Thursday, November 20, 2014

Rudolph cartoon ephemera on sale at the Post Office

Cavna of the Post changes job description

Michael "Comic Riffs" Cavna is reporting on his new situation on Facebook:

For much of my career, I've been an arts, entertainment and features editor (often between holding down a visual-art career). Come the new year, though, I can look forward to being the FULL-time "Comic Riffs" columnist. My sincere thanks to everyone at The Post, and in the comics community, who has been so supportive of the Riffs journey so far.

PR: AMERICAN COMIC BOOKS, LITERARY THEORY, AND RELIGION: THE SUPERHERO AFTERLIFE

The author spent many years in DC, and used to work at Georgetown University. He tells me.

Palgrave Macmillan has published my American Comic Books, Literary Theory, and Religion: The Superhero Afterlife this week. More info can be found at www.SuperheroAfterlife.com or http://bit.ly/1tl3NDi  -- moreover, it can be purchased via Amazon at http://amzn.to/1F4z5Vu
...

A David Lewis, Ph.D.
Faculty Associate

MCPHS Online 
MCPHS University 

 

Dec 6: Art of Richard Thompson booksigning

Mark your calendar for The Art of Richard Thompson (with many special guests!) - Sat, Dec 6th at 2:30
 
We are honored, thrilled, excited (add your own adjective) to host an event to celebrate the release of The Art of Richard Thompson. Featured guests include editors Nick Galifianakis, David Apatoff, Chris Sparks, and Mike Rhode, as well as Michael Cavna of The Washington Post. There will be discussion of Richard's work, a short documentary about his career, a panel discussion with Q&A, followed by a book signing. This event will be at Arlington Central Library.

Richard will attend but will not sign books at the event. If you'd like a copy of The Art of Richard Thompson and/or The Complete Cul de Sac signed by Richard, please order here.
 
Richard best describes this wonderful event (I'm not sure about the face painting, but everything else is true):

GALA ANNOUNCEMENT WITH EARTH-SHAKING CONSEQUENCES! RICHARD, IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE ONE MORE PAGE, IS PLEASED, HECK TICKLED PINK, TO ANNOUNCE A BOOK-SIGNING & LAUNCH PARTY FOR THE ART OF RICHARD THOMPSON WITH EXTRAS.

THERE'LL BE A PANEL DISCUSSION, CELEBRITY APPEARANCES, SIGNED BOOKS, A WORLD PREMIERE OF A MAJOR VIDEO, CLOWNISH ANTICS AND FACE PAINTING!

The Express on the new Mutts play

'The Gift of Nothing' — a family-friendly collaboration between 'Mutts' creator Patrick McDonnell and director Aaron Posner — makes its world premiere at the Kennedy Center [in print as This F-word is 'feline']


(Patrick McDonnell Illustrations)

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

The Post reviews local Little Mermaid play

Disney musical 'Little Mermaid' bobs along at Olney


The sea creatures join Ariel (Lara Zinn) for the "Under the Sea" number in Disney's "The Little Mermaid" at Olney Theatre Center. (Stan Barouh)
Nelson Pressley By Nelson Pressley Theater critic
Washington Post November 19 2014
http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater_dance/disney-musical-little-mermaid-bobs-along-at-olney/2014/11/17/0d9ecc7a-6e86-11e4-ad12-3734c461eab6_story.html


'The Little Mermaid'
Book by Doug Wright, music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater. Directed by Mark Waldrop. Choreography, Tara Jeanne Vallee; lights, Julie H. Duro; puppets, Andrea "Dre" Moore. With Clark Young, Joe Chisholm, Kenneth Derby, Sean McComas, Nurney, Robert Mintz, Jane Bunting, Jennifer Cordiner, Gracie Jones, Ashleigh King, Taylor Elise Rector and Suzanne Stanley. About 2 hours and 15 minutes. Through Dec. 28 at Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd., Olney, Md. Tickets $32.50-$65. Call 310-924-3400 or visit www.olneytheatre.org

Nov. 28: Art Way Alliance at Geppi's in Baltimore

Art Way Alliance--a local non-profit organization that teaches kids how to make comic books,  manga and animation--will be at Geppi's Entertainment Museum Friday, Nov. 28, from noon - 6:00 p.m. with artists from Heaven & Hell Comics, Keir Knikia Lyles of Apocrypha Comics Studio and Enrica Jang of Red Stylo Media. They willl host demos throughout the day. Admission is included in ticket purchase.

Click for more info. 

