Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Tonight: Fantom Comics: Freaking Romance w/ Snailords 9/26 7pm
Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 9/25/2023
The Beat is looking for a Managing Editor
An exciting opportunity has arisen
09/25/2023
https://www.comicsbeat.com/the-beat-is-looking-for-a-managing-editor/
Federation Studios Acquires French Animation Group Go-N Productions
Anne de Galard and Eric Garnet's animation company, whose credits include 'Simon Super Rabbit,' 'Zip Zip' and 'Tootuff,' was named producer of the year at the 2023 Cartoon Forum.
Scott Roxborough
September 25, 2023
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/federation-studios-buys-g-on-productions-animation-1235598072/
'Krapopolis' Review: Dan Harmon's New Fox Animated Comedy Is Atypically Bland
Set in the semi-mythological world of ancient Greece on the eve of civilization, the show has a vocal cast including Richard Ayoade, Matt Berry, Pam Murphy and Duncan Trussell.
Daniel Fienberg
September 24, 2023
Jake Gyllenhaal Was Considered for Batman in Christopher Nolan's Trilogy, David S. Goyer Says
The screenwriter also shares which actor a studio executive wanted to play the Riddler in the third film, 'The Dark Knight Rises.'
Carly Thomas
September 22, 2023
When DC Sued Fox for Copying Batman in Mystery Men Comics, at Auction
After successfully suing Victor Fox over Superman similarities, DC Comics did it again over copying Batman & Robin in Mystery Men Comics.
by Mark Seifert
24 Sep 2023
https://bleedingcool.com/comics/when-dc-sued-fox-for-copying-batman-in-mystery-men-comics-at-auction/
See you in the funny papers: Comic strips' evolution as a uniquely American art form
Belinda M. Paschal /Columbus Dispatch
The Gannett 34
https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2023/09/24/the-gannett-34/
INTERVIEW: Patrick McDonnell gets meta with THE SUPER HERO'S JOURNEY
"Storytelling and creating art bring us together, and bring out the best in us."
09/25/2023
https://www.comicsbeat.com/interview-patrick-mcdonnell-the-super-heros-journey/
Work and Pleasure: Diana Schutz, Today
Paul Neal | September 25, 2023
https://www.tcj.com/work-and-pleasure-diana-schutz-today/
RIP Allan Asherman
Science fiction historian and former DC librarian Allan Asherman has died.
09/25/2023
https://www.comicsbeat.com/rip-allan-asherman/
[..." I heard this morning that Allan Asherman has passed, after suffering injuries in a fall."]
September 24 2023
ALLAN ASHERMAN, 1947–2023
September 24 2023
Allan Asherman 1947-2023
Bob Greenberger
Bob Greenberger blog September 24, 2023
https://bobgreenberger.com/2023/09/24/allan-asherman-1947-2023/
'Miserable Miracle' and 'When Adam Changes' Win Top Prizes at Ottawa Intl. Animation Festival
By Ramin Zahed
September 23, 2023
True Colors: Director Alex Ross Introduces Us to His 'Social Chameleon'
By Ramin Zahed
September 22, 2023
Sharing the Love: Matthew A. Cherry Opens Up About His New Max Series 'Young Love'
By Ramin Zahed
September 22, 2023
This article originally appeared in the
Sept./Oct. '23 issue of Animation Magazine (No. 333)
Interview: Cracking The Cold Conspiracy of 'Antarctica' [ Simon Birks ]
Sep 19, 2023
Interview by Troy Allen
https://previewsworld.com/Article/268539-Interview-Cracking-The-Cold-Conspiracy-of-Antarctica
Artists vs. Artificial Intelligence Roundtable
Troy-Jeffrey Allen, Mike Marts, Sean Michael Robinson, and Carson Grubaugh
PREVIEWSworld Sep 1, 2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFyVPi3RaYo
September 25, 2023
Meet a Local Comics Writer: A Chat with Alex Lupp
by Mike Rhode
https://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2023/09/Alex-Lupp.html
Baltimore Comic-Con 2016 - Interview with creators from Square City Comics
Eric Mesa
Sep 12, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJyM_iY2V3Q
Square City Comics! Alex Lupp! INTERVIEW!
