Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Oct 3: KAL at CXC

from JP Trostle of the AAEC:

The AAEC editorial cartooning panel hits the CXC Festival screen this Saturday afternoon, Oct. 3, 2020.

The live roundtable discussion begins streaming at 2:30pm EST, moderated by Kal Kallaugher with a slate of AAEC cartoonists including Pat Bagley, Jen Sorensen, David G. Brown, Angelo Lopez and Eric Garcia.

Free pre-registration is required for the main event (with Q&A) but it will be restreaming on the CXC channels on YouTube and facebook:

https://cartooncrossroadscolumbus.org/sessions/may-you-draw-in-interesting-times-political-cartooning-in-2020/

The Post talks to Black political cartoonist Walt Carr

A Black political cartoonist's new book pokes and provokes. He's planning another [Walt Carr; in print as A veteran Black cartoonist takes setback in stride].

Courtland Milloy

Washington Post September 30, 2020, p. B1, 3

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/black-political-cartoonist/2020/09/29/43fc8dc8-0270-11eb-897d-3a6201d6643f_story.html

Bill Watterson remembers Richard Thompson at CXC intro

Announcing Special Guest Cameos!

Since we can't all gather in-person at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum, we're bringing the fun to you! We've gathered some of the most exciting voices in comics to tell you about their favorite treasures in the vault. Billy Ireland curators Jenny Robb and Caitlin McGurk will be joined by:
  • Gene Luen Yang
  • Laura Park
  • Art Spiegelman
  • Garry Trudeau
  • Mo Willems
  • Raina Telgemeier
  • Barbara Brandon-Croft
  • Hilary Price
  • Bill Watterson

Part of the Weekend Kickoff Reception!

CXC always begins with a reception on Friday night at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum. This time we're bringing it to you! Join us in cyberspace for a Pictionary-like game we're calling "Paper Charades" followed by a behind-the scenes tour of the Billy Ireland vault, unlike anything you've seen before. We've thrown in a few surprises that you won't want to miss. 

Friday, October 2, 2020 at 5:00 pm ET
Register for the Weekend Kickoff Reception

The Post on Disney theme park layoffs

Disney lays off 28,000 as coronavirus slams its theme-park business

Most are part-time workers, but the news shows the grim outlook for the leisure industry

September 29, 2020

Editorial Cartoon by Steve Artley

Recent Cartoon (click on Image for larger view)

"Make America Flush Again"

©2020 Steven G Artley • artleytoons • ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

 

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Smee on Guston exhibit postponement as de facto censorship

In postponing Guston exhibition, the National Gallery and three other museums have made a terrible mistake [in print as A stunningly misguided decision by four museums]

Fashion in Action fashion from JK Snyder III

From John, we hear -

I have just put up a Fashion in Action collection here  https://www.redbubble.com/people/jksnyder3art/shop?asc=u  


Some exciting things are in the works for Fashion in Action, more details to come!

If you wish to keep in the loop please feel free to follow me on my website  http://johnksnyder.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/johnksnyder3/ and

https://twitter.com/johnksnyderiii1  and  https://www.facebook.com/john.k.snyder.16/ 

Big Planet Comics Wednesday comics delayed


This message pertains to our Bethesda, College Park, and D.C. stores.

Due to circumstances beyond our control, this week's new comics shipment has been delayed by 24-hours.

Thus, we will not have subscriptions ready until 3 PM Wednesday. Because we are curbside only, we ask that you please not phone, as we will be engaged in preparation.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

(Vienna store will have comics ready at normal time.)

 

Monday, September 28, 2020

Flashback - John Gallagher interviewed 10 years ago

Ten years ago, give or take a few months, I did an interview with John Gallagher about his career to date. The City Paper may be doing something to its archives due to its current covid-19 financial trouble, but I'm interviewing John this week about Max Meow his new children's graphic novel from Random House, and I couldn't find the original talk we had, so I'm republishing it here so I can refer people to it. 

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Buzzboy’s John Gallagher

Posted by Mike Rhode on Mar. 29, 2010 formerly online at

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/03/29/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-buzzboys-john-gallagher/

 

With his character Buzzboy, John Gallagher has been a mainstay of the local independent comics scene for years now—for a decade it turns out. John’s a regular exhibitor at Baltimore Comic Con’s section for children’s comics, and is a nominee for the 2010 Harvey Award, which will be given out at the convention. Although he’s got a full-time job, he tells us that he’s also about to launch a new Web comic.

