reads frequently from her books in DC, so has almost certainly been in the bar. Here's the snippet of description (some of which is accurate, and some not).
It took Jean-Guy a few moments for his eyes to adjust to the dim bar in the basement of the storied Hay-Adams hotel. At least, he suspected there were stories, though he himself didn't know any.
The Hay-Adams had a front-row view of the White House. It was, in theatrical and professional-wrestling terms, in the "spit zone."*
The bar itself was windowless. Perhaps, Jean-Guy thought, because the men and women who frequented it would rather forget about the building looming right there. Or maybe there was a more practical reason. It was private. No one could see out, but neither could anyone see in.**
There was a reason it was called Off the Record. He could see by the photos on the walls that this subterranean haunt was a discreet meeting place for Washington's political class.***
It was where apparent adversaries downed stiff drinks and shared bowls of peanuts and information.
Where journalists met contacts.
Where intelligence agents met informants.
They sat in the blood red chairs, surrounded by burgundy walls, and whispered their confidences.
"I'll have a Shirley Temple, please."
The waiter, who'd clearly heard and seen it all, merely asked if
Beauvoir wanted one maraschino cherry or two.
"Two please."
The waiter brought it, placing the perspiring glass on the face of the President of the United States. Beauvoir picked up the coasters strewn on the wooden table and saw that each had a caricature of a famous politician. Most American, but some foreign. None, that he could see, Canadian.**** Since Canada, as far as America's political elite knew, did not really exist. And if it did, it was merely an inconvenient extension of their nation. A sort of annoying younger sibling that sometimes tried to assert itself but could always be put in its place.
*Actually, Lafayette Park, which is a square city block, is between the bar and the White House.
**The bar does have some small windows, but it's mostly set below-ground so it would be a view of sidewalk-level ankles.
***There are no photos on the wall. The decoration is all political caricatures or cartoons, many of which date back to the 1980s. See our other posts about the bar.
*****I think there was a Pierre Trudeau one, but I don't own it.
"Animation Is the Most Timeless Kind of Storytelling": 'Moana 2,' 'The Wild Robot' and the Animation Roundtable . Six directors behind some of the most acclaimed animated films of the year discuss why they fell in love with movies, the threat of AI and how even cartoons "can express great truths." [inc. video]
Scott Roxborough
December 3, 2024
This story first appeared in a December stand-alone issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.
TV Review: CREATURE COMMANDOS is a triumph for the future of DC Studios
Taimur Dar on 12/03/2024 https://www.comicsbeat.com/review-creature-commandos-animated-series/
Beano Number One sells for over £4000, 2000AD Prog 2 With Free Gift for over £1000
By John Freeman on December 3, 2024 https://downthetubes.net/beano-number-one-sells-for-over-4000-2000ad-prog-2-with-free-gift-for-over-1000/
'For me, it's always exploratory': Discussions with Craig Thompson
Fredrik Strömberg | December 3, 2024 https://www.tcj.com/for-me-its-always-exploratory-discussions-with-craig-thompson/
Crunchyroll will soon paywall most of One Piece
The Sony-owned anime streamer will require a paid subscription to watch past episode 206.
Will Shanklin
Dec 2, 2024, https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/crunchyroll-will-soon-paywall-most-of-one-piece-214652714.html
Noel Time Like the Present! Unwrapping 'That Christmas' with a Visit to London's Locksmith Studio
Rich Johnson
December 2, 2024
This article was written for the
January '25 issue of Animation Magazine (No. 346).
The 'Creature Commandos' Creative Team Gives Us the Scoop on Max's Misfit Monsters
Jeff Spry
December 2, 2024
This article was written for the
January '25 issue of Animation Magazine (No. 346).
Sycamore Studios Picks Up 'Zita the Spacegirl,' Closes Series A Funding
Mercedes Milligan
December 2, 2024
2025 Oscars Short Film Contenders: 'A Wind And The Shadow' Director Kris Kelly [Ireland]
By Amid Amidi | 11/29/2024 https://www.cartoonbrew.com/awards/2025-oscars-short-film-contenders-a-wind-and-the-shadow-director-kris-kelly-243987.html
2025 Oscars Short Film Contenders: 'Tennis, Oranges' Director Sean Pecknold
By Kévin Giraud | 12/01/2024 https://www.cartoonbrew.com/awards/2025-oscars-short-film-contenders-tennis-oranges-director-sean-pecknold-244019.html
2025 Oscars Short Film Contenders: 'The Wild-Tempered Clavier' Director Anna Samo [Germany]
By Kévin Giraud | 12/02/2024 https://www.cartoonbrew.com/awards/2025-oscars-short-film-contenders-the-wild-tempered-clavier-director-anna-samo-244036.html
Peter Maddocks – RIP
D. D. Degg
https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2024/12/02/peter-maddocks-rip/
Peter Maddocks, prolific cartoonist with an eye for life's absurdities
'It's no good if the words are funny, but the drawing doesn't convey that fun – the cartoon won't work'
29 November 2024
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2024/11/29/peter-maddocks-cartoonist-newspapers-obituary/
Beloved BBC cartoonist behind Penny Crayon & Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles dies 'suddenly' aged 96 as son pays tribute
The famed artist died following a sudden short illness [Peter Maddocks]
Milad Sherzad, News Reporter
28 Nov 2024 https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/32000342/bbc-cartoonist-penny-crayon-teenage-ninja-turtles-dies/
Exhibition in Photos: The Inaugural Collective Exhibition of Martel BXL
Exposition Collective Inaugurale. Brussels, Belgium: Martel BXL. November 16 - December 7, 2024.
by Nick Nguyen
International Journal of Comic Art blog
December 1, 2024
https://ijoca.blogspot.com/2024/12/exhibition-in-photos-inaugural.html
Joe Corallo Talks Doom Patrol #68 - Creator Owned Art
Joe Corallo talks about his favorite comic art from his collection
Liam McGuire
Comic Frontier December 02, 2024
https://www.comicfrontier.com/p/joe-corallo-talks-doom-patrol-68-creator-owned-art
Joe Corallo on Rachel Pollack, Doom Patrol, and Coagula, the First Trans DC Hero
Joe Corallo talks about his relationship with the late comic legend
Liam McGuire
June 04, 2024
https://www.comicfrontier.com/p/dc-pride-rachel-pollack-coagula-interview
EXPLORE THE STORE: THE LAS VEGAS TOUR, PART 2: Torpedo Comics
Jeffrey Dohm-Sanchez on December 2, 2024
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/58383/explore-store-the-las-vegas-tour-part-2
Todays' Candorville cartoon and more
Why the mainstream news wants Lemont to come back
Darrin Bell
Darrin Bell's Disobey in Advance Dec 03, 2024
https://darrinbell.substack.com/p/todays-candorville-cartoon-and-more
Nolte, Robert. 1965.
Comic Books Are Latest Items on Collectors' List.
Chicago Tribune (May 9).
Online at https://danielbest1967.substack.com/p/comic-books-as-news
Stan Lee vs Jack Kirby
An Issue Of Memory
Daniel Best
Nov 4 2024
https://danielbest1967.substack.com/p/stan-lee-vs-jack-kirby
Daniel Best from Daniel Best - Author Dec 3, 2024
When The Comic Book Makes More Than The Film: Steel
https://danielbest1967.substack.com/p/when-the-comic-book-makes-more-than
Spawn in Hollywood; Or…How A Now Barely Watchable Movie Made Comic Book and Hollywood History: Parts One – Six.
Daniel Best
Nov 17, 19, 21, 25, 27 and Dec 2 2024
https://danielbest1967.substack.com/p/spawn-in-hollywood
https://danielbest1967.substack.com/p/spawn-in-hollywood-9de
https://danielbest1967.substack.com/p/spawn-in-hollywood-379
https://danielbest1967.substack.com/p/spawn-in-hollywood-42c
https://danielbest1967.substack.com/p/spawn-in-hollywood-bc5
https://danielbest1967.substack.com/p/spawn-in-hollywood-1b9
Wolverine & Roy Thomas: Doubling Down?
Daniel Best
Nov 11 2024 https://danielbest1967.substack.com/p/wolverine-and-roy-thomas
Stan Lee Media: The Shares
Part 5 Of An Ongoing Series Unraveling The Mess That Was
Daniel Best
Sep 9 2024 https://danielbest1967.substack.com/p/stan-lee-media-the-shares
Stan Lee Media: Who Owns Stan Lee?