Photo courtesy of Art Way Alliance

More To Come: Interviews from Baltimore Comic Con and SPX 2014

More To Come 115: Interviews from Baltimore Comic Con and SPX 2014

Produced by Kate Fitzsimons




In this week's podcast More to Come's Heidi "The Beat" MacDonald asks the question "What was the first comic to really blow your mind?" to artists and publishers at the Baltimore Comic Con, including Amy Reeder, James Tynian, Michel Fiffe, Chris Staros, Kat Robert, Jim Dougan, and Marguerite Bennet, and asks Ellen Lindner, James Sturm, Jude Killroy, Sabin and Noah Van Scriber at SPX on PW Comics World's More To Come.

More To Come 116: Interviews from Baltimore Comic Con and SPX 2014 Part 2

Produced by Kate Fitzsimons
on 09/21/2014

In this week's bonus podcast More to Come's Calvin Reid talks to Box Brown and Farel Dalrymple, and has his own questions for the much-interviewed James Sturm. Meanwhile Heidi "The Beat" MacDonald speaks with acclaimed comics retailer/publishers Andrew Carl and Josh O'Neil of Locust Moon and Little Nemo: Dream Another Dream on PW Comics World's More To Come.

An illustrated interview with Nate Powell on March

A Brief Conversation with Nate Powell

by Matt McClure and Jeremy McFarren

The Sequentialist November 13 2014

http://sequentialistoh.tumblr.com/post/102532110679/nate-powell-is-the-award-winning-cartoonist-of

Comic Riffs on Wonder Woman

THE 'NEW' WONDER WOMAN: As husband-wife creative team, Finches aim to focus on DC icon's 'strength of character'

By David Betancourt

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog November 19 2014

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2014/11/19/the-new-wonder-woman-as-husband-wife-creative-team-finches-aim-to-focus-on-dc-icons-strength-of-character/

 

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Comic Riffs on next year's Peanuts movie

The Beagle Has Landed: Why today's 1st full 'Peanuts' trailer is a high-flying marvel

By Michael Cavna

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog November 18 2014

 http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2014/11/18/the-beagle-has-landed-why-todays-1st-full-peanuts-trailer-is-a-high-flying-marvel/

Comic Riffs wants to send Miss Jemima to Washington

JUST HOURS (AND DOLLARS) TO GO: California teen aims to crowd-fund her class trip to D.C. through comics

By Michael Cavna

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog November 18 2014

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2014/11/18/just-hours-and-dollars-to-go-california-teen-aims-to-crowd-fund-her-class-trip-to-d-c-through-comics/

The Art of Richard Thompson video - behind the scenes interview

THIS JUST IN: 'The Art of Richard Thompson': Filmmakers behind new documentary short deftly capture 'the cartoonist's cartoonist' [Q&A]

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog November 18 2014

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2014/11/18/this-just-in-the-art-of-richard-thompson-filmmakers-behind-new-documentary-short-deftly-capture-the-cartoonists-cartoonist-qa

The Art of Richard Thompson short video

The Art of Richard Thompson

Richard Thompson has been called a "cartoonists' cartoonist." Find out why in this warm and moving portrait.

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Monday, November 10, 2014

Akino Kondoh's Nothing Whatsoever All Out in the Open on sale


From Ryan Holmberg:
Nothing whatsoever all out in the open by akino kondoh


Another small manga translation project that I organized, Akino Kondoh's Nothing Whatsoever All Out in the Open, is now available from Retrofit Comics, who are based in Philadelphia, and Big Planet Comics of the Washington, DC area.


Within a week or two, it should also be available for sale at most major comics shops in North America that carry small press publications.

Many of you will know Kondoh's work as an animator and painter, perhaps through solo shows at Mizuma Art Gallery or group shows at Mori Museum, amongst other prominent venues.

The new volume is 50 pages, priced at $6, and is headlined by a touching and elliptical work she recently created while living in New York, where she has been based for many years.

We hope to do more work with Kondoh-san in the future, so please help publicize this volume. I will also point out that it is perfectly sized and priced as a stocking stuffer, so buy a copy for every member of your extended family, as well as for your friends, workmates, and romantic partners. 




Sunday, November 09, 2014

Nov 21: Animezing: Time of EVE - The Movie

Banner
Animezing Series
Presented by the JICC, Embassy of Japan
Never miss an event! Find us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter  
Time of EVE: The Movie
Friday, November 21, 6:30 p.m.
Our Location:
JICC, Embassy of Japan
1150 18th St, NW
Suite 100
Washington, DC 20036


Driving directions

 


©Yasuhiro Yoshiura/DIRECTIONS, Inc. | 2010 | 106 min | Not Rated | In Japanese with English subtitles | Directed by Yasuhiro Yoshiura

Covering territory explored by "Blade Runner" and "I, Robot", "Time of EVE" is an exquisitely drawn, sci-fi allegory that probes questions of artificial intelligence and emotions, while flirting with the moral and personal implications of human-robot romance.