Washington City Paper: What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

John Gallagher: I am primarily a creator of kids comics, but in the same sense Calvin and Hobbes was a “Kid’s Comic.” I have self-published Buzzboy, a fun and funny super hero comic, for 10 years through my own Sky-Dog Press. I am getting ready to launch a web comic and simultaneous graphic novel called Zoey & Ketchup, about an imaginative little girl and her golden retriever. I also speak at schools across the country, talking about the magic and educational values of comics.

WCP: When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?

JG: December 28, 1967—same birthday as Stan Lee, just 40 years later, and with none of the fame!

WCP: Why are you in Washington now?  What neighborhood or area do you live in?

JG: I moved from rural PA to the area after college, for no other reason than my best friends from high school lived here, and that’s all that really mattered, having someone to hang with on weekends. Now, most of them have moved away, but I have stayed in the area, and maintained a high level of immaturity, living in Falls Church VA.

WCP: What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

JG: Mostly self taught—I went to a year of art school as part of Temple University in Philly—but it was just too small—when I transferred to Penn State, I was happy to be part of a very prestigious graphic design program, but was shocked to find no illustration classes. Most likely I would have gone to SVA or Kubert School, if I only knew they existed (no Internet back then!), but it turned out to be a godsend—I now do a combination of comics and grahic design, combining many of these skills for animation and comics for corporations, and pro sports teams like the Washington Capitals, Dallas Cowboys, and New York Islanders.

WCP: Who are your influences?

JG: The first art I drew was duplicating the Alex Toth-designed DC Comics’ Super Friends characters, and it was the foreword to Jules Feiffer’s The Great Comic Book Heroes that gave me the idea that I could create my own comics. As the years went on, Chuck Jones, Jack Kirby, Kyle Baker, Walt Kelly—they have all had a great influence on me. Currently, Richard Thompson, Steven Pastis, and Raina Telgemeier are my faves.

WCP: If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?

JG: I am right where I like to be—on the  verge of mediocrity. Kidding—I am lucky enough to be drawing comics and cartoons, and making a living at it—every few years my goals change, so now I have my sights set.

WCP: What work are you best-known for?

JG: Buzzboy, the adventures of the world’s coolest super-sidekick.

WCP: What work are you most proud of?

JG: I am really proud of the upcoming Zoey & Ketchup comic, which is being co-written with my daughter Katie, a comics virtuoso at age 8! It’s the first time I have really stepped away from super heroes, and embraced the kids side of what I do—it will really be a hybrid of sorts, part comic strip, part graphic novel, part diary-type, prose sections, when the story calls for it. Zoey keeps a sketchbook, like I did as a kid, and it chronicles her strange thoughts, like a diagram of the inner workings of her brother’s brain, consisting of one part drool, and the other part pickle obsession.

WCP: What would you like to do  or work on in the future?

JG: I am intrigued about the connection between the cartoonist and the audience that takes place in a Web-based comics blog—so that’s why Zoey & Ketchup will be a fun change.If I could take over anybody’s character, I would love to draw DC Comic’s Shazam/Captain Marvel, because he was the star of the first comic I ever read— the little boy in a big hero’s body is every kid’s dream.

WCP: What do you do when you’re in a rut or have writer’s block?

JG: I do one of two things—one is to reread my favorite comic strips (Peanuts, Pogo, Get Fuzzy, and Calvin & Hobbes), and let my mind start to get in the fun comics mode—the danger here is I often get so caught up in the story, I forget why I started reading, and don’t get back to the drawing board.

The other thing I do is do the opposite of comics, I goof off, I watch TV, I play with my kids—it’s living life that gives me ideas for stories, so walking through the real world allows me to see things and think, “What if this happened?”

WCP: What do you think will be the future of your field?

JG: For comics—a mix of Web, digital e-readers, and books and graphic novels only. Comics shops will become more like book stores, and floppy comics, at least by indy artists, will disappear, due to a combination of high print costs and poor distribution options.

Comic strips, the same, except I feel they may become even more important to the struggling newspapers—and could see a resurgence, if they are found to help circulation as much as I think they do.

I think the idea of giving away the short form comics on the Web or in the newspaper, will lead to better sales of the books and graphic novels.

WCP: What’s your favorite thing about D.C.?

