Monday, November 30, 2009

Dec 4: Tezuka Family Weekend at Freer


Tezuka Family Weekend 
Friday, Dec. 4 - Sunday, Dec. 6
(click image for details)

Kamishibai Performances and Workshops by Yassan
Unico2 Kamishibai ("paper dramas") are a form of performance popularized in Japan in the early twentieth century by traveling performers who bicycled from town to town, dazzling children and adults alike with exciting tales illustrated with colorful pictures. Today Yassan, one of its foremost practitioners, comes to the Freer to celebrate the work and legacy of Osamu Tezuka with a series of performances and workshops.

Performances
Friday, Dec. 4, 12 & 2 pm
Saturday, Dec. 5, 11 am & 1 pm
Sunday, Dec. 6, 11 am & 3 pm


Films

The Fantastic Adventures of Unico

Saturday, Dec. 5, 3:45 pm

Tezuka on Television
Princess Knight
Marvellous Melmo

The Three-Eyed One
Sunday, Dec. 6, 1 pm

Family Tours 
Friday, Dec. 4, 12:30, 2:30 & 3:30 pm
Saturday, Dec. 5, 11:30 am, 1:30 & 2:30 pm
Sunday, Dec. 6, 11:30 am, 3:30 & 4:30 pm




'Improved' Express cuts most comics UPDATED

The Washington Post's free Express paper was improved over the holiday and that means they cut 3 of the 5 comic strips they ran. Out are Bizarro by Dan Piraro, Cornered by Mike Baldwin, and The Duplex by Glenn McCoy. Remaining are Pearls Before Swine (which also appears in the Post) and Pooch Cafe, now in color.

Should you wish to question this improvement, you can write to inbox@readexpress.com

I will be doing so in a few minutes.

UPDATE: The editor wrote back to me to say, "We might feature fewer comics in our print edition now, but we've added an expanded comics section in an easy-access, newspaper-style format at our Web site, ExpressNightOut.com. You'll find Bizarro, Cornered and The Duplex there every day - plus a slew of new comics to make a visit worth your time. Those include Lio, Non Sequitur, The Argyle Sweater, Bound and Gagged, Candorville, Cul de Sac and the New Adventures of Queen Victoria. You can find them here: http://www.expressnightout.com/comics."

While I obviously don't agree with him, I appreciate the fact that he took the time to respond. I've just sent him a response which includes, "We'll have to agree to disagree though because if it's a commuting newspaper, then putting the comics online doesn't really help anyone except those with overly-smart phones. Besides the Post does that already. In the end, I just don't see providing less of something as a way to bring in more readers."

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Dec 6: Will Eisner Film

WILL EISNER: PORTRAIT OF A SEQUENTIAL ARTIST
Sunday, December 6, 12:15 pm
AFI Silver Theatre

Will Eisner started working in comics in the1930s, just as they were moving from reprints of newspaper strips to tabloids featuring original material, and Eisner had some of the most original creations of all.  He combined elements of art, literature and film that eventually led to a successful career in what he called "sequential art," the forerunner of today's graphic novels.  Starting in 1939, his gritty crime fighter series The Spirit incorporated "film noir" as well as elements of the Jewish experience and the fight against anti-semitism. Featuring interviews with Michael Chabon, Art Spiegelman, Jules Feiffer and others, this visually imaginative documentary captures Eisner's groundbreaking genius. USA, 2007, video, documentary, 96 minutes, Director: Andrew D. Cooke

SPECIAL GUEST Andrew Cooke, Director


For tickets and information about other WJFF films please visit WJFF.org


The 16th Street J is a gathering spot for everything from world premieres to year-round sports leagues to provocative dialogues.

Creativity, Community and Connection

washingtondcjcc.org

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and the The Blog at 16th & Q

 

 

SL (Shannon) Gallant, comic book artist, now in DC

SL (Shannon) Gallant has written in to introduce himself, and look for fellow artists. I've got to say that I've never bought GI Joe in my life (although I liked the small comics they used to package in their toy sets in the 1960s), but now I'll be picking it up

I'm a comic artist-illustrator living in DC and currently working for IDW on G.I. Joe. I've also worked for DC, Dark Horse, Marvel, and Titan UK in the past on titles ranging from Marvel Adventures:The Avengers and Torchwood to more cartoon oriented work such as Shrek and Monsters vs Aliens.

The last few months I've been making the effort to create connections with other artists in the area, through DC Conspiracy and other groups. I was hoping you might know similar professionals in the region I should try to get in touch with who are less likely to participate in such outings?

So if you're a comic book professional in the area, feel free to post below. Send me news of your current and upcoming projects and I'll promote them as well. I know my co-author Randy's compiled a list of local people at one point - does he still have that?

Fantastic Mr. Fox feature in Post

With Clooney in henhouse, Anderson has something to crow about
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, November 29, 2009

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Zadzooks interviews Dark Horse's Scott Allie and reviews Plastic Man

Zadzooks: Scott Allie interview, Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times November 26, 2009

Zadzooks: Plastic Man: The Complete Collection, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, The Complete Season One, Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times November 19, 2009

Mark Wheatley interview on Baker's Dozen

Bill Baker has an interview at Looking Back to See the Future: Mark Wheatley on IDW’s Mark Wheatley Library (part one of two), BAKER'S DOZEN for 11/25/2009.

Check out his books too - he's got interviews with Alan Moore and others. I bought a complete set recently.

The Real Story of the Superheroes photo exhibit CLOSING TODAY



I just got back from seeing The Real Story of the Superheroes photo exhibit and I'd recommend you rush into the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery on U St, NW at 16th St. and check it out. Photographer Dulce Pinzon clothed Mexicans working in New York City in Halloween superhero costumes loosely related to their jobs, and photographed them doing that work. 13 large images are displayed. It's a clever conceit and worth seeing. It's open until 3 pm today, the last day of the show.

Quick Reviews for Comics Due Thursday (NOT WEDNESDAY) 12-03-09

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE THURSDAY (not Wednesday) 12-03-09
By John Judy
 
BLACKEST NIGHT: THE FLASH #1 of 3 by Geoff Johns and Scott Kolins.  Barry and Wally have to duke it out with zombie rogues.  This one sells itself!  Recommended.
 
BLACKEST NIGHT: WONDER WOMAN #1 of 3 by Greg Rucka and Nicola Scott.  WW vs. Zombie Maxwell Lord, the guy whose head she nearly twisted off during that hideous OMAC storyline.  So let's twist again like we did last Summer!
 
THE BOYS #37 by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson.  The origin of The Frenchman!  Sacre bleau!  Not for kids!  Recommended.
 
DARK AVENGERS ANNUAL #1 by Brian Michael Bendis and Chris Bachalo.  Captain Marvel Boy wants out!  But every time he tries to get out Norman Osborn pulls him back in!  Plus, more Sentry craziness!
 
EMPOWERED SPECIAL written and drawn by Adam Warren.  "The Wench with a Million Sighs!"  The tribulations of a super-heroine as related by a captured demon-lord on her coffee table.  Features swearing, sighing and lots of zappage.  Recommended.
 
EX MACHINA DELUXE EDITION, VOL. 2 HC by Brian K. Vaughan, Tony Harris and Others.  Collecting issues 12-20 plus the two-issue Special, this makes a nice gift for the Super-Hero/Political Thriller fan on your list.  And you.  Recommended.
 
FALL OF THE HULKS ALPHA #1 by Jeff Parker and Paul Pelletier.  Doctor Doom and some other clowns who think they're on his level team up to bring down the Hulk family.  About time!  "Hulk!  There can be only one!"  Gotta look!
 
JSA ALL-STARS #1 by Matthew Sturges and Freddie Williams II.  The first issue of the new monthly spin-off title!  Featuring a more militant JSA so look for lots of punching, hitting and zapping.  No old people or brainiacs need apply.  Gotta look.
 
MARVELS PROJECT #4 of 8 by Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting.  Project Rebirth is on!  Steve Rogers hits the juice and the world of star-spangled super-heroes will never be the same!  Highly recommended.
 
POPEYE, VOL. 4: PLUNDER ISLAND HC by E.C. Segar.  A complete eight-month run of Sunday color comics featuring Popeye's epic battle with the Sea Hag and the Goon!  Plus dailies and a whole lot more!  Thank-you once again, Fantagraphics! Highly recommended.
 
SCALPED #33 by Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera.  Red Crow's leg-breakers vs. tattooed Hmong gangsters with FBI Special Agent Dash Bad Horse caught in the middle.  If you wonder where all the Awesome went this month, it's here.  Not for kids.  Highly recommended.
 
SIEGE: THE CABAL ONE-SHOT by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Lark.  Norman Osborn takes on Doctor Doom.  There's a reason this is a one-shot, folks.  Recommended.
 
STRANGE #2 of 4 by Mark Waid and Emma Rios.  A young woman saved by Dr. Strange becomes obsessed with learning everything she can about the Master of the Mystic Arts.  Maybe she can even figure out how he got replaced in the Magic Pecking Order by Brother Voodoo.  (I mean, come on!)  Anyway, this is really a good take on the Doctor by Waid and Rios.  Recommended.
 
SUPERGOD #2 of 5 by Warren Ellis and Garrie Gastony.  What a superhuman arms race would look like before everybody died screaming.  Yeah, that's it really.  Cheaper and better-written than 2012.
 
SUPERMAN: WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #10 of 12 by Greg Rucka, James Robinson and Pete Woods.  There's been a murder on New Krypton, which is really quite a feat if you think about it.  Now it's up to Supes and Adam Strange to track down the culprit.  With General Zod looking over their shoulders.  No pressure…
 
THOR #604 by Kieron Gillen and Billy Tan.  Y'know, if you're the new creative team following Straczynski and Coipel on THOR, you could do a lot worse than having the Thunder God beat the sweet, living bejeezus out of Doctor Doom.  Well played, gentlemen.  Recommended.
 
TORCH #4 of 8 by Mike Carey, Alex Ross and Patrick Berkenkotter.  So the original Human Torch is doing better now that the no-longer-dead Toro has freed him from the Mad Thinker's control. But boy, coming back from the dead just to get mind-controlled into char-broiling some random shmucks?  It throws off your game, y'know?
 
UNCANNY X-MEN #518 by Matt Fraction and Terry & Rachel Dodson.  Cyclops journeys into Emma Frost's mind to purge the evil influence of The Void.  Because he's too cheap to buy flowers!  Recommended anyway.
 


Mauldin biography wins history prize

I helped out a miniscule amount on the collection of cartoons, and ComicsDC contributor Warren Bernard helped out more so we'll call this ComicsDC news - Todd DePastino Wins 2009 Sperber Prize for his Biography of World War II Cartoonist Bill Mauldin, Pittsburgh, PA (PRWEB) November 27, 2009. Both books are well worth reading.

Tonight: Kal onstage in Baltimore (repost)

In a special collaboration, The Baltimore Improv Group and Kal will team up for a fun Thanksgiving weekend spectacular on Saturday, November 28, 8PM at Baltimore's Creative Alliance. For more info visit BIG's webpage:

Best

Kal

Friday, November 27, 2009

ComicsAZ, part 2 - The Flintstones

100_8614
Did you know the Flintstones were based in Arizona? Neither did I, until we passed this Flintstones Campground on the way to the Grand Canyon.

100_8615

I would have loved this as a kid. Actually it was kind of appealing as an adult too, but not after four hours touring the Canyon.

100_8603

I'm thinking the Buffalo Lodge was the reason for all the pickup trucks...

100_8606

...but maybe they were buying film.

100_8619
Rock Vegas or Bust, baby!

A few more pictures are on my Flickr site.

Express on Johnny Cash graphic biography

Darkness Rising: Reinhard Kleist's Graphic-Novel, 'Johnny Cash: I See a Darkness'
Stephen M. Deusner
Express November 24, 2009

Wes Anderson on Fantastic Mr. Fox in Onion

Wes Anderson's been interviewed all over the place for his new animated movie The Fantastic Mr. Fox, and one appears in the print Onion as well as a longer version online.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

U of Maryland prof on atomic bomb manga

See "Writing Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the 21st Century: A New Generation of Historical Manga," by Michele Mason, Asia Pacific Journal: Japan Focus (November 23 2009).

I haven't read the article yet, but anyone who hasn't read Barefoot Gen,the older manga that is not the subject of the article, should make the attempt now. There's a new 8-volume set out in English now.

That darn Herblock!

Herblock was a liberal?! Shocking!!

Library of Congress Spins Lefty Cartoonist Herblock as an 'Independent Spirit'
By Scott Whitlock
Newsbusters November 23, 2009

Dirda on Herge

The unheroic genius behind the adventures of Tintin
By Michael Dirda
Washington Post November 26, 2009

That darn Beeler!

The Thanksgiving (Nov 26) issue of the Washington Examiner has a letter from Sarita Chapman entitled 'Cartoons lampooning Obama are not funny' in which she says "I am beginning to feel that this ['caricature making fun of President Obama'] is racially motivated."

I know the cartoonist Nate Beeler, and I don't think that's true, although I think he's a bit hard on Obama. On the other hand, that is the job of a political cartoonist, isn't it?

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Mark Wheatley featured in Scoop

...in which he talks about why he collects - ORIGIN ISSUE: Mark Wheatley
Scoop November 25 2009

Call for a cartoon illustrator in DC area


Mike Licht passed this on, with the caveat at the beginning which applies to me as well (I also didn't know there was a DC bloggers meetup, so you can't trust me).


I have no idea about the terms here, but thought I would pass it on:
 
 
I know Leon from DC Bloggers Meetup. He writes a humor blog and has been doing standup comedy. Don't know the other guys.

NotionsCapital.com
Commentary on news events and culture from Washington, DC

Weldon's Thanksgiving graphic novel recommendations

Five MORE Tomes With Which to Tough Out Your Turkey Coma by Glen Weldon, National Public Radio's Monkey See blog November 25, 2009

Fantastic Mr. Fox reviews

Outfoxed Viggo Mortensen outwits cannibals, grimaces; Mr. Fox steals chickens, has a lot more fun.
By Tricia Olszewski
Washington City Paper November 25, 2009

'The Fantastic Mr. Fox' a little less-than-fantastic adaptation
By Sally Kline
Washington Examiner Movie Critic
November 25, 2009

'Road' a diverging spectacle; 'Fox' a sure-footed charmer
By Ann Hornaday
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Rob Ullman covers City Paper again


Rob Ullman has the cover of this week's City Paper - a bit of a change as he's doing cute gay guys rather than cute girls.

Politics and Prose and Jimmy Corrigan on Nov 30

There's no graphic novel book group meeting tonight - instead Ware's Jimmy Corrigan will be discussed on Nov. 30th.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

1/30: Darwyn Cooke at National Portrait Gallery

Darwyn Cooke will discuss his graphic novel The Hunter, based on 1962 crime classic by Donald Westlake (under pseudonym Richard Stark). January 30. 4pm.  Free.

Tip from Bruce Guthrie

Nov 28: Kal to Perform with Baltimore Improv Group

In a special collaboration, The Baltimore Improv Group and Kal will team up for a fun Thanksgiving weekend spectacular on Saturday, November 28, 8PM at Baltimore's Creative Alliance.  For more info visit BIG's webpage:

Best

Kal

Fantastic Mr. Fox interview on Comic Riffs

The 'Riffs Interview: WES ANDERSON introduces his fantastic 'Mr. Fox'


By Michael Cavna

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog November 24, 2009


Monday, November 23, 2009

Friends of ComicsDC badge



Because no one demanded it!


The official Friends of ComicsDC badge can now be ordered -- or be awarded for meritorious service (you'll have to take your chance on that though).

That artwork by David Hagen is certainly getting a workout. You can buy his stuff on Zazzle too.

ComicsAZ part 1



Last week, ComicsDC visited Arizona, and I'll put on my ComicsAZ guise for a few posts this week.

The above photograph refers to Krazy Kat's home in Coconino County of course. We didn't spot the Kat even though we drove through the county several times.

This cartoon by Bil Keane hangs in my cousin's house. He came in for something when she was running a print shop and did this drawing for her two children. She says she currently has a retired Disney animator for a neighbor - I'll try to get more details.

Weldon on Gaiman's Sandman

As I continue to catch up...

The Inevitable Post About Neil Gaiman's 'The Sandman' by Glen Weldon, National Public Radio's Monkey See blog November 18, 2009

Post-Thanksgiving comics sales in the area UPDATED

Beyond Comics:
Thanksgiving SALE!
Friday November 27th to Sunday November 30th
25% Off Comics & Graphic Novels*
10% Off Everything Else*
Up to 75% Off Select Store Items
(Visit individual stores for sale items)
T-shirts 30 % OFF
Friday 9:00 am to 9:30 pm
Saturday 9:00 am to 9:30 pm
Sunday 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
* Certain exclusions apply including recent arrivals. Not combinable with any other discount.
May not be used on subscriptions, special orders, or held items.

Cards, Comics & Collectibles (Reistertown, MD - 410-526-2321)
Friday-Sunday
New Comics 20% off
Graphic novels and collections 50% off
Modern back issues 70% off
Vintage comics 30% off
Toys and statues 50% off

Fantom Comics

Black(est) Friday... 25% Off EVERYTHING

Yeah, that's right, it's a Blackest Night week. But its Dark Reign stops here. We Siege control from this runaway Goblin by offering the deal of the year. On November 27th from 5:00 am until 9:59 am at our Pentagon City Mall location only, we are offering 25% off EVERYTHING! The perfect time to pick up multiple volumes of a series or upgrade your favorite graphic novel to the Absolute edition!

33% Off Back Issues All Week

Starting Monday November 23rd and ending Sunday November 29th, all back issues are 33% off. We recently cleaned out old subscriber folders, which has supplied new titles to our back issue section. Come early and often to get the series you may have missed, want to get caught up on, or want to start. This sale is limited to comic books within the white back issue boxes.

Coloring Cul de Sac Contest

Richard Thompson and Comic Riffs are sponsoring a color-your-own Cul de Sac contest.

Also Richard's telephone interview by Tom Racine, postponed from San Diego until recently is online.

Brad Meltzer writes Buffy

Former local writer Brad Meltzer is writing the Buffy comic book - Brad Meltzer Leaps Into the Buffyverse, by Jeffrey Renaud, Staff Writer, November 18th, 2009.

Freer's Tezuka fest report

Ed Sizemore was at the Freer's Tezuka weekend festival even though I couldn't make it (although a friend from work picked up Fred Schodt's book and had it signed for me).

Sunday, November 22, 2009

ComicsDC in search of Krazy Kat - Coming Soon!

Quick Reviews for Comics Due 11-25-09


QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 11-25-09
By John Judy
 
And this week we are thankful for…
 
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #613 by Mark Waid and Paul Azaceta.  OK, I gotta admit Waid has completely won me over with Electro taking on the Wall Street thieves.  Let's get Electro his own monthly title, stat!  Recommended.
 
ARCHIE #603 by Michael Uslan and Stan Goldberg.  In which we find out what would have happened if Archie had married Betty as God intended.  Veronica who?
 
BLACKEST NIGHT #5 of 8 by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis.  Finally the Big Bad behind the Black Lanterns is revealed!  It's Nekron!  You remember him!  C'mon, at least it wasn't Darkseid again.  Recommended.
 
THE BOYS, VOL. 5: HEROGASM SC by Garth Ennis and John McCrea.  In which we learn what the supes do to blow off steam.  Absolutely not for kids.
 
CHEW #6 by John Layman and Rob Guillory.  Presenting the further adventures of Comicdom's first cannibal clairvoyant, the FDA's own Agent Tony Chu!  This time up it's international cuisine! Recommended.
 
CHEW, VOL.1 SC by John Layman and Rob Guillory.  Collecting issues 1-5 of this twisted, amazing series about a man who gains psychic impressions from everything he eats. Recommended.
 
CRIMINAL: SINNERS #2 by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips.  Tracy Lawless has his assignment: Find the person who's whacking mobsters and try not to get whacked himself.  Just another tricky day…  Highly recommended.
 
DETECTIVE COMICS #859 by Greg Rucka, JH Williams III and Cully Hamner.  The origin of Batwoman continues while the Question hooks up with the Huntress!  This book!  Ya gotta love this book!
 
GOON #33 written and drawn by Eric Powell.  "Poop potato!"  Highly recommended.
 
GREEN LANTERN #48 by Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke.  The War of Light keeps blazing away.  Talk about colors clashing!  Recommended.
 
HULK #17 by Jeph Loeb and Ian Churchill.  Red Hulk smash!  And repeat…
 
IMAGE UNITED #1 of 6 by Robert Kirkman and the Image Boys.  The founders of Image Comics all draw their characters teaming up to fight a Bad Thing.  Featuring six variant covers to remind you of the good old days that made Image the most beloved company of fans and retailers alike.
 
IMMORTAL WEAPONS #5 of 5 by Dave Lapham and Arturo Lozzi. He's the guy even the other Immortal Weapons fear and revere.  He's John Aman, the Prince of Orphans, the Green Mist of Death, the Amazing-Man.  But what's his real story?
 
INCOGNITO SC by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips.  Collecting the mini-series that asked "What would it be like if Mr. Incredible was a bad guy?"
 
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #20 by Matt Fraction and Salvador Larocca.  Tony Stark is virtually brain-dead and not just from a wild night on the town.  Can even his old pal Thor pull him out of this one?
 
JUSTICE LEAGUE CRY FOR JUSTICE #5 of 7 by James Robinson and Mauro Cascioli.  Prometheus gets his due but not in time to save one of the team.
 
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #39 by James Robinson and Mark Bagley.   Black Lantern Doctor Light is back from the grave and not liking any of this.
 
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #33 by Bill Willingham, Matthew Sturges and Jesus Merino.  There's a traitor in the JSA!  Family meeting!
 
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: DEATHLOK VOL.1 HC by Doug Moench, Bill Mantlo and Rich Buckler.  Collecting the seventies adventures and origin of Marvel's first, great killer cyborg from the future, Deathlok the Demolisher.  Steve Austin he was not.
 
NEW AVENGERS #59 by Brian Michael Bendis and Stuart Immonen.  Spider-Woman and Spider-Man share an adventure.  Because you can never get too much Spider-Woman in a given month.  Watch your back, Wolverine.
 
NORTHLANDERS #22 by Brian Wood and Leandro Fernandez.  Hilda the plague widow must find a way to survive in a Viking community that has taken drastic steps to survive the disease ravaging their village.  And you thought waiting in line for swine flu vaccine was tough!
 
PREVIEWS by Marvel and Diamond Comics.  See what 2010 has in store comics-wise!
 
SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING, VOL. 2 HC by Alan Moore and Various Artists.  Collecting issues 28-34, plus the second annual of the book that introduced Alan Moore to America.  Too bad it didn't work out.  Highly recommended.
 
SHADE THE CHANGING MAN, VOL. 2: EDGE OF VISION SC by Peter Milligan and Various Artists.  Collecting issues 7-13 of this mind-bending eighties series about a man who falls to Earth and into the body of an executed serial killer who doesn't want to stay dead.  Recommended.
 
SUPERMAN #694 by James Robinson and Javier Pina.  Mon-El's back and Bizarro's getting' smacked!  Bam!
 
SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN #3 of 6 by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank.  Mr. Kent goes to Metropolis.  Recommended.
 
THOR GIANT SIZE FINALE by J. Michael Straczynski and Marko Djurdjevic.  Earthbound gods, Oklahomans, and Doctor Doom all come crashing together for this epic finale to JMS's revival of Marvel's classic character.  Gotta look!
 
ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS #4 by Mark Millar and Carlos Pacheco.  Everybody fights, ultimate-style!  May contain words.
 
UNCANNY X-MEN #517 by Matt Fraction and Greg Land.  Magneto's back so you know there's gonna be a dust-up!
 
WONDER WOMAN #33 by Gail Simone and Aaron Lopresti.  Wonder Woman in prison!  I'll be in my bunk….
 
And finally the set is complete!  Green and Red Lantern power rings!  Beware their power!
 
 


Saturday, November 21, 2009

IJOCA 11-2 table of contents

The new issue of the International Journal of Comic Art is out and here's the table of contents -

Vol. 11, No. 2, Fall 2009

 

Indian Cartooning Symposium

Edited by John A. Lent

 

An Illustrated History of Indian Political Cartooning

John A. Lent

3

 

Vivalok Comics: Celebrating All That Is Small in India

Karline McLain

26

 

G. Aravindan's "Small Men and the Big World":

Re- Defining the "Comic" in the Strip

Gokul T. G.

44

 

Making People Laugh:

Toms and K. J. Yesudasan, Premier Cartoonists

in Kerala, India

Shevlin Sebastian

53

 

The Most Popular Polish Comics (1957-1989)

Radoslaw Bolalek

59

 

The Smartest Comic on Earth:

Metafiction in Chris Ware's Acme Novelty Library #16

Paul Cheng

88

 

Lessons My Father Taught Me about Komiks

Clodualdo del Mundo, Jr.

103

 

"Sex and the City":

The Graphic Novel Series Aya

as West African Comedy of Manners

Marla Harris

119

 

The Next Generation of Comics Scholarship

Sandino and Other Superheroes:

The Function of Comic Books in Revolutionary Nicaragua

Bram Draper

136

 

Both Everyman and Other:

"Dilbert" as an Exemplar of Newspaper Comics' Simultaneous Identification and Distance

Julie A. Davis

176

 

Chronicler of Most of a Century:

Cartoonist Ding Cong (1916-2009)

John A. Lent and Xu Ying

195

 

"The Greatest Story Ever Drawn!"

Cleopatra in American Comics

Gregory N. Daugherty

208

 

Press Cartoons in France: A Short History

Jean-Marie Bertin

English translation by Micheline Maupoint and Alex Noel Watson

231

 

Vive la France, Now Who Are We?

Bande Dessinée, the 16 July 1949 Law,

and the Political Re-imagining of Post-World War II France

Joel Vessels

272

 

 

Beyond High and Low:

How Comics and Museums Learned to Co-exist

Kim Munson

283

 

Affect and the Body in Melville's "Bartleby"

and Jillian Tamaki and Mariko Tamaki's Skim

Patti Luedecke

299

 

Working Around Words:

Rauf Talishinsky's Azerbaijani Web Cartoons

Interview and Commentary by Alison Mandaville

Translation by Nikki Talishinsky

322

 

Drawn to Distraction:

Comics Reading in Kevin Huizenga's "Lost and Found"

Benjamin Stevens

336

 

From Bumpkin to Blessed --

Comics and National Identity: A Brazilian Case Study

Gêisa Fernandes D'Oliveira

350

 

Comic Book Artists and Writers and Philosophers

Jeff McLaughlin

364

 

An Essay

The Spirit Passes:  The Second Coming

of the Comic Strip's Golden Age

Charles Natoli

372

 

"How to Draw Thinking" Panel,

Small Press Expo, Rockville, MD, Oct. 14, 2006

Isaac Cates

380

 

An Essay

From Cartoon Art to Child Pornography

Murray Lee Eiland

396

 

Hong Kong Manhua after the Millennium

Connie Lam

410

 

Moebius, Gir, Giraud, Gérard:

Self-Visualizations

Maaheen Ahmed

421

 

Political Commentary and Dissent

in the Tapestry and the Cartoon Strip

Jamie Egolf

432

 

The Printed Word

John A. Lent

447

 

<Book Reviews>

Starr Hoffman

Héctor Fernández L'Hoeste

Sol M. Davidson

455

 

<Exhibition and Media Reviews>

edited by Michael Rhode

Ian Gordon

R.J. Gregov

Pascal Lefèvre

 Michael J. Dittman

Ron Stewart

Sarah Lightman

Ariel Kahn

Michael Hill

Michael Rhode

Ofer Berenstein

Peter R. Sattler

Beth Davies-Stofka

Nathan Atkinson

Jose Alaniz

472

 

<Portfolio>

515

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Post features local sports cartoonist

Sports cartoonist John Tayman of Maryland is featured in this article on the Post's website - Web-savvy cartoonist makes a bang with the NFL
By Jeff Newman
The Calvert Recorder
Thursday, November 19, 2009

Telnaes and Wuerker are runnerups for Berryman award

Editorial cartoonists Ann Telnaes and Matt Wuerker were Honorary Mentions for the annual Clifford Berryman award. Interestingly, they were both mentioned for their online editorial cartooning. Bill Day, who recently was fired, was also cited. His work submitted for the RFK Award this past year was excellent. The winner was Mike Keefe and the ceremony will be in Washington. Here's the press release:

Mike Keefe of Denver Post Wins Berryman Cartooning Award

From National Press Foundation; Wuerker, Telnaes, Day Also Cited

Washington, November 19 -- Mike Keefe of the Denver Post has been awarded the 2009 Berryman Award for Editorial Cartooning for a wide-ranging series of drawings that poked fun at politicians, journalists and public perceptions.

The award carries a $2,500 prize and a crystal trophy. The award will be presented at the 27th annual National Press Foundation Awards Dinner, Tuesday night, February 16th, 2010, at the Washington Hilton Hotel. The theme of the night’s dinner is, “Journalism Matters.” NPF has created a special blog about its dinner, http://tinyurl.com/yhvsozl.

The judges also awarded Honorary Mentions to Matt Wuerker of Politico and Ann Telnaes of washingtonpost.com for the “innovative use of animation in their work, which is expected to be the wave of the future.”

