|
|
|
|
Friday, August 12, 2022
PR: The Third Eye Throwdown Tent Sale Returns to Third Eye Annapolis Tomorrow!
Baltimore's Ron Barlow obituary - EC fan and publisher (updated)
 |
Photo: Ron Barlow & Bernie Wrightson c. 1974 |
by Joel Pollack
R.I.P. Ron Barlow (1949-2022).
Ron commissioned and published Bernie Wrightson's Badtime Stories, the first deluxe comic fanzine devoted to a single artist.
Ron worked as an editor at Woody Gelman's Nostalgia Press, where he edited hardcover reprints of classic comic strips including the finest Alex Raymond Flash Gordon strips. It was at Nostalgia Press that Ron edited EC: Horror Comics of the 1950s.
Ron and his partner, Bruce Hershenson, published the earliest full-color EC reprints, under the East Coast Comix imprint.
In 1972 , Ron and Bruce staged the first and only EC Comics convention, attended by most of the EC staff. For that convention, they published EC Lives, a collection of articles about EC Comics written by EC creators.
Ron was active in Star Trek fandom, and owned and operated the Federation Trading Post in Manhattan c. 1973.
Joel's contacted other friends of Barlow's on Facebook for their reminiscences. Here's Bruce Hershenson's:
RIP Ron Barlow
January 1, 1949 - August 9, 2022
When I was 15 I
spent four days over the 1968 July 4th weekend buying and
selling comic books. Not so strange nowadays, but beyond
bizarre back then. I left my home with 6 boxes of comic
books and $20, and after 4 frantic days of wheeling and
dealing I went home with 20 boxes of comics and $100, and I
knew I had found my life's calling!
I also met two 18
year olds who would have a massive impact on my life. One
was a Californian named Barry Bauman (a story for another
day), and the other was from Baltimore, named Ron Barlow,
and both were very good looking guys with very long hair
(well before that was mainstream) and for the life of me I
could not see what either of them saw in me, but their
friendships sure helped this pathetically nerdy and shy 15
year old immeasurably!
Flash forward to
the end of 1971. I was in college and hating it, and
spending most of my time buying and selling comics,
completely supporting myself doing so. It was at this point
Ron Barlow re-entered my life in a big way. He had gone to
work for Woody Gelman, the visionary who first saw a market
for deluxe hardcover reprints of classic comic books.
One of those books
was devoted to EC Comics, and through editing it, Ron caught
the eye of Bill Gaines, and they became great friends,
despite being decades apart in age. Ron had grown up with
Berni Wrightson and Jeff Jones, and he had the idea of a new
publication that would be a tribute to EC Comics, but with
all new stories by modern artists, and instead of a lowly
comic book, a "graphic novel," printed on the finest paper.
Ron was able to
persuade Berni to draw one entire book called "Badtime
Stories", and he gave him an astronomical page rate, AND
returned the art, something never done in those days! I came
into the picture in early 1972, because Ron and I were both
living in Great Neck, New York, and thanks to my successful
mail-order business in comics, I had put together some
savings from it, even though I was now only 18.
Ron had run out of
money, and he proposed that I put up the printing bill, and
that I handle the distribution of the book, and that once we
each got our investment back, we would split whatever
profits that were made 50/50.
I agreed, because I
felt then that Berni was the young artist who most could
have been an EC artist had he been 20 years older, and I
thought his work on Badtime Stories was especially
wonderful. So that's how I became the 18 year old
"publisher" of Badtime Stories, and what started my longtime
partnership with Ron Barlow.
It took a lot of
blood, sweat, and tears, but I got us all the money back on
Badtime Stories, and Ron told me he admired my business
acumen and wanted us to together organize a convention
solely for fans of EC Comics, a "theme" convention no one
had done before.
I had zero
knowledge about running a convention (although I had
attended many), but it sounded like "fun", so I agreed. I
was now 19, and Ron was 23, and somehow we were able to rent
the giant McAlpin Hotel in New York City for four days (with
no money!).
What made the
convention a major success (except we made no money, but
that was not important to us) was that Bill Gaines was able
to convince just about every EC artist and writer to attend,
and there has never been another convention like it. Ron
next suggested we approach Bill with the "crazy" idea of
reprinting the original EC comics as full-color comic books
(the very first time fans ever did that for ANY comic book
company), and to our amazement Bill agreed!
That led to my
dropping out of college, and Ron and I co-publishing 12
issues of full-color reprints of EC comics over the next two
years, under our "East Coast Comix" label (we were given the
catchy name by longtime Ron friend, Joel Pollack!). Sadly,
there just weren't enough comic book collectors back them to
fully support the project, and we folded it after 12
glorious issues!
After that I was
partners with Ron in a vintage clothing business in
Baltimore. He discovered the Internet in the late 1980s and
wanted us to move our business online, but it sounded
"sketchy" to me, and I talked him out of it, to my eternal
regret, because WE might have become early Internet moguls,
bringing collectibles to the Net, as eBay did years later!