Patrick Michael Strange
Nerds Rule The World Dec 16, 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Vg_v0HOS0g
Barry Blitt's "The Race for Office"
The artist discusses hernias, walkers, and the joys of old age.
By Françoise Mouly
September 25, 2023
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cover-story/cover-story-2023-10-02
IDEAS DON'T BLEED episode fifty-four | Saladin Ahmed, part two
Sep 25 2023
https://ashcanpress.substack.com/p/wake-up-wake-up
|
Monday, September 25, 2023
Oct 4: Author Talk - Trung Le Nguyen at DC's MLK library
[this book was very good. I plan to go]
Author Talk - Trung Le Nguyen
Wednesday, October 04
7:00pm - 9:00pm
At a time when LGTBQ and API voices are targeted for book bans, join us for a special conversation with Vietnamese American cartoonist Trung Le Nguyen.
In partnership with The Vietnam Society and the Mayor's Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs, join the Library for an exciting conversation with Eisner and Lambda Award nominated cartoonist Trung Le Nguyen, author of The Magic Fish. At a time when graphic novels, especially those written by LGBTQ authors and writers of color, are being targeted by book bans, we are thrilled to host Nguyen to celebrate his work telling stories from the API and LGBTQ communities. In conversation with former Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius, Nguyen will discuss his writing and art and the importance of representation in storytelling.
About the speakers:
Trung Le Nguyen is an award-winning Vietnamese-American cartoonist, artist, and writer from Minnesota.
Trung's first original graphic novel, The Magic Fish, was published in 2020 through Random House Graphic, an imprint of Penguin Random House. He has been nominated for an Eisner, a prize at Angoulême (France), a GLAAD award, and has won two Harvey Awards and a Romics (Italy). Trung has also contributed work for DC Comics, Oni Press, Boom! Studios, Image Comics, and Marvel.He currently lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota and raises a small flock of very spoiled hens.
A diplomat for nearly thirty years, Ted Osius served from 2014 to 2017 as U.S. ambassador to Vietnam, a country he has loved since serving there in the 1990s, when he helped open the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City and was one of the first U.S. diplomats at the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi. Leading a mission team of 900, Ambassador Osius devised and implemented strategies to deepen security ties, sign tens of billions of dollars' worth of commercial deals, expand educational exchange, conclude agreements on trade, law enforcement, environmental protection, and address honestly a difficult past. Ambassador Osius' leadership helped bring about a positive transformation in U.S.-Vietnam relations.
Troy Allen on Antarctica and AI in 2 new pieces
Artists vs. Artificial Intelligence Roundtable
Meet a Local Comics Writer: A Chat with Alex Lupp (updated)
![]() |
Alex Lupp flanked by collaborators Erin Lisette and Jade Lee |
What type of
comic work or cartooning do you do?
I am a writer, although I have occasionally done some work (digitally) lettering comics.
How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?
Being
a writer it's probably easy to assume that most of my work is done on a
computer, but the initial phases of brainstorming and outlining are
often done by pen in a notebook. It's only later when the script begins
to take shape that I switch to a computer where it's much easier (and
quicker) to sift through the ideas and give them shape.
![]() |
Sand art by Jade Lee |
When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
I was born in 1987 in Bucharest, Romania.
Why are you in Washington now? What neighborhood or area do you live in?
I
came to the DC area in 2000, when I was 13 years old. Ever since my
life has pivoted around Washington, whether going to high school in
Arlington, VA, or
currently
being a professional (yes, day jobs are a
reality of comics work). Throughout the years, I've lived in both VA but
also MD, although somehow never in DC. This area is my home.
It's
all self-taught. Easy to say for a writer (I know!), however being
friends with comic artists, seeing their process and slowly absorbing as
much as possible has added up over the years. Outside of that, I read a
lot, and after seeing one or two example scripts in the back of comics,
I thought hey I should try that too!
That
said, the one invaluable experience I've had as a writer has been to
letter my own comics. Having to (literally) put the words over the art
myself was eye opening, and definitely helped me write better for the
finished page. I suppose there is something to the Marvel style of
comics writing, where dialogue is written after the art is done for each
page.
Who are your influences?
The very first comic script I wrote used a nine panel format, most easily recognized as that used by Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons in Watchmen,
so it would be disingenuous not to recognize that influence. That said,
I am an avid consumer of books, comics, movies, television and anime
like Dragon Ball or Sailor Moon, and later Trigun and Cowboy Bebop, all of which left their mark in some way and certainly informed the world building of my current comic Sand.
Then when it comes to desert worlds, how can we not mention Frank
Herbert's Dune as well? it's all in there somewhere! Even the work of
(local legend) Carla Speed McNeil has had an influence on my world
building. Discovering and reading Finder about a decade ago was foundational!
![]() |
Sand: Tale of Luc & San art by Jade Lee |
If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?
I
would have pursued learning to draw. The job of a writer in comics is
to be a good communicator. If you cannot convey your ideas to the artist
making them come alive, then you have failed. It's taken years to
better understand that side of the collaboration, and nothing could have
conveyed that better than having more hands-on experience myself. It
all just gives you more perspective, it's no surprise that the likes of
Keith Giffen, Becky Cloonan, Jeff Lemire, or even Grant Morrison are
either also known as artists or capable of drawing.
![]() |
Sand art by Jade Lee |
What work are you best-known for?
Sand, which currently spans two issues, with more coming soon!
The story of Sand begins with a sibling rivalry between two twin deities that accidentally results in the creation of a world. This Tale of Luc & San is told in the first issue, which debuted all the way in 2017 at Small Press Expo (SPX), and was illustrated by Jade Lee.
This
world created by the twins is called Sand because of its vast deserts,
and is then explored in the succeeding issues. First in Of Wolf & Prey
we learn something about the pre-human world of fauna and flora. This
issue was illustrated by Erin Lisette, and debuted this year (also) at
SPX.
Another two issues, Eyes of Red and Twin Blades,
are planned for next year, and will cover later eras and the evolution
of the world from prehistoric to complex (human) societies. Eyes of Red is
currently being illustrated by Margaret Huey, and will tell the tale of
Kayla Red Eyes and her journey to discover the source of life on the
world of Sand. We're hoping to debut Eyes of Red in early 2024.
![]() |
Windswept |
What work are you most proud of?
Definitely Sand, it's my most ambitious work to date. That said, a short comic I did several years ago, Windswept,
is very personal to my experience as an immigrant and roots in Romania,
and deserves a special mention. It was illustrated by Emily R. Gillis,
and initially featured in the Square City Anthology Sensus Obscura. It
can now be found on my website for free.
What would you like to do or work on in the future?
Keeping this simple, I'd like to finish telling the tale of Sand.
What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?
I
go for a run. Whenever I'm stuck, the repetitive exercise always seems
to do the trick. I suppose it's like a form of meditation, your mind
clears, and then the ideas just come bursting out. Then it's just a
matter of having the discipline to write consistently so those ideas can
take shape and grow.
![]() |
Sand art by Erin Lisette |
What do you think
will be the future of your field?
Comics
will never die, there is something essential about the combination of
written word and visual image which uniquely speaks to the human
imagination. However, how we consume comics is something that is
constantly changing. There is no one source of truth, whether it's the
mainstream of DC & Marvel, or webcomics, or alternative press, or
indie press, etc... If we can look beyond comics as an IP farm for
movies & television, there is always something exciting happening in
artist alleys or indie shows.
What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Awesome Con, or others? Any comments about attending them?
I've
attended or exhibited at many local shows, from the Small Press Expo to
Awesome Con, or Baltimore Comic-Con. Hard not to mention DC Zine Fest
or Baltimore's Hallow-Zine as well, where I've never exhibited, but
deserve mention for all the amazing local talent they feature. Comics is
a small community on the grand scale, and even with all its occasional
bumps and bruises, it's always heartwarming to be reminded we're all in
this together whenever we gather for a show or convention.
What comic books do you read regularly or recommend? Do you have a local store?

What's your favorite thing about DC?
How cosmopolitan it is. Being an immigrant, I am never too far from reconnecting to my roots, or being able to connect to something entirely new. Living here it's easy to take the cultural diversity for granted, but it's unique and should be treasured.
Least favorite?
The gentrification, it's killing the city's identity.
What monument or museum do you like to take visitors to?
The
National Gallery of Art, not just because of the art collections or
installations, but also their (free) screenings which vary from classic
art cinema to documentaries.
How about a favorite local restaurant?
Not
in DC, but Bob & Edith's in Arlington is a local staple, and the
best dang diner around (I'm not saying that because I grew up around
there or anything...)
Do you have a website or blog?
Where you can find my collaborators:
- Jade Lee: https://dumplingowl.com/
- Erin Lisette: https://www.tigrspoon.com/
- Margaret Huey: https://margarethuey.com/
How has the COVID-19 outbreak affected you, personally and professionally?
COVID is a big reason why Sand has taken longer to produce. Everything just took longer. The time in quarantine was not a magical time to create, nor was it good for collaboration. The unique mental stress brought on by a world changing pandemic froze me and many others in a statis where creation was impossible. The ongoing risk of COVID remains a factor even as we've returned to comic shows in the past year. Losing several weeks while being sick with COVID last year was hard, both for the day job, but also in terms of staying on track with creative pursuits. If there is one silver lining, it's that work from home has become possible for some, and is (maybe) being normalized as an alternative work location. Having to balance a day job and creative pursuits by night is always hard, but becomes easier when work from home is a possibility -- just the time earned back by not having to commute alone is invaluable.
You mentioned your work in a Square City anthology. Were you a member of the Square City Comics co-op? If so can you tell us something about the group? Does it still exist?
I was, and in fact a member of the "Inner" Square (basically the leadership group). I took a step back in terms of my involvement in 2019, largely because I wanted to focus on my creative output. It was just too much to help organize activities, edit the anthologies (while having a day job) and then also write my own stuff. At the same time some of the original creators behind Square City left the area, or otherwise became less involved.
With the pandemic in 2020, especially how it affected comic shows, it became harder to keep in touch or have in person events in general. After all that, I'm really not sure about the status of Square City.
(editor's note: The Twitter group defined itself as "A collective of comic creators who meet in the DC Metro area." The group's Facebook page hasn't been updated since late 2018, and the same appears to be true for the Tumblr blog)
Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 9/23-24/2023
ANIME NYC adds Korean webtoon artist guest Sleepy-C
The artist of Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint will make their N. American convention debut
Derrick Crow
09/23/2023
https://www.comicsbeat.com/anime-nyc-2023-adds-korean-webtoon-artist-sleepy-c/
The New Gannett Unified Comics Pages – Update: Gannett Issues a Correction
D. D. Degg
https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2023/09/21/the-new-gannett-unified-comics-pages/
More Gannett Papers Announce Changes
D. D. Degg
https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2023/09/22/more-gannett-papers-announce-changes/
Conner, Shawn. 2023.
Superheroes Smash the Box Office: A Cinema History from the Serials to 21st Century Blockbusters.
McFarland
Deman, J. Andrew. 2023.
The Claremont Run: Subverting Gender in the X-Men.
University of Texas Press
A Tribute To Joe Matt (1963 – 2023)
by Koom Kankesan
September 23, 2023
https://comicon.com/2023/09/23/a-tribute-to-joe-matt-1963-2023/
Bringing Frankenstein Mobster to life! Speed Painting!
