Comics return to the City Paper

The City Paper's redesigned itself and has this to say about comic strips -

Comics Page. Like many of our readers, we were sorry to see the paper's comics go a few years ago. Starting next week, they'll be back, on a single dedicated page that will feature Derf's excellent The City, Shawn Belschwender's Clown Time, David Malki's Wondermark, and Michael Kupperman's Up All Night. You'll still find Dirt Farm in its usual place.

- and we note that Ben Claassen is the cartoonist of Dirt Farm.

Cartoonists on the joy of cartoon contests

That title up there is sarcastic, but check out the comments where two local cartoon contests - the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award and the Herblock Award are specifically mentioned - Picking up the tab to enter cartoon contests, by Alan Gardner, January 13, 2010.

BTW, I've been asked to be an RFK judge again this year (mentioned in the interests of transparency), but I was told by one of the previous judges who picked Derf that they had to threaten to not give the award that year if it wasn't given to him - so the judges aren't always in sync with the award-granting organization. I can say that last year the other RFK judges and I took our roles quite seriously and spent hours pouring through a few score portfolios.

Small Press Expo 2008 photos

Here's some shots from Saturday. Remember that I'll be interviewing Richard Thompson at 5 pm downstairs. Richard will also be signing his books during the day (and you can always catch me to buy a Harvey Pekar: Conversations).


Richard Thompson and Joost Swart


Richard Thompson and Joost Swart


Mark Anderson of Andertoons


Mark Anderson of Andertoons


Richard Thompson, Paul Karasik and Brendan Burford


Joost Swarte and Jen Sorenson


Joost Swarte and Jen Sorenson


Derf


Jen Sorenson


Joost Swarte


Howard U. professor Marc Singer, Joost Swarte, Richard Thompson


Jason Lutes.

Derf's got a new book out and will be at SPX

One of the things I miss the most (besides Rob Ullman) from Creative (HAH!) Loafing's takeover of the City Paper is Derf's strip, The City. Here's an article about his new book - "DERF HOPES FOR A HIT WITH PUNK ROCK & TRAILER PARKS," Jennifer M. Contino, Comicon's The Pulse 09-18-2008.