 

Two high school boys grapple with their own humanity in a world where people are serviced by androids distinguished from their masters only by the halo-like rings above their heads. Public mores, enforced by the shadowy Robot Ethics Committee, dictate that androids be treated like appliances, and those who empathize with their robots are branded as "android-holics." 

 

Rikuo and his childhood pal Masaki find their assumptions about androids radically challenged when they come across Time of EVE, a cafe where androids and people are treated as equals. Liberated from the strictures of the Ethics Committee, Masaki and Rikuo must confront old wounds of betrayal and grief, and are faced with decisions that put their friendship and families on the line. 

 

Winner of the Jury Recommended Work - Animation Division at the 14th Japan Media Arts Festival (2010). 

 

Please note this film contains some mild sexual content.  Recommended ages: 12 and up.

Register Now!
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Please note that seating is limited and registration does not guarantee guests a seat.

Registered guests will be seated on a first come, first served basis. Please contact us at jicc@ws.mofa.go.jp in the event of cancellation.

Doors open at 6:00 pm. No admission or re-entry after 7:00 pm.

 

JICC, Embassy of Japan | 1150 18th St., NW | Suite 100 | Washington | DC | 20036

The Post reviews Bungle Family

Cartoon ballons that soar to old heights [Book review: 'The Bungle Family' by Harry J. Tuthill]

By Dennis Drabelle

Washington Post November 9 2014

http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/2014/11/05/f1ed429a-54b3-11e4-892e-602188e70e9c_story.html

Super-collector Art Wood has passed away

Much of Art Wood's collection is now in the Library of Congress, and he briefly had opened a comic art museum near the White House. He was also an editorial cartoonist for Washington newspapers.


Mr. James Arthur Wood Jr.
June 6, 1927 - November 4, 2014
Obituary for Mr. James Arthur Wood Jr.

Saturday, November 08, 2014

Friday, November 07, 2014

Hannah Benbow interview on City Paper blog (with extras)

and here's some material that got snipped by editorial:

What's your favorite thing about DC?
I'd say my favorite thing about DC is seeing all of the monuments and being surrounded by so much history. I use to live in Arlington and had a running route that went through the Iwo Jima memorial, around Arlington Cemetery, across the bridge and past the Lincoln Memorial. It was just such an amazing view.

Least favorite?

benbow catProbably the metro and traffic, although the metro is my prime transportation for travel. The high fares, over crowding and constant weekend maintenance work outweigh the positives. When I do drive, I get so frustrated that I'm probably only driving 5 miles, but it takes 30-40 minutes. Basically flying cars and teleportation need to happen faster in the DC area.



Benbow teen
  

What monument or museum do like to take visitors to?

I love taking friends to the Theodore Roosevelt Island. Since it's a bit off the beaten path from the regular National Mall traffic, it never seems to be overcrowded. It's a great little get away into nature and away from the noise of the city.

How about a favorite local restaurant?

I'd have to say Founding Farmers is probably my favorite. Everything single thing on the menu is melt in your mouth delicious. I also love that they resource local ingredients. Although more a specialty shop, a close second would be Georgetown Cupcake. I have been one of those crazy people who will wait in their line – their red velvet's are worth it!
Do you have a website or blog?

Yes! My website is www.hannamations.com . I do have a blog that I update pretty much daily as well - hannamations.tumblr.com

Josh Kramer's latest cartoon restaurant review

How to Avoid The Sheppard's "No Photo" Policy? Sketch It

Posted by
Washington City Paper Nov. 7, 2014 p. 21
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/youngandhungry/2014/11/06/how-to-avoid-the-sheppards-no-photo-policy-sketch-it/

Comic Riffs talks to Bill Watterson

NEW BILL WATTERSON ART: 'Calvin and Hobbes' creator on why he accepted Angoulême honor ('I thought the whole thing was bananas') [Q&A]

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog (November 7 2014)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2014/11/07/new-bill-watterson-art-calvin-and-hobbes-creator-on-why-he-accepted-angouleme-honor-i-thought-the-whole-thing-was-bananas-qa/