Insightmovies
Sep 23, 2023
Mark Wheatley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUO22dYNIaY
With 'Young Love,' Matthew A. Cherry Weaves a Warm Chicago Tale
By Christopher Kuo
A version of this article appears in print on Sept. 23, 2023, Section C, Page 1 of the New York edition with the headline: Millennial Parenting In Chicago, Animated.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/22/arts/television/matthew-a-cherry-young-love-max.html
Send the prejudicial cartoon back to the drawing board [in print as Send prejudicial toon back to the drawing board; Dana Summers; letter].
Robert J. Latham, and Ralph A. Simmons
Washington Post (September 23 2023): A15.
online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/09/22/9-11-never-forget-trump-maryland-deion-sanders/
Kent State: Recreating History with Comics from the Small Press Expo Author Series
Derf Backderf
Library of Congress
Sep 22, 2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSr897qlWCU or
https://www.loc.gov/item/webcast-11071
Storybox Comics Fair in photos
September 24, 2023
https://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2023/09/storybox-comics-fair-in-photos.html
First Appearances of Spider-Man, X-Men, Swamp Thing Stolen In Brooklyn
Stolen comics include Amazing Fantasy #15, House Of Secrets #92, X-Men #1, Avengers #1, Daredevil #1, Amazing Spider-Man #1, 36, 238 and 300.
23 Sep 2023
by Rich Johnston
The Ghost in the Mirror
In spooky stories by Ben Hatke, Remy Lai and the team of Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass, the secrets of the undead lead perilously close to home.
By Soman Chainani
A version of this article appears in print on Sept. 24, 2023, Page 22 of the Sunday Book Review with the headline: The Ghost in the Mirror.
Depression
And other recent drawings
William L Brown
Sep 24 2023
https://nativecpeaker.substack.com/p/depression
Goodbye, Hunk of Home
When you trade in the old car, trade me in, too.
By Glynnis Fawkes
September 23, 2023
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/goodbye-hunk-of-home
The Archies: Why an American comic book evokes nostalgia in Indians
By Cherylann Mollan
BBC News, Mumbai September 23 2023
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-66886563
A perfect Sunday with... Paul Cornell
Cricket, Tuna Niçoise, and Comic Book Couples Counselling!
Cavan Scott
Sep 24 2023
https://cavanscott.substack.com/p/a-perfect-sunday-with-paul-cornell
Patrick McDonnell talks the joy and fun in 'The Super Hero's Journey'
A deep dive into the magic of '60s Marvel comics.
David Brooke
September 19, 2023
https://aiptcomics.com/2023/09/19/the-super-heros-journey-qa/
Multihyphenated Identity in Young Adult Fiction: On Emily Bowen Cohen's "Two Tribes"
September 20, 2023 • By Na'amit Sturm Nagel
Liniers, Kevin Johansen, and The Nada. 2014.
(Bi)vo en Mexico [concert DVD].
RCA
Liniers and Kevin Johansen. 2014.
Bis: Letra Y Dibujo: Kevin Johansen / Liniers.
Buenos Aires: Edicioines de La Flor
Macan, Darko. 2023.
Darko Macan is an Idiot .
Slovenia: Darko Macan
Holtham, J. and Sean Damien Hill. 2023.
Bishop: War College [X-Men].
New York: Marvel
Nakamura, Hikaru. 2021.
Saint Young Men 8.
New York: Kodansha
Flippo, Terry, Jason DeGroot and Joseph Morris . 2023.
Toasty Poasty [minicomic]
Terry Flippo
Sunday, September 24, 2023
New column by William Brown
Ben Hatke's new book reviewed in NY Times
The Ghost in the Mirror
In spooky stories by Ben Hatke, Remy Lai and the team of Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass, the secrets of the undead lead perilously close to home.
By Soman Chainani