JG: Well, Batman is pretty coo—oh, you mean Washington, DC! For one, I found my wonderful wife, Beth there—and she thought I wouldn’t find her wearing that fake mustache. C’mon, we’re the capital of the coolest freaking country in the world, everybody loves us!…

WCP: Least favorite?

JG: …except those who don’t love us.

WCP: What monument or museum do you take most out-of-town guests to?

JG: Air and Space at Dulles—they have a space shuttle! that blows just about everything else away. Natural History is cool, and the Smithsonian’s pop culture exhibits are truly inspiring, like last year’s Jim Henson exhibit.

WCP: Do you have a Web site or blog?

JG: Wow, a plug? I wouldn’t think to benefit from… oh, OK. I’ve already mentioned skydogcomics.com and zoeyandketchup.com, but there’s also stuff for sports teams at www.starbridgemedia.com.

WCP: One last note—on the Starbridge Media site is a link to NASCAR Heroes comic books.

Sunday, September 27, 2020

September 29 P&P Live! Ben Hatke-Julia's House Moves On

P&P Live! Ben Hatke-Julia's House Moves On

Julia's House Moves On Cover Image
$18.99
Julia's House for Lost Creatures Cover Image
$18.99

Julia and the lost creatures know it's time to move to a new place, and Julia has a plan to make it all go smoothly. But things don't always go according to plan, especially in a world full of impulsive giant turtles, circling sharks, and enormous krakens. Terrified and overwhelmed, Julia has no idea how to keep her magical household safe—but maybe it's not up to her alone. With Hatke's characteristically whimsical artwork, this exciting and poignant story will resonate with anyone looking for hope in unpredictable circumstances. 

Ages 4-8

A signed bookplate will be sent with each purchase, while supplies last.

Click here to join the Live! event.

Politics and Prose Live!   Washington   DC    20008

The Post on that darned Stan Lee

Oct 3: Kids' Storytime With Ben Hatke

Julia's House Moves On
Saturday, October 3 @ 11am (PT)
Buy the Book    
Author and illustrator Ben Hatke joins us for kids' storytime to share his new picture book, Julia's House Moves On (First Second). Julia and her house full of fantastic friends are back for another sweet adventure! Julia's house is restless. Julia and her family of lost creatures are ready to move on. But where will they go? And how will they get there? Don't worry — Julia has a plan for that! Julia always has a plan. But when Julia's plans all fail… What's left for her?

ARCHIE HORROR: The Panel

ARCHIE HORROR: The Panel

Ani-Mia, Archie Comics' Ron Cacace, and The Duchess of Free Comic Book Day, and Troy-Jeffrey Allen
 Sep 24, 2020

Episode 4! This month's topic is ARCHIE HORROR. Join Ani-Mia, Archie Comics' Ron Cacace, and The Duchess of Free Comic Book Day, and Troy-Jeffrey Allen for the spooky side of #Riverdale! https://www.previewsworld.com/ThePanel About THE PANEL: The Panel is a monthly book club show hosted by Ani-Mia with a rotating guest of comic fans, comic professionals, and the comic book curious. Assembled to discuss the merits of your favorite graphic novels, The Panel covers everything from superheroes to slice-of-life to manga - and all points in-between. Join us on social media and provide us with your hot takes, critical reviews, and musings on the month's book. Your thoughts could be featured on the next episode. Host: Ani-MIa Produced by Troy-Jeffrey Allen Edited by Kyle Robbey Sapphire Studios Do you like our apparel? Then stop at a comic shop and pre-order hats, tees, jackets, socks, and more: https://goo.gl/SWSRQp Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PREVIEWSworld Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/previewsworld/ Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/previewsworld

Troy-Jeffrey Allen interviews on 'Hotline Miami Wildlife'

Interview: Behemoth Calls Up 'Hotline Miami Wildlife'

Interview by Troy-Jeffrey Allen

Friday, September 25, 2020

Mo Willems: 2020 National Book Festival

Mo Willems: 2020 National Book Festival

Carla Hayden.
Sep 25, 2020

The bestselling author and illustrator Mo Willems, winner of three Caldecott Awards and creator of the Pigeon series as well as Elephant & Piggie, talks about his creative process and the "garden" that inspires his stories and his art. He launches "An Elephant & Piggie Biggie! Volume 3" (Hyperion) and "Unlimited Squirrels: I Want to Sleep Under the Stars" (Hyperion) at the Festival. Interview by Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden.