Malaka Gharib is reading at Solid State Books

Malaka Gharib at Solid State Books

She's speaking about her new memoir, I Was The American Dream.

Eisner Awards have 3 local nominees

Rob Salkowitz has a good write-up on Forbes. We'll quote him about Tom King:

"Among individual creators, acclaimed writer Tom King got 5 nominations: Best Short Story (from DC's Swamp Thing Winter Special), Best Continuing Series (Batman), Best Limited Series (Mister Miracle), Best Graphic Album­–Reprint (The Vision hardcover), and Best Writer."

Our other local nominations are for Best Comics-Related Book:

• Drawn to Purpose: American Women Illustrators and Cartoonists, by Martha H. Kennedy (University Press of Mississippi)

and Best Academic/Scholarly Work:

• Breaking the Frames: Populism and Prestige in Comics Studies, by Marc Singer (University of Texas Press)

NPR reviews 'American Gods' graphic novel adaptation

This Graphic Novel Brings Gaiman's 'American Gods' To Chilly Life

Etelka Lehoczky

April 27, 2019

https://www.npr.org/2019/04/27/717559159/this-graphic-novel-brings-gaimans-american-gods-to-chilly-life

NPR reviews local author Malaka Gharib's new graphic memoir

In 'I Was Their American Dream,' It's Culture, Not Color, That Matters

Etelka Lehoczky

April 30, 2019  

https://www.npr.org/2019/04/30/718220595/in-i-was-their-american-dream-its-culture-not-color-that-matters

The Post on Iron Man and Robert Downey's successful run

Robert Downey Jr. and Marvel created a box office streak few thought was possible. Now they are doing something even more surprising. [in print as After 'Endgame,' Robert Downey Jr. seeks a third act].

By Steven Zeitchik

Washington Post April 30 2019 p. A15

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/04/29/robert-downey-jr-marvel-created-box-office-streak-that-few-thought-was-possible-now-they-are-doing-something-even-more-surprising/

Malika Kickstarter begins today

From Roye Okepe's newsletter:

It's an amazing day today!

Why? Because after over a year of hard work, Malika has finally arrived.

I have finally launched the Kickstarter for Malika (vol3) - Fallen Queen Part One.

Make sure you follow the link below today for EXCLUSIVE REWARDS (signed books, animation, merchandise, action figures, artwork & more) you won't see anywhere else 😎 
 

Support The Malika Fallen Queen Kickstarter To Grab EXCLUSIVE REWARDS Today!

Dana Maier returns to the New Yorker website

Friendly Reminders

By Dana Maier

April 28, 2019

https://www.newyorker.com/humor/daily-shouts/friendly-reminders

The Post on the INYT cartoon controversy.

N.Y. Times apologizes for anti-Semitic cartoon featuring Netanyahu and Trump [in print as N.Y. Times is 'deeply sorry' for cartoon].

By Paul Farhi

Washington Post April 30 2019, p. C1, 5

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/ny-times-apologizes-again-for-anti-semitic-cartoon-featuring-netanyahu-and-trump/2019/04/29/27832f08-6a96-11e9-a66d-a82d3f3d96d5_story.html

Tonight: Malaka Gharib at Solid State Books

We talked to Malaka a month ago, and now her book is coming out:

Malaka Gharib: I Was Their American Dream

• 600 H Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
   
• Tuesday, April 30, 2019
• 7:00 PM -  9:00 PM

• In Conversation with Shaheen Qureshi

  Event is from 6- 10 pm, with book talk beginning at 7 pm. 
  
  
  One part Mari Andrew, one part Marjane Satrapi, I Was Their American Dream: A Graphic Memoir is a triumphant tale of self-discovery, a celebration of a family’s rich heritage, and a love letter to American immigrant freedom. Malaka Gharib’s illustrations come alive with teenage antics and earnest questions about identity and culture, while providing thoughtful insight into the lives of modern immigrants and the generation of millennial children they raised.
  
  Malaka’s upbringing will look familiar to anyone who grew up in the pre-internet era, but her particular story is a heartfelt tribute to the American immigrants who have invested their future in the promise of the American dream.
  
  The daughter of parents with unfulfilled dreams themselves, Malaka navigates her childhood chasing her parents’ ideals, learning to code-switch between her family’s Filipino and Egyptian customs, adapting to white culture to fit in, crushing on skater boys, and trying to understand the tension between holding onto cultural values and trying to be an all-American kid.
  
  I Was Their American Dream is at once a journal of growing up and a reminder of the thousands of immigrants who come to America in search for a better life for themselves and their children.
  
  
  Malaka Gharib is an artist, journalist, and writer based in Washington, D.C. She is the founder of The Runcible Spoon, a food zine, and the co-founder of the D.C. Art Book Fair. She lives in a row house with her husband Darren and her 9-year-old rice cooker.
  
  
  Shaheen Qureshi is a poet, editor, and literary agent. Originally from the DC area, she has previously worked with 826DC and has taught writing workshops at Politics & Prose and Duende District. She is currently pursuing her MFA in writing at Bard and lives in Brooklyn. She is the daughter of immigrants from Pakistan and the Philippines. 
  
  
  600 H Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
  
  
  This event is FREE and open to all. Let us know you’re coming on Facebook.
   

NPR's PCHH says: 'Avengers: Endgame' Is A Satisfying Super-Wrap

'Avengers: Endgame' Is A Satisfying Super-Wrap

Linda Holmes,

Glen Weldon

Stephen Thompson

Scott Detrow

Pop Culture Happy Hour  April 26, 2019

https://www.npr.org/2019/04/25/717176602/avengers-endgame-is-a-satisfying-super-wrap

https://play.podtrac.com/npr-510282/edge1.pod.npr.org/anon.npr-podcasts/podcast/npr/pchh/2019/04/20190426_pchh_pchh_545_avengers_endgame__-_final-f31a248e-0c43-4285-9c08-e8580a35cb52.mp3

Chris Hemsworth returns as Thor in Avengers: Endgame.

Film Frame/Marvel Studios

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has brought us Iron Man movies, Thor movies, Captain America movies, Avengers movies, and many other superhero franchises over the last decade, and they all feed into one epic that ties up many of the loose ends. Today we're talking the juggernaut to end all juggernauts, Avengers: Endgame.

NPR talks to Peter Bagge

From 'Little House' to Libertarianism: Rose Wilder Lane's Troublemaking Life

Etelka Lehoczky

NPR April 21, 2019

https://www.npr.org/2019/04/21/715175808/from-little-house-to-libertarianism-rose-wilder-lane-s-troublemaking-life

Ann Hornaday on the Avengers

An ironclad adieu for Avengers franchise [online as In an era of never-ending stories, 'Avengers: Endgame' is teaching us how to say goodbye]

By Ann Hornaday

Movie critic

Washington Post April 26 2019, p. C1, 2

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/in-an-era-of-never-ending-stories-avengers-endgame-is-teaching-us-how-to-say-goodbye/2019/04/25/bc1a36d4-66a4-11e9-8985-4cf30147bdca_story.html

The Post on women in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

I watched 21 Marvel movies this month — and witnessed a decade of progress for women [in print as Over time, 'Avengers' women gain strength].

By Monica Hesse

Columnist

Washington Post April 25 2019 p. C1, 4

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/i-watched-21-marvel-movies-this-month--and-witnessed-a-decade-of-progress-for-women/2019/04/24/85b04a24-65d8-11e9-8985-4cf30147bdca_story.html

Local media reviews for Avengers: Endgame

Avengers: Endgame Is What Happens When Fan Service Goes Wrong

The finale of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's decade-long saga is a facsimile of a satisfying conclusion.

Alan Zilberman

Apr 24, 2019

https://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/film-tv/blog/21065856/avengers-endgame-reviewed

With humor and heart, 'Avengers: Endgame' is a fitting send-off for Marvel's superheroes

By Michael O'Sullivan

Reporter

Washington Post April 23 2019

https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/with-humor-and-heart-avengers-endgame-is-a-fitting-send-off-for-marvels-superheroes/2019/04/23/539f3890-6391-11e9-9412-daf3d2e67c6d_story.html

Mourning Has Broken Them: 'Avengers: Endgame'

Glen Weldon

NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour April 24, 2019

https://www.npr.org/2019/04/24/716315111/mourning-has-broken-them-avengers-endgame

The Express on Awesome Con

Awesome Con is back with wall-to-wall celebrities, gaming and comic book fun

By Angela Haupt

Express April 24 2019

https://www.washingtonpost.com/express/2019/04/24/awesome-con-is-back-with-wall-to-wall-celebrities-gaming-comic-book-fun/

Local cartoonists usually attend - ".... the toy-heavy Awesome Con Jr. is geared toward kids and families. There, cartoonist John Gallagher will instruct on the fine art of drawing Lego versions of popular characters, and designer Carolyn Belefski will guide kids on how to design their own superhero symbol."

Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW; entry Fri., noon-8 p.m., Sat., 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $40-$65 per day, $80-$175 for three-day pass, $15 for kids pass.

Herblock began 90 years ago

Not in DC though - DD Degg of the Daily Cartoonist has the story:

90 Years Ago – Herblock Debuts

  by D. D. Degg
April 23, 2019

http://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2019/04/23/90-years-ago-herblock-debuts/

The Post explains the events of the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Everything that's happened leading up to 'Avengers: Endgame'

Don't have time to rewatch all 21 previous movies? No problem.

By Sonia Rao and Shelly Tan 

Washington Post April 23, 2019

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2018/entertainment/avengers-infinity-war-mcu-timeline/

and looks into the prevention of spoilers....

A brief history of the insane precautions Marvel has taken to avoid movie spoilers from getting out [in print as Studio likes the strong, silent type].

By Sonia Rao

Washington Post April 23 2019 p. C1, 3

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/04/19/brief-history-insane-precautions-marvel-has-taken-avoid-movie-spoilers-getting-out/

Cavna of The Post on Avengers business model

'Avengers: Endgame' is a really big deal — for more reasons than you may think [in print as The marvel that is 'Avengers'].

By Michael Cavna

Washington Post April 23 2019 p. C1, 3

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/04/17/avengers-endgame-is-really-big-deal-more-reasons-than-you-may-think/

Kazuo Koike obituary in The Post

Kazuo Koike, creator of 'Lone Wolf and Cub,' 'Lady Snowblood' manga, dies at 82 [in print as Kazuo Koike, 82; Mangaka's pulp  fiction inspired filmmakers]

By Terence McArdle

Washington Post April 23 2019, p. B7

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/kazuo-koike-creator-of-lone-wolf-and-cub-lady-snowblood-manga-dies-at-82/2019/04/21/e2d65332-644e-11e9-82ba-fcfeff232e8f_story.html

PR: WOO HOO! Awesome Con 2019 is THIS WEEKEND!

It's gonna be AWESOME! Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. .               GEEK OUT WITH #AWESOMECON!      Copyright © 2019, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 35 Nutmeg Drive Suite 125 Trumbull, CT 06611 Sponsored by

Mike Cavna takes 2nd place newspaper award for Comic Riffs blog

85th National Headliner Awards Newspaper and Online winners

The 85th National Headliner Award winners honoring the best journalism for radio and television stations in 2018 were announced today. The awards were founded in 1934 by the Press Club of Atlantic City. The annual contest is one of the oldest

Best Blog

Second Place
"Comic Riffs: The Power of Political Art"
Michael Cavna
The Washington Post, Washington, D.C.

Since I've got the press release open, here's the editorial cartoon winners:

Editorial cartoons
First Place
Rob Rogers
RobRogers.com
Judges' comments: This collection of cartoons gets high marks for originality, diversity of topics, quality of artwork and clarity of message. An outstanding entry all around.

Second Place
Ward Sutton
The Boston Globe, Boston, Mass.

Third Place
Michael Ramirez
Las Vegas Review-Journal, Las Vegas, Nev.

Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "Space Force no.2: Mars Awaits"

From Mike Flugennock, DC's anarchist cartoonist

"Space Force no.2: Mars Awaits"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=2707

This was initially inspired by this article on Sputnik International, 
about the six military bases up for consideration for Space Force 
headquarters. After some curious digging, I've noticed they've gone 
from "Mars Awaits" to the slightly more modest "back to the Moon in 5 
years". Of course, the goal that's grabbing the attention of millions 
of us is VP Man From GLAD's consideration of nuclear weapons 
deployment in space.

Goes without saying Elon Musk is on board with the idea; I'm guessing 
his long game will involve a need for a few hundred Space Grunts to 
guard his gated Martian colonies for the rich.

-----

"Six Air Force Bases Being Considered to House Space Command - 
Reports", Sputnik International 04.09.19
https://sputniknews.com/military/201904091073973316-six-air-force-bases-house-space-command/

"Pence Calls for Landing US Astronauts on Moon in 5 Years", NBC 03.26.19
https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/politics/US-Astronauts-on-Moon-5-Years-Space-Council-507681681.html

"Musk Backs Space Force Proposal", SpaceNews 11.03.18
https://spacenews.com/musk-backs-space-force-proposal/

"Pence leaves open the possibility of nuclear weapons in space: 'Peace 
comes through strength'", Washington Post 10.23.18
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/pence-leaves-open-the-possibility-of-nuclear-weapons-in-space-peace-comes-through-strength/2018/10/23/801a732a-d6d9-11e8-83a2-d1c3da28d6b6_story.html

"A legal look at Elon Musk's plans to colonize Mars", The Space Review 
07.17.17
http://thespacereview.com/article/3286/1

That darn Curtis and Baby Blues

Art imitates life imitates art [letters on Curtis, Baby Blues].

Stephen Marschall, Lila Snow,

Washington Post April 20 2019

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/readers-critique-the-post-ageism-bauhauss-beauty-and-a-virtuoso-headline-performance/2019/04/19/e772adc2-62d3-11e9-bfad-36a7eb36cb60_story.html

Post's obituary for manga's Monkey Punch

Monkey Punch, Japanese cartoonist of Lupin III manga and anime series, dies at 81 [in print as Monkey Punch, 81: Japanese cartoonist's Lupin spawned film, TV spinoffs]

By News Services and Staff Reports

Washington Post April 19 2019, p. B6

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/monkey-punch-japanese-cartoonist-of-lupin-iii-manga-and-anime-series-dies-at-81/2019/04/17/4f1593ec-6133-11e9-9ff2-abc984dc9eec_story.html

Library of Congress blogs on superhero teams

Let's Talk Comics: Teams & Team-Ups

by Megan Halsband

Library of Congress' Headlines & Heroes blog April 18, 2019

https://blogs.loc.gov/headlinesandheroes/2019/04/lets-talk-comics-teams-team-ups/

What's interesting if you click through some of the links is to see what the Library is missing.

Marvel Team-Up (1972-1985) is missing 6 out of 150 issues.

no.1 (1972:Mar.),
no.3 (1972:July),
no.5 (1972:Nov.)-no.6 (1973:Jan.),
no.8 (1973:Apr.)-no.35 (1975:July),
no.37 (1975:Sept.)-no.53 (1977:Jan.),
no.55 (1977:Mar.)-no.62 (1977:Oct.),
no.65 (1978:Jan.)-no.150 (1985:Feb.),

Doom Patrol (1987-1995) is missing 5 out of 87 issues.

no.1 (1987:Oct.),
no.3 (1987:Dec.)-no.9 (1988:June),
no.11 (1988:Aug.)-no.40 (1991:Jan.),
no.42 (1991:Mar.),
no.44 (1991:May)-no.87 (1995:Feb.)

I'm sure they'd be glad to have donors help fill those holes.

RVA magazine on Abigail Larson and their regular comics column

RVA Comics X-Change: Issue 17

Ash Griffith | April 16, 2019

https://rvamag.com/art/zines-books/rva-comics-x-change-issue-17.html

Welcome to the Dark and Beautiful World of Abigail Larson

Ash Griffith | RVA Mag #36, April 15, 2019

https://rvamag.com/art/welcome-to-the-dark-and-beautiful-world-of-abigail-larson.html

Al Roker gave up cartooning for TV in DC

Thanks to the Daily Cartoonist...

Did you know Al Roker was a cartoonist for the Syracuse New Times?

April 17, 2019

https://www.syracusenewtimes.com/al-roker-cartoonist-syracuse-new-times/

New book from Dead Reckoning reviewed

REVIEW: 'ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT' TP

ICv2 Stars: 3 (out of 5)

 by Nick Smith on April 17, 2019

https://icv2.com/articles/reviews/view/43001/review-all-quiet-western-front-tp

Magic Bullet #18 is out

Magic Bullet 18 - Cover and ToC

http://magicbulletcomics.blogspot.com/2019/03/magic-bullet-18-cover-and-toc.html

MAGIC BULLET 18 is officially on the streets! The new issue has been printed, picked up, and the initial distribution run has begun. Look for it in comic book stores, music stores, book stores, coffee shops, etc!

We're excited to present the cover, from Eric Gordon, as well as the full table of contents.

Bozo      

Santiago Casares 

Carlos Torres 

Bizhan Khodabandeh 

Matt Rawson 

G.R. Lear 

Stephanie Butto and Evan Keeling 

Art Hondros 

Gabe McOwen 

Rafer Roberts 

Mike Brace 

Mike Cowgill 

Adam Griffiths 

Troy-Jeffrey Allen and Matt Rawson 

John Kinhart 

Maria Sweeney 

Rob Ciesielski

Dale Rawlings 

Steve Wallet 

Gordon Harris 

Andrew Cohen 

Kit Fraser 

Jon Poliszuk 

Teresa Roberts Logan 

Steve Steiner 

Beppi and Mary Knott 

William A. Anderson   

R.M. Rhodes and Evan Keeling 

Carolyn Belefski and Joe Carabeo

David Ross

Bruce Fasick 

NPR Talks to Darrin Bell

Pulitzer-Prize Winner Darrin Bell On How Trayvon Martin's Death Inspired His Work

Ailsa Chang

·  All Things Considered April 16, 2019

https://www.npr.org/2019/04/16/714073919/pulitzer-prize-winner-darrin-bell-on-how-trayvon-martins-death-inspired-his-work

https://ondemand.npr.org/anon.npr-mp3/npr/atc/2019/04/20190416_atc_pulitzer-prize_winning_cartoonist_darrin_bell_on_how_trayvon_martins_death_inspired_his_work.mp3

Josh Kramer reviews Brian Fies' A Fire Story

Reviews: A Fire Story

Brian Fies
Abrams
$24.99, 160 pages

REVIEWED BY Josh Kramer Apr 17, 2019

http://www.tcj.com/reviews/a-fire-story/

April 17-20 Popular Culture Association meeting in DC

Registration information is at https://pcaaca.org/conference

The guest registration option is available only for a one-day pass (24 hours) or for spouses and family members of presenters.  If you are attending the conference for more than one day, are a presenter or a returning member of the Association, you should pay the full conference fee.  Those violating this policy are subject to cancellation of their registration.

Please join us in Washington, D.C., for the 2019 PCA National Conference from April 17th through the 20th, 2019. We will convene at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park.  The Popular Culture Association is highly regarded in academe with thousands of academic oral presentations given internationally, two top-tier journals (Journal of American Culture and The Journal of Popular Culture), and over 3,000 members. This year's conference should be exciting with papers on a wide array of subjects.

Here's some items of interest to blog readers:

Animation

1314.

Animation I: Through the Eyes of Animators

Wednesday, April 17 – 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm

Jefferson

1414.

Animation II: Technology and Animation

Wednesday, April 17 – 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Jefferson

1514.

Animation III: The Wonderful Worlds of Disney Animation

Wednesday, April 17 – 4:45 pm to 6:15 pm

Jefferson

1614.

Animation IV: Animation and the Real World

Wednesday, April 17 – 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Jefferson

1714.

Animation Dinner

Dinner

Wednesday, April 17 – 8:15 pm to 9:45 pm

Off-Site Dinner

2114.

Animation V: Animation History

Thursday, April 18 – 8:00 am to 9:30 am

Jefferson

2214.

Animation VI: Commercialism, Consumerism, and Fan Aspects of Ani-

mation

Thursday, April 18 – 9:45 am to 11:15 am

Jefferson

2414.

Animation VII: An Examination of Gender Roles in Animation

Thursday, April 18 – 11:30 am to 1:00 pm

Jefferson

2514.

Animation VIII: Critical and Theoretical Approaches To Animation

Thursday, April 18 – 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm

Jefferson

2614.

Animation Special Screening I: "Mni Wiconi: Water is Life"

Thursday, April 18 – 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Jefferson

Asian Popular Culture

3428.

II. Manga: Japan

Friday, April 19 – 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm

Park Tower STE 8209

3628.

VI. Anime: Japan

Saturday, April 20 – 8:00 am to 9:30 am

Park Tower STE 8209

Comics and Comic Art

1362.

Comics and Comic Art 1: The Form

Wednesday, April 17 – 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm

Thurgood Marshall

North

1462.

Comics and Comic Art 2: Historical Perspectives

Wednesday, April 17 – 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Thurgood Marshall

North

1562.

Comics and Comic Art 3: Political Topics

Wednesday, April 17 – 4:45 pm to 6:15 pm

Thurgood Marshall

North

1662.

Comics and Comic Art 4: Shifting Identities

Wednesday, April 17 – 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Thurgood Marshall

North

2162.

Comics and Comic Art 5: Sex and Superheroes

Thursday, April 18 – 8:00 am to 9:30 am

Washington Room 1

2262.

Comics and Comic Art 6: Issues of Masculinity

Thursday, April 18 – 9:45 am to 11:15 am

Washington Room 1

2462. Comics and Comic Art 7: Screen Influences

Thursday, April 18 – 11:30 am to 1:00 pm

Washington Room 1

2562.

Comics and Comic Art 8: Heroes

Thursday, April 18 – 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm

Washington Room 1

2662.

Comics and Comic Art 9: Graphic Mothers

Thursday, April 18 – 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Washington Room 1

2762.

Comics & Comic Art 10: Roundtable on Comics Censorship

Round table

Thursday, April 18 – 4:45 pm to 6:15 pm

Washington

Room 1

2862.

Comics and Comic Art: Area Dinner

Dinner

Thursday, April 18 – 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Off-Site Dinner

3162.

Comics and Comic Art 11: Historical Perspectives Deux

Friday, April 19 – 9:45 am to 11:15 am

Washington Room 1

3362.

Comics and Comic Art 12: Monsters Inside and Out

Friday, April 19 – 11:30 am to 1:00 pm

Washington Room 1

3462.

Comics and Comic Art Area Meeting

Meeting

Friday, April 19 – 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm

Washington Room 1

3662.

Comics and Comic Art 13: Roundtable on X-Files

Friday, April 19 – 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Washington Room 1

3762.

Comics and Comic Art 14: Good Intentions

Friday, April 19 – 4:45 pm to 6:15 pm

Washington Room 1

3962.

Comics and Comic Art 15: Exhibitionist Behavior and Underground

Comics

Friday, April 19 – 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Washington Room 1

4162.

Comics and Comic Art 16: Form and Function

Saturday, April 20 – 9:45 am to 11:15 am

Washington Room 1

4262.

Comics and Comic Art 17: Stan Lee

Saturday, April 20 – 11:30 am to 1:00 pm

Washington Room 1

4362.

Comics and Comic Art 18: Comics in Performance

Saturday, April 20 – 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm

Washington Room 1

Baltimore's Marc Nathan interviewed

BUSINESS 3X3: MARC NATHAN AT CARDS COMICS COLLECTIBLES AND THE BALTIMORE COMIC CON

'Making a Jump into a Much Larger Location Was Key'

Posted by Jim McLauchlin on April 16, 2019

 

https://icv2.com/articles/columns/view/42984/business-3x3-marc-nathan-cards-comics-collectibles-baltimore-comic-con

Library of Congress collection used for wartime comic book research

#22 from Grand Comics Database

Paul Hirsch used the papers of the Writers' War Board held in the Library of Congress, specifically Box 11 of the collection, to look at how a semi-official government body influenced the depiction of the Axis in comic books during the war. DC Comics, Fawcett Comics, and Street & Smith are specifically mentioned.

The WWB also encouraged racial reconciliation in America at the same time, with a 'Race Hatred Committee' which helped with an anti-lynching story in Captain Marvel, Jr. #22.

Here's the citation and the abstract:

"This Is Our Enemy" The Writers' War Board and Representations of Race in Comic Books,1942–1945

Author(s): Paul Hirsch

Source: Pacific Historical Review, Vol. 83, No. 3 (Aug., 2014), pp. 448-486

Published by: University of California Press

Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/phr.2014.83.3.448

Abstract

During World War II, the U.S. government, through the Writers' War Board (WWB), co-opted comic books as an essential means of disseminating race-based propaganda to adult Americans, including members of the armed forces. Working with comic creators, the WWB crafted narratives supporting two seemingly incompatible wartime policies: racializing America's enemies as a justification for total war and simultaneously emphasizing the need for racial tolerance within American society. Initially, anti-German and anti-Japanese narratives depicted those enemies as racially defective but eminently beatable opponents. By late 1944, however, WWB members demanded increasingly vicious comic-book depictions of America's opponents, portraying them as irredeemably violent. Still, the Board embraced racial and ethnic unity at home as essential to victory, promoting the contributions of Chinese, Jewish, and African Americans.