Ron had also
discovered vintage movie posters, and he wanted to do a mail
order business of those as well as the vintage clothing. But
as so often happened with Ron, he grew tired of the posters,
and offered to trade me his half of that poster business for
my half of his vintage clothing store and I reluctantly
agreed.
But I took that
tiny poster business and it evolved into my current
business, eMoviePoster.com, with $107
million in total sales, so in a way I owe that success to
Ron Barlow as well!
In the late 1980s
Ron moved to Santa Fe and started selling antiquities, with
a very successful gallery there. He later moved back to
Baltimore (where he started out) and pursued a career as a
painter, something I wish he had more vigorously pursued far
earlier.
Ron was the most
gifted, talented, and "ahead of his time" person I have ever
met! I have just barely scratched the surface of the many
business ideas he had over the years. He launched a free
"adzine" for comic book collectors, years before The Buyer's
Guide copied his idea. He owned a store entirely devoted to
Star Trek memorabilia, in the days when it was a cult
favorite, but long before it became a beloved franchise.
Ron was incredible
at "spotting talent" and upcoming "trends". It was he who
told me in 1976 about the forthcoming Star Wars movie, and
he told me it was sure to be a giant hit, and that he had
been able to buy the rights to some merchandising, with the
little money he had, and he had a real "score" from that.
There was so much
more to Ron's incredible life! If only he had been able to
stay focused longer on each individual project, he likely
would be a household name today, but that was just not his
way. Once a project took fruit, his mind was on to his next
idea!
So rest in peace my
old friend. You surely have earned some time off. But
knowing Ron, I bet he is at St. Peter's shoulder, giving him
endless ideas on how Heaven could be run better!
Raymond Briggs obituary in the Post
Raymond Briggs, creator of children's book 'The Snowman,' dies at 88
His wordless picture book, which tells the story of a boy who makes a snowman that comes to life, sold more than 5.5 million copies worldwide
Phillip Kennedy Johnson writes a Green Lantern
Phillip Kennedy Johnson illuminates 'Worlds Without a Justice League – Green Lantern'
The extra heroic tale of John Stewart arrives on August 9.
Thursday, August 11, 2022
Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 8/11/22
'TERRARIA' COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS COMING FROM 50 AMP PRODUCTIONS
New Comics Publisher Launches with Video Game Adaptation
by Brigid Alverson on August 10, 2022
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/51865/terraria-comics-graphic-novels-coming-50-amp-productions
Raymond Briggs, Who Drew a Wordless 'Snowman,' Dies at 88
By Jason M. Bailey
A version of this article appears in print on Aug. 11, 2022, Section A, Page 17 of the New York edition with the headline: Raymond Briggs, 88, Who Drew A Wordless 'Snowman,' Is Dead.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/10/books/raymond-briggs-dead.html
Inu-Oh Infuses a Classical Japanese Tale With Rock 'n' Roll
Masaaki Yuasa's latest anime feature embodies a revolutionary spirit in its tale of outcasts breaking ground in medieval Japan.
by Juan Barquin
August 10 2022
https://hyperallergic.com/752844/inu-oh-infuses-a-classical-japanese-tale-with-rock-n-roll/
Here Comes Tomorrow: The Last Ronin [Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]
Tom Shapira | August 11, 2022
https://www.tcj.com/here-comes-tomorrow-the-last-ronin/
How Chinese Cartoonists Mocked Nancy Pelosi Over Taiwan Visit
By Khaleda Rahman On 8/8/22
https://www.newsweek.com/chinese-cartoonists-mocked-nancy-pelosi-taiwan-visit-1731646
Le Petit Nicolas illustrator Jean-Jacques Sempé dies aged 89
AFP in Paris
Thu 11 Aug 2022 https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/aug/11/le-petit-nicolas-illustrator-jean-jacques-sempe-dies-aged-89
Jean-Jacques Sempé, Cartoonist of Droll Whimsy, Dies at 89
By Robert D. McFadden
Aug. 11, 2022
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/11/arts/jean-jacques-sempe-dead.html
Paul Coker, Cartoonist at Mad for Almost Six Decades, Dies at 93
By Richard Sandomir
Aug. 11, 2022,
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/11/arts/paul-coker-dead.html
Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 8/10/22
DC Films "Reset" Adds More Confusion for Warner Bros.' Slate
After David Zaslav shelved 'Batgirl' and declared a new ten-year plan is in the works, the future of the comic book power house is less clear than it has been in years.
Aaron Couch
August 9, 2022
This story appeared in the Aug. 10 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.
Marvel's Kevin Feige and James Gunn React to 'Batgirl' Controversy
Some major Hollywood talents are expressing sympathy over the shelved DC Films project.