· One devilishly complicated animated cartoon from Wuerker is called, “The Really Big Operation. “ It is based on a children’s game in which contestants take turns trying to extract a bone or organ from a patient, using an electrified tweezers. In Wuerker’s online version, the “patient” is the U.S. health care system, and making a mistake (as everyone must do) results in a dialogue balloon popping up, saying for example, “BZZZT! Don’t even go near proposing Single Payer. You’ll be called a socialist!” www.politico.com/wuerker/animation.html

· Ann Telnaes, a Pulitzer Prize and previous Berryman winner, uses sound bites made by public figures and then constructs an ironic and often absurd reference for them – Uncle Sam carrying an enormous figure representing China on his back, while a Chinese figure holding U.S. exports in a gift bag stands nearby. When the screen goes dark, you hear the loud sound of Uncle Sam crashing to the ground. (www.washingtonpost.com, search for Ann Telnaes.)

· In another gesture towards the historically important venue of cartooning, the judges awarded a Certificate of Merit to cartoonist Bill Day, for a series of graphically powerful images highlighting child abuse. One showing a small child facing an enormous fist hardly needs a caption at all. Day is the former editorial cartoonist of the Memphis Commercial-Appeal, now syndicated by United Feature Syndicate. His work can be seen at www.unitedfeatures.com.

Keefe will narrative a dozen or so drawings at the event, which draws 1,000 people from the Washington journalism, policy and think tank communities. Single drawings from Wuerker, Telnaes and Day will also be shown. The cartooning award is always one of the highlights of the dinner, the single largest source of unrestricted revenue for NPF, a non-profit that provides no-cost, all expenses paid educational programs for journalists.

In one of Keefe’s entries, he mocks the health care debate and the public’s refusal to pay for infrastructure improvements with a drawing showing a family bumping along a miserable, rocky road. “WHY AREN’T YOU USING THE HIGHWAY?” a woman asks her husband. “I DON’T BELIEVE IN PUBLIC OPTIONS!” he snarls in return as a terrified baby in the back bawls his head off. Keefe has been the editorial cartoonist of the Denver Post since 1975. His work is available through http://www.intoon.com/.

The judges were David Rapp, editor-in-chief, Federal Computer Week, and VP/Content, 1105 Government Information Group; Kathy Mannix, executive director, Young D.C., and Walter Wurfel, broadcast executive. For information about participating in the NPF dinner, contact Kerry@nationalpress.org, 202-663-7282. For information about NPF, contact NPF president Bob Meyers, bob@nationalpress.org.

Nevin Martell Signing Take 2

Nevin Martell, author of Looking for Calvin and Hobbes, will be making an in-store appearance at the Bailey's Crossroads, VA Borders tonight at 7:30 pm:

http://www.borders.com/online/store/EventView?city=&state=&zipCode=&within=&all_stores=&selectedStoreId=10592&eventId=319313&

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

12/5: Matt Wuerker's Newseum event 12/5

Politico Cartooning with Matt Wuerker
Saturday, Dec. 5 at 2:30 p.m., Knight Studio, Level 3

Learn how Wuerker, Politico's staff cartoonist, selects and illustrates his favorite political fodder and hear his insights on how editorial cartooning can survive and thrive in multimedia journalism

-tip courtesy of
Bruce Guthrie
Photo obsessive
http://www.digitalphalanx.com/bguthrie


Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Washington Blade closes

The gay weekly Washington Blade closed yesterday, removing two comics from our purview - Mike Ritter's editorial cartoons and the irregularly published but regularly appearing comic strip Kyle's Bed and Breakfast. The Post is reporting now that the staffers plan to get a Friday edition out in spite of the dissolution of the parent company Windows Media.
 
The paper went seriously downhill when it was acquired, and hopefully it can be resurrected and go back to running three or four cartoon features although Dykes to Watch Out For is on indefinite hiatus.

Post on A Madascar Christmas

 
Every creature is stirring -- and it's still November

By Hank Stuever
Washington Post November 17, 2009

OT: Joe Kubert auctions his art

 Interesting article -

A Gallery of Heroes, Up for Sale

Baltimore Comic-Con at the VA Comicon

Richmond, Virginia - November 17, 2009 - The Baltimore Comic-Con is passing along the following press release from our friend and Harvey Awards sponsor VA COMICON, as we will be making a panel appearance during the show! Please join us at 2:30pm on Saturday, November 21st as Marc Nathan, founder and promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con joins Shelton Drumm of Heroes Con to discuss inside information about comic conventions as well as surprise announcements!



The VA COMICON comes to Richmond, VA November 21-22, 2009 with 6 different GI JOE artists! This will be the first two-day comic book show in the state of Virginia in over 25 years, and will take place across 10,000+ square feet at the Crowne Plaza West (6532 W Broad Street in Richmond, VA).

With Guests of Honor Larry Hama (the creator of the Modern Day GI JOE franchise) and Chris Claremont (the #1 best-selling writer of X-Men), the event will be a blast for the whole family! These guests will be joined by dozens of top comic artists and writers including 6 different creators behind GI JOE, three different creators behind Deadpool, Alex Saviuk, the artist behind Stan Lee's The Amazing Spider-Man in the newspaper, and more!


Other Exhibitors include CGC comics grading services, the Hero Initiative, Regal Cinemas, Brick Weekly, The Wieringo Scholarship, multiple small press vendors, Nascar Comics, and MORE!

FREE for ALL children, FREE if you come in Full Costume, and FREE if you have a Student or Military ID! All other tickets are just $10 for the entire weekend! The first 750 paid admissions will receive a FREE VA Comicon holiday variant of Witchblade #132 by guest Randy Green! Art Auction Saturday, Costume Contest Sunday! Much more information at the VA Comicon website at www.vacomicon.com!

Artist list:

LARRY HAMA (GI JOE, Wolverine, 'Nam)
KEVIN SHARPE (Nova, Army of Darkness)
CHUCK DIXON (GI JOE, Outsiders)
CHRIS CLAREMONT (All things X-Men)
BILLY TUCCI (Sgt. Rock, Shi)
ADAM LUCAS (Zuda Winner)
ALEX SAVIUK (Spider-Man Sundays)
JOHN GALLAGHER (Nascar Heroes)
KELLY YATES (Dr. Who, Amber Atoms)
ROBERT ATKINS (GI JOE, NBC's Heroes)
RICK KETCHAM (Amazing Spider-Man)
MIKE McKONE (Fantastic Four, Amazing Spider-Man, JLI)
JAMES KUHORIC (Dead Irons, Battlestar Galactica)
DAN PARENT (Betty and Veronica)
RANDY GREEN (Witchblade, Tomb Raider)
REILLY BROWN (Cable and Deadpool)
JIM CALAFIORE (Batgirl, Deadpool)
MARK McKENNA (Exiles, Countdown)
J.C. VAUGHN (CSI, Shi, Battlestar Galactica)
BUDD ROOT (creator of Cavewoman)
ANDY SMITH (Weapon X, Deadly Duo)
STEVE BIRD (Hard Time, Blue Beetle)
JOHN WYCOUGH (BloodRayne, GI JOE)
BRIAN SHEARER (Marvel Trading Cards)
KEN MARCUS (Super Human Resources)
LOUIS SMALL JR (Lady Death, Vampirella)
ERIC WOLFE HANSON (Micronauts, GI JOE)
STEVE CONLEY (Bloop, Star Trek)
RICK SPEARS (Teenagers from Mars)
JAMES CALLAHAN (Strange Detective Tales)
....and MORE!

We look forward to seeing you there! Tickets available online! All online ticket holders get in ½ hour early each day! Show hours are 12p-7p on Saturday, November 21, and 10-4pm on Sunday November 22! Free Bowling Party on Saturday Night! FREE Parking! Go to www.VAcomicon.com for info and to RSVP!
See you there!


Next Year's Baltimore Comic-Con
Please mark your calendars now to join us in 2010 on August 28th and 29th for the Baltimore Comic-Con's 11th year. Confirmed guests include Michael and Laura Allred, Howard Chaykin, Frank Cho, Amanda Conner, Dan DiDio, Al Feldstein, Ron Garney, Michael Golden, Geoff Johns, Michael Lark, Phil Noto, Jimmy Palmiotti, Eric Powell, James Robinson, Jim Starlin, Mark Texeira, and Marv Wolfman.

Details on guests, the Harvey Awards, industry exclusives, and programming leading up to the show can always be found at our website, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and ComicSpace pages.

DC Craft Mafia

I noticed an ad in this week's City Paper for the DC Craft Mafia's Holiday Heist on Saturday, November 21st. 12pm - 6pm. The event is to be held at The Soundry (316 Dominion Road, Vienna, VA 22180), and I know Carolyn Belefski with Curls Studio will be in attendance, a regular at local comics events. Perhaps a good opportunity to pick up some holiday artistic goodies (and some comics from Curls!).

Monday, November 16, 2009

Irene Vartanoff interviewed

Here's a feature on a local fan turned pro, Irene Vartanoff. Irene's sister Ellen lives in the area, and displays some of the family's artwork up at Montgomery College sometimes.

Interview with Irene Vartanoff!
Posted by Jacque Nodell
Sequential Crush blog Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Nov 21: Terry Flippo, Beyond Comics artist appearance



B E Y O N D      C O M I C S
Valued Friend
November 17, 2009

MEET COMIC ARTIST
Terry Flippo
Saturday November 21st
11:00 am to 3:00 pm
at our Frederick Store!
He will be signing comics and selling drawings of your favorite characters
Highly recommended for young fans!



Thanksgiving Weekend Sale!
It's coming...details soon.



Blue and Violet Lantern Rings
Are Here!

Free with the purchase of
Adventure Comics #4 & Outsiders #24


QUICK LINKS
Action Figures
Statues
Books
Graphic Novels
Variant Covers
Magazines
Manga
Action Figures & Toys
DC Universe Deadman action Figure Mattell
DC UNIVERS 6"
DEADMAN AF &

QUESTION AF

GEARS OF WAR 7-IN AF SER 5

GHOSTBUSTERS MINIMATES PX RAY & GLOW SLIMER

GHOSTBUSTERS MINIMATES SERIES 2 BOX SET

MARVEL MINIMATES SERIES 29 ASST

MARVEL MINIMATES SERIES 30 ASST

TERMINATOR 2 MINIMATES SERIES 2 ASST

Statues
Return to Wonderland Calie Statue
RETURN TO WONDERLAND CALIE STATUE

WOMEN OF THE DCU SERIES 2 VIXEN BUST

Books

DOC SAVAGE DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 31

RIP KIRBY VOL 1 HC

SPECTRUM VOL 16 TP

Recent Collections
Here are some recent acquisitions to our Frederick Back Stock.

1960's
Superman & Batman
Comics

These items are in the Frederick store and are available first come first serve.
INFO
Website

eBay Store
New Items Added9/7/09
Amazon Store

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Don't Miss:
Authority the Lost Years #3, Black Knight #1,
Dr Horrible One Shot, Flash Rebirth #5,
Talisman Road of Trials #1, Victorian Undead #1

Batman Battle for the Cowl HC, Green Lantern Corps Emerald Eclipse HC, Pictures that Tick TP, The Nam Vol 1 TP

Keep an eye out for our Tweeter Specials

New Comics
Dr Horrible One Shot Comic
ADVENTURE COMICS #4
AGON MERC FLIPBOOK
AIR #15
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #612
ANGEL ONLY HUMAN #4
ARCHIE DIGEST #259
AUTHORTY THE LOST YEAR #3
AZRAEL #2
BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #37
BATMAN STREETS
     OF GOTHAM #6

BATMAN THE UNSEEN #4
BLACK KNIGHT #1
BRAVE AND THE BOLD #29
CONAN THE CIMMERIAN #16
COWBOY NINJA VIKING #2

CYBERFORCE HUNTER KILLER #3

DARK AVENGERS #11
DARK REIGN LIST AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ONE-SHOT
DEADLOCKE ONE SHOT
DEADPOOL MERC WITH A MOUTH #5
DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP #4
DOMINIC FORTUNE #4
DR HORRIBLE ONE SHOT
DR HORRIBLE ONE SHOT (OSW) VAR #1
DR HORRIBLE ONE SHOT (OSW) VAR #2
FALL OUT TOY WORKS #2
FARSCAPE ONGOING #1
FLASH REBIRTH #5
G-MAN CAPE CRISIS #4
GOLD DIGGER #112
GOLD DIGGER TECH MANUAL #9
HELLBLAZER #261
INCREDIBLE HULK #604
INVINCIBLE #68
IRREDEEMABLE #8
JIM BUTCHERS DRESDEN FILES STORM FRONT #4
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA 80 PAGE GIANT #1
KOOKABURRA K #1
LEGION PROPHETS #1
LUKE MCBAIN #1
MICKEY MOUSE & FRIENDS #297
MIGHTY AVENGERS #31
NOLA #1
NOMAD GIRL WITHOUT A WORLD #3
OUTSIDERS #24
PRESIDENT EVIL #3
PUNISHER #11
REALM OF KINGS INHUMANS #1
REALM OF KINGS ONE-SHOT
SIMPSONS COMICS #160
SONIC UNIVERSE #10
SPIDER-MAN 1602 #2
SPIDER-WOMAN #3
STAND SOUL SURVIVORS #2
STAR TREK TNG GHOSTS #1
STAR WARS KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC #47
SUPER FRIENDS #21
SUPERGIRL #47
SUPERMAN BATMAN #66
SWORDSMITH ASSASSIN #4
TALES OF TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #64
TALISMAN ROAD OF TRIALS #1
THICKER THAN BLOOD #3
THUNDERBOLTS #138
TINY TITANS #22
TRANSFORMERS ONGOING #1
UNDERGROUND #3
UPTIGHT #3
VICTORIAN UNDEAD #1
VIGILANTE #12
VIKING #4
WALT DISNEYS COMICS & STORIES #700
WAR MACHINE #11
WE KILL MONSTERS #5
WOLVERINE ORIGINS #42
WOLVERINE WEAPON X #7
WORLD OF WARCRAFT #25
X-MEN LEGACY #229
ZORRO #17


Graphic Novels
Batman Battle for the Cowl HC


24 OMNIBUS VOL 1 TP
ALIEN LEGION OMNIBUS VOL 1 TP
BATMAN BATTLE FOR THE COWL HC
BLACK LIGHTNING YEAR ONE TP
CASPER FRIENDLY GHOST 60TH
     ANNIV HC
DAREDEVIL NOIR PREM HC
DARK AVENGERS VOL 1
     ASSEMBLE TP
DESTROYER PREM HC
DR WHO WIDOWS CURSE TP
FALL OF CTHULHU VOL 6 NEMESIS TP

GREEN LANTERN EMERALD ECLIPSE HC
HERCULES FULL CIRCLE PREM HC
JESUS HATES ZOMBIES LINCOLN HATES WEREWOLVEES GN
JSA VOL 3 THY KINGDOM COME PART 2 TP
KODT BUNDLE OF TROUBLE VOL 28 TP
MIDDLEMAN DOOMSDAY ARMAGEDDON APOCALYPSE GN
MIGHTY AVENGERS EARTHS MIGHTIEST TP
NANCY DREW VOL 19 GN
NEW AVENGERS VOL 11 SEARCH SORCERER SUPREMEN TP
PICTURES THAT TICK TP
POWERS ENCYCLOPEDIA VOL 1
PUNISHER DARK REIGN TP
ROBERT BLOCHS LORI GN
RUNAWAYS HOMESCHOOLING PREM HC
SHOWCASE PRESENTS DC COMICS PRESENTS VOL 1 TP
SPIRIT VOL 4 TP
THE NAM VOL 1 TP
TREASURY 20TH CENTURY MURDER VOL 2 FAMOUS PLAY SC
WAR OF KINGS HC
WASTELAND VOL 5 TALES O/T UNINVITED TP
WOLVERINE ORIGINS DARK REIGN TP
WOLVERINE ORIGINS ROMULUS PREM HC
X-MEN WOLVERINE GAMBIT PREM HC
ZOMBIE TALES VOL 1 TP
 

Variant Covers
ADVENTURE COMICS VAR ED #507
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN MCGUINNESS BLACK CAT VAR #612
CYBERFORCE HUNTER KILLER PORTACIO INCV CVR #3
FLASH REBIRTH VAR ED #5
IRREDEEMABLE INCV CVR #8
MICKEY MOUSE & FRIENDS INCV CVR #297
STAND SOUL SURVIVORS PERKINS VAR #2
STAR TREK TNG GHOSTS 10 COPY VIRGIN CORRONEY #1
TRANSFORMERS ONGOING 10 COPY DOYLE INCV #1
WALT DISNEYS COMICS & STORIES INCV CVR #700

Magazines
BACK ISSUE #37
BUFFY & ANGEL FIGURINE COLL MAG #1
BUFFY & ANGEL FIGURINE COLL MAG #2
CLASSIC MARVEL FIGURINE COLL MAGAZINE #107
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAG SPECIAL BATCYCLE
DC SUPERHERO FIGURINE COLL MAGAZINE #41
LEES TOY REVIEW #204
LOCUS #586
MAD MAGAZINE #502
STAR WARS VEHICLES COLL MAG #29
STAR WARS VEHICLES COLL MAG #30
STAR WARS VEHICLES COLL MAG #4
TOMARTS ACTION FIGURE DIGEST #182
TORCHWOOD MAGAZINE #18


Manga
OISHINBO JOY OF RICE VOL 6
TEZUKAS BLACK JACK VOL 8 TP

Please Note, some items are not available at all store locations.
For more information please speak with any store representative. Some items may also be allocated by the manufacturer and may not be available. Beyond Comics does not guarantee items being in stock; however we will do our best to keep them available.

Email:
Gaithersburg
John Shine Manager
or

Frederick
Jon Cohen Manager

Gaithersburg Store: 536 North Frederick Ave
Gaithersburg, MD (301) 216-0007
Hours: M,Tu 11-8; W-Sat 10-9; Sun 12-6

Frederick Store: 5632 Route 85
Frederick, MD (301) 668-8202
Hours: M,Tu 11-8; W-Sat 10-9; Sun 12-6
Thanksgiving
Sale!
It's Coming
Keep an Eye
Out for Details.
Offer Expires: November 29, 2009