The Post on Big Hero 6 cartoon

Animated tale with real heart [online as 'Big Hero 6' movie review: Baymax to the rescue]


A robotic nurse named Baymax (voiced by Scott Adsit) helps 14-year-old orphan Hiro (Ryan Potter) dig out of a deep depression. (AP/Disney)

By Michael O'Sullivan
Washington Post (November 7)
as High-tech, with heart.
Express (November 7): 24
http://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/big-hero-6-movie-review-baymax-to-the-rescue/2014/11/05/18ca7d08-613c-11e4-91f7-5d89b5e8c251_story.html

Ben Hatke slow-mo interview for Goodreads members

To promote his book, Julia's House for Lost Creatures, which was just nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award, Ben Hatke will be answering questions from Goodreads members, in a program we call Ask the Author, until Monday, November 10th.

Click here to ask him a question!

If Ben answers your question, you'll receive an email and notification letting you know.

"Ask the Author" launched in late May, and it is now open to all authors on Goodreads. Click here to see a list of more participating authors.

Thursday, November 06, 2014

Educating inmates about sexual assault

Local cartoonist Michael Auger created eight comics for American University Washington College of Law that educate inmates about how to identify and address incidents of sexual assault in custodial settings.
Courtesy of Michael Auger


Jason Rodriguez on 'Colonial Comics' and educating kids through comics

Multiversity Comics interviews Jason Rodriguez.

"At New York Comic Con this past October, I was introduced to Jason Rodriguez by our mutual pal Joshua Hale Fialkov. Jason (editor on “Elk’s Run” and “Postcards”), was there talking about “Colonial Comics: 1620-1750,” an anthology he edited for Fulcrum Books that told many of the stories of the colonial era through sequential art. As a bit of a history buff, it instantly sounded like something I’d like to have on my shelf."

Read more 


Comics Toolbox

Jason Rodriguez and Matt Dembicki’s Comics Toolbox offers professional help for four-color non-fiction.

comicstoolbox@gmail.com | http://www.comicstoolbox.com

WASHINGTON DC (Nov. 5, 2014) - Comics Toolbox will provide comprehensive comics-related services, from project management to presentations, specializing in history, culture, nature and science.

A growing number of publishers and writers/artists want to delve into the comics medium. The problem they often face is they don’t know the inner workings of comics, from developing timelines to managing creative teams. We can do that for you. 

Our team has more than a decade of experience in writing/drawing/editing award-winning comics and comics programs. Whether you are looking to host a hands-on comics workshop for students, teachers or librarians, or you are looking for help to manage a comic book-related project, Comics Toolbox can assist you in achieving your goals.

Contact us (comicstoolbox@gmail.com) regarding your needs and we’ll reply promptly. About our team:

Jason Rodriguez is a writer and editor in Arlington, Va. The books he has edited or contributed to have been nominated for an Eisner Award and 10 Harvey Awards. Jason is currently editing a three-book series of graphic novel anthologies about colonial New England and the Mid-Atlantic region for Fulcrum Publishing. The first book, Colonial Comics: New England, 1620-1750 was released in October 2014. His first sci-fi book, Try Looking Ahead, will be released spring 2015 by Rosarium Publishing.

Jason is a frequent speaker at conferences and shows on the subjects of teaching with comics and outreach through comics. He has recently presented at the American Library Association, Baltimore Book Festival, Massachusetts Independent Comics Festival, and Baltimore Comic-Con. In fall 2014, Jason entered a partnership with AAAS, the publisher of Science Magazine and the largest general science organization in the world, to launch a program dedicated to science outreach to kids using comics and other media.

Matt Dembicki is a cartoonist working and living in the DMV (District-Maryland-Virginia area). He previously edited and contributed to the Eisner-nominated and Aesop Prize-winning Trickster and District Comics, which the Washington Post included in its top books of 2012. Matt’s other comics projects include the nature-based graphic novels Xoc: The Journey of a Great White and Mr. Big: A Tale of Pond Life. His latest project is Wild Ocean: Sharks, Whales, Rays and Other Endangered Sea Creatures. Matt is co-founder of the D.C. Conspiracy, a Washington-area comic creators collective that publishes the semi-annual free comics newspaper Magic Bullet.

Matt is a frequent guest at schools, libraries and colleges, speaking about using comics as learning tools and holding comics-making workshops for students and teachers. Most recently, Matt was invited by the U.S. State Department for a weeklong visit to Peru to speak to students, teachers and the general public on comics. In December, he will be a guest of the Guadalajara International Book Fair in Mexico, the second-largest book festival in the world.

Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "Remember, Remember..."


"Remember, Remember..."
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=1597

Remember this day, DC!

Here's my best bud, DC Cannabis Campaign Chairman Adam Eidinger, on election night last Tuesday:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tK50ZicUP8

________________________________________________________________
Mike Flugennock, flugennock at sinkers dot org
Mike's Political Cartoons: dubya dubya dubya dot sinkers dot org

Dec 6: The Art of Richard Thompson signing in Arlington

David Apatoff, Nick Galifianakis, Chris Sparks and Mike Rhode will be discussing the new book, The Art of Richard Thompson and signing copies. Richard will be attending, but not signing the book. A short film about Richard's career will also be premiered.

Saturday, December 6 at 2:30pm
Arlington Central Library
Auditorium
1015 N. Quincy Street 

Folks can pre-order signed copies of this and the Complete Cul de Sac from the website.

One More Page Books 
2200 N. Westmoreland Street #101 
Arlington, VA 22213 
703-300-9746 
www.onemorepagebooks.com

PR: Get your first look inside MARCH: BOOK TWO as pre-orders officially open!




Top Shelf Products

Get your first look inside MARCH: BOOK TWO as pre-orders officially open!

It's been a little over a year since we released March: Book One, and this graphic novel memoir by Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell turned into a smash hit. Debuting at #1 on both the New York Times and Washington Post Bestseller lists, March has quickly become a key resource for parents, librarians, teachers, and readers searching for a powerful way to bring the lessons of the civil rights movement alive for the modern world.

Now, after 40 weeks on the Bestseller List, after university reading programs, awards, and dozens of events making up the most ambitious book tour in Top Shelf history... it's time for Phase Two.

Our distributor Diamond Comics has released their November catalog for books shipping in January, confirming your suspicions that March: Book Two is set for release in January 2015 — and you can pre-order it from your favorite retailer! To celebrate, they've also published the first interview with all three creators discussing what lies ahead in Book Two:

    "If Book One is Star Wars, then Book Two is our Empire Strikes Back. The stakes are higher, the heroes are stronger, and the danger is more lethal... we show how these young people became a truly national force, and one of the key elements of the broader Civil Rights Movement." — Andrew Aydin

Diamond's also showing off a few first glimpses of interior art from Book Two. Don't miss it!

Retailers can now place their orders for March: Book Two with Diamond code NOV141657. In addition, there are two special editions available exclusively from Top Shelf — a hardcover edition, and a limited edition signed & numbered hardcover.

Thanks for all your support. We can't wait to get this incredible book into your hands.

Top Shelf Products

Your friend thru comics,

Chris Staros
Top Shelf Productions
PO Box 1282
Marietta GA 30061-1282
USA

chris@topshelfcomix.com
www.topshelfcomix.com



Comic Riffs on Jeremy Dale

RIP, Jeremy Dale: Friends remember 'Skyward' creator as big-hearted talent

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog November 5 2014
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2014/11/05/rip-jeremy-dale/

Nov 8: Lost Art Books in Brooklyn

LOST ART BOOKS SPX2014 1 sided WEB

Download a handy PDF!

Lost Art Books is one of the official sponsors of this year's Comic Arts Brooklyn (CAB) festival to be held on Nov. 8 from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. We'll be exhibiting and can be found in the upstairs hall at table #U36.

The festival is free to the public and is held at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Brooklyn. You can find more information about the show's exhibitors, programming, and special guests at Comic Arts Brooklyn's website. Download a copy of our handy floor plan flier with directions to our booth. Not only will you find every book we've published, but we'll also have our new limited-edition silkscreen poster by gig poster phenom, Jeffrey Everett. Come by our booth and introduce yourself; making new friends is our favorite part of exhibiting at these festivals.

Wednesday, November 05, 2014

Roger, Houston, Richard Thompson has landed


The Art of Richard Thompson! A box of contributor copies arrived yesterday!

Nov 8: Russ Kick at Politics & Prose

Russ Kick - The Graphic Canon of Children's Literature: The World's Greatest Kids' Lit as Comics and Visuals

Nov 8 2014 3:30 pm

What makes a story a classic? And how are folk tales like Little Red Riding Hood enhanced with a graphic treatment? From Snow White to Harry Potter, the timeless characters of childhood retain their appeal, and adults will delight in these stories and artwork as much as children. Join Kick, visionary activist turned anthologist, as he presents the fourth volume of his Graphic Canon. (Seven Stories)

$38.95
ISBN-13: 9781609805302
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Seven Stories Press, 5/2014