Part 5 (sic, 6) Of An Ongoing Series Unraveling The Mess That Was
Daniel Best
Oct 18 2024 https://danielbest1967.substack.com/p/stan-lee-media-who-owns-stan-lee
Copyrights and Changing the Agreements
How the 1978 Copyright Laws Changed the Landscape
Daniel Best
Sep 26 2024 https://danielbest1967.substack.com/p/copyrights-and-changing-the-agreements
The Unknown Keep On Truckin' Case
How Crumb Lost His Own Work
Daniel Best
Oct 9 2024 https://danielbest1967.substack.com/p/the-unknown-keep-on-truckin-case
Family Guy is returning to Adult Swim
Disney pulled reruns from the network that saved the show in 2021, but now it's coming back.
By Mary Kate Carr | December 3, 2024
https://www.avclub.com/family-guy-returning-to-adult-swim-2025
Art Imitates Life: Walter Scott and His Comic Book Doppelgänger
The multidisciplinary is best known for creating the cult-favourite graphic novel series Wendy, chronicling the misadventures of a young artist in a contemporary art world.
Writer Rebecca Peng
Photographer Guillaume Simoneau
November 25, 2024
ArtIssue 103: Winter 2024
https://nuvomagazine.com/magazine/winter-2024/art-imitates-life-walter-scott-and-his-comic-book-doppelganger
Scholastic Prepares to Roll Out the Year of the Dog (Man)
By Sally Lodge
Dec 03, 2024
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/96632-scholastic-prepares-to-roll-out-the-year-of-the-dog-man.html
Huntsville Library moving animated Disney movies after policy changes
Moana, Frozen, and Coco are animated films celebrating cultural heritage, self-discovery, and bravery, featuring compelling stories, music, and vibrant visuals.
Jacob Holmes
November 29, 2024
https://www.alreporter.com/2024/11/29/huntsville-library-moving-animated-disney-movies-after-policy-changes/
Typewriter interview with Lynda Barry
November 5, 2024
https://austinkleon.com/2024/11/05/typewriter-interview-with-lynda-barry/
In Conversation: Mo Willems and Dan Santat
Dec 03, 2024
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/96631-in-conversation-mo-willems-and-dan-santat.html
How Juice WRLD Arrived in Fortnite
An avatar for the singing rapper, who died in 2019, appeared at a special event in the video game to debut a new song alongside Eminem, Snoop Dogg and Ice Spice.
By Ben Sisario
A version of this article appears in print on Dec. 3, 2024, Section C, Page 1 of the New York edition with the headline: In Fortnite, the Artist Can Always Go On.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/02/arts/music/juice-wrld-fortnite-video-games.html
'Despicable Me 4' Reviews Roundup: Critics Hated It, Not That It Matters
Amid Amidi | 07/05/2024
https://www.cartoonbrew.com/reviews-2/despicable-me-4-reviews-roundup-critics-hated-it-not-that-it-matters-241840.html
IDEAS DON'T BLEED episode one hundred sixteen | Steve Foxe, part two
Dec 03, 2024
https://ashcanpress.substack.com/p/human-cyborg-relations
Live with Shelly Bond about i-DOPPELGäNGER
Eli Schwab / Cosmic Lion Productions
Nov 26, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch/HzKUJcz2vUE
Pop Culture SquadCast - Live - Episode #068: With Special Guest Chris Condon
Pop Culture Squad 12/3/24
https://www.youtube.com/live/fWdgzZBwotM
Words, Images, & Worlds with Dr. Richard Olson
Jason DeHart
Dec 3, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch/zIgZQefhgsI
Tom King On Black Canary Wonder Woman and more
word balloon Dec 2 2024
https://www.youtube.com/live/GI8_NTXDDz4
A Cry for Financial Help
John A. Lent
Rarely, if ever, have I cried "poor mouth" on behalf of IJOCA. However, at this moment, the journal is facing hard times with the ever-increasing cost of postage and printing, the dwindling number of subscribers as we face competition from a number of periodicals started in this century, and the plight of financially-strapped libraries.
Perhaps, help can be found by ensuring that your university's library be convinced to subscribe, soliciting advertisements from book publishers and other groups tied to comics art, making sure that subscriptions are paid on time, asking subscribers to chip in a few extra bucks when renewing (which three or four already do), and convincing more of the comics studies community to subscribe. Over the years, there were requests that IJOCA also be put online. Mike Rhode took the time to format and digitize all issues, and we offered online subscriptions at $40.00 for individuals and $100.00 for institutions per year. That was two or three years ago, and only three new subscriptions have been received. A possibility that I would use only as a last resort is to raise subscription rates.
For a number of years, I have used my personal funds to pay an assistant's wages, purchase office supplies, and pay for other incidentals associated with IJOCA. I am willing to continue doing this, but the coffers of the journal need to be replenished. Thank you for any help that you are able to give.
SUPPORT CARTOONISTS RIGHTS, MARKING TWENTY-FIVE YEARS IN THE FIGHT FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
by Terry Anderson
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Almost a decade ago,
cartoonists everywhere were alerted to an unfolding event in the city of Paris,
France. There aren’t that many in the profession, so everyone has a friend (or
at least a friend of a friend) in France. Via social media posts and text
messages on the morning of January 7th, 2015, it became apparent
that something had happened at the office of Charlie Hebdo magazine. By
the end of the day, it was known that twelve people, among them five of
France’s best-known cartoonists, were dead. Within a week, crowds of a size not
seen in the post-war period had gathered in Paris and world-leaders walked
arm-in-arm, declaring their commitment to free expression.
As we approach the
tenth anniversary of that day, much has changed. France indelibly so –
cartoonists’ events there still take place under armed guard – while the rest
of the world has either qualified or largely forgotten the spirit of “Je Suis
Charlie”. Free speech has become a political football, and a favored hobby
horse of authoritarians and populists.
When asked, cartoonists no longer cite the violence of rogue
fundamentalists as their chief concern. Indeed, it's now those chummy world
leaders who made a conspicuous showing of solidarity on Parisian streets whom
they’re most worried about.
Increasingly, editorial and political cartoonists are abused and threatened online by party-politically motivated trolls, often en masse. They are criminalized under vaguely worded cyber security or anti-misinformation laws, jailed for “insulting” the government, judiciary, or army, and in the worst cases labelled seditionists and terrorists. For many, their only choice is to go into exile.
Cartoonists Rights Network International (or CARTOONISTS RIGHTS for short) was incorporated in 1999, the world’s first human rights non-profit with such cartoonists in mind. Founded by Dr. Robert “Bro” Russell, a resident of Virginia, over the last five years the organization’s program has been led by Executive Director Terry Anderson. Currently our president is Matt Wuerker (Politico). Other press cartoonists who currently or in the past have served as directors or advisors include Michael de Adder, Kevin “Kal” Kallaugher, Marc Murphy, Pat Oliphant, Joel Pett, and Ann Telnaes, as well as Dr. John A. Lent, founder of the IJOCA.
Like all non-profits, CARTOONISTS RIGHTS is now operating in a uniquely hostile environment. The passage of bill H.R. 9495 from House of Representatives to the Senate brings the Presidency one step closer to sweeping powers to penalize civil and human rights organizations.
Nevertheless, should any cartoonist in the USA be characterized as an “enemy within” during the next four years, they can expect the same level of commitment from us that we have extended to cartoonists from the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Central and South America in the last quarter-century.
Last year, we welcomed Abecor – a press cartoonist from Bolivia – to the National Press Club to receive the Robert Russell Courage in Cartooning Award after he had been harassed online and in person, and he and his family threatened with violence by partisans.
“For me and for my country this award is very important, since it renews the sense of preserving the right to free expression and knowing that artists, journalists and especially cartoonists around the world do not walk alone.” – Abecor
In recent years our award has been given in an alternating pattern with the FREEDOM CARTOONISTS FOUNDATION, Geneva. And so, in 2025 it falls to us once more to recognize a cartoonist whose bravery has exemplified adherence to democratic ideals and the principle of free expression under duress. The event will take place at a Washington, DC venue on May 3rd – World Press Freedom Day. More details to be announced nearer the time.
To support CARTOONISTS RIGHTS, please consider contributing during our Pledge Drive, commencing on “Giving Tuesday”, December 3rd.
Visit cartoonistsrights.org/donate and keep an eye on our social media for further announcements through the next three weeks: Bluesky – @cartoonistsrights.org • Facebook/Instagram – @cartoonistsrights • Mastodon – @cartooniststrights@newsie.social