James Hibberd
August 5, 2022
'The Snowman' children's author Raymond Briggs dies at 88
August 10 2022
Snowman author Raymond Briggs dies aged 88
Richard Lea
10 Aug 2022 https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/aug/10/snowman-author-raymond-briggs-dies-aged-88
Raymond Briggs obituary
Martin Salisbury
Wed 10 Aug 2022 07.12 EDT
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/aug/10/raymond-briggs-obituary
British children's book illustrator and graphic novelist Raymond Briggs dies, aged 88
Among his achievements, Briggs was one of the earliest producers of the graphic novel in the UK
Dean Simons
08/10/2022
Time For Light's Out – The Snowman's Raymond Briggs Dies At 88
August 10, 2022
by Rich Johnston
https://bleedingcool.com/comics/time-for-lights-out-the-snowmans-raymond-briggs-dies-at-88/
R.I.P. SID JACOBSON
Writer Whose Career Stretched from 'Richie Rich' to 'The 9/11 Report'
Brigid Alverson on August 9, 2022
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/51852/r-i-p-sid-jacobson
True Believer: The Rise and Fall of Stan Lee by Abraham Riesman
Abigail Nussbaum
August 10, 2022
August 9, 2022 by Gil Roth
Episode 498 – Jonah Kinigstein
Virtual Memories Show 498:
Jonah Kinigstein
http://chimeraobscura.com/vm/episode-498-jonah-kinigstein
https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/virtualmemories/Episode_498_-_Jonah_Kinigstein.mp3
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE: IMAGE PROMOTES RYAN BREWER
To International Sales & Licensing Manager
Brigid Alverson on August 9, 2022
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/51857/people-move-image-promotes-ryan-brewer
'Secret Headquarters' Review: Owen Wilson Stars in Paramount+'s Routine Kid Fantasy Flick
Walker Scobell, Jesse Williams and Michael Peña also star in this sci-fi adventure about a boy who discovers his neglectful dad has been busy saving the world with help from alien superpowers.
David Rooney
August 10, 2022
Ardent Spirits: The Dive Bar of Comic Art [Paris, France]
Cynthia Rose | August 10, 2022
https://www.tcj.com/ardent-spirits-the-dive-bar-of-comic-art/
Ep. 365: Marvel Comics Writer Jason Aaron Shares His Love of Great Storytelling in Comic Books, Graphic Novels, and Professional Wrestling
Chauncey DeVega Show Jul 31, 2022
Interview with Jason Aaron (Thor: God of Thunder), Part One
Dr. Karl E. H. Seigfried
The Norse Mythology blog August 5, 2022
https://www.norsemyth.org/2022/08/interview-with-jason-aaron-thor-god-of.html
Vault Comics brings on Jazzlyn Stone for their crowdfunding projects
The publisher has a small selection of Kickstarters coming up
Deanna Destito
08/09/2022
https://www.comicsbeat.com/vault-comics-jazzlyn-stone-crowdfunding-projects/
An Interview with Summer Pierre: "Where ego ends and where vulnerability begins"
Nora Hickey and Amaris Ketcham
Autobiographix August 10 2022 https://autobiographix.substack.com/p/an-interview-with-summer-pierre
Wednesday, August 10, 2022
Aug 11-12: Evan Keeling at the Building Museum
 | |
| |
Thursday, August 11 and Friday, August 12 at 12:30 PM
Evan's Story-Making Workshop
FREE with Museum Admission
Capture a favorite story and learn to make a mini eight-page book out of a single sheet of paper with comic book maker Evan Keeling.
Born and raised in Washington DC, Evan Keeling received a BFA in graphic design from the Corcoran College of Art + Design. Evan is an accomplished illustrator who has worked with a variety of clients. He is a founding member of the DC Conspiracy, a collective of Washington, DC area comic book artists and writers. He has been published and self-publishes comic books for print and for the web. He recently colored the Eisner and Harvey nominated graphic novel "Captive of Friendly Cove" from Fulcrum and is developing comic book based programming as well as creating mini-comics for the Smithsonian.
PR: Small Press Expo Announces Signups for Workshops at SPX 2022 (Corrected!)
| ||||||||||||||
|
Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 8/9/22
DC's 'Strange Adventures' Scrapped at HBO Max
The axing predates the Warner Bros. Discovery merger, sources say; Kevin Smith relayed the news on his podcast.
By Rick Porter, Lesley Goldberg
August 9, 2022
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/hbo-max-scraps-dc-strange-adventures-1235195517/
Interview: Peter Richardson Invites Readers into the 'Zombie Makeout Club'
Aug 02, 2022
Interview by Troy Allen
"Those Things All Become Part of Who I Am": Robert Wilson IV on Print Making and His New NASA Poster Series
By David Harper
August 4, 2022
https://sktchd.com/interview/robert-wilson-nasa-interview/
ICV2 INTERVIEW: VIZ MEDIA'S KEVIN HAMRIC ON SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES AND WHAT'S HOT FOR FALL
Plus: High Sales, Low Prices, and a Kaiju-Fighting Rooster
ICv2 on August 8, 2022
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles History (in a Half-Shell)
After nearly 40 years and a new Netflix film, a look at what continues to make these cartoon heroes so appealing.
By Calum Marsh
A version of this article appears in print on Aug. 9, 2022, Section C, Page 2 of the New York edition with the headline: How They Stayed Lean, Green and Mean.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/08/movies/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-history.html
The Sandman: Dressing Lucifer and Other Costume and Prop Secrets from the Netflix Series
Property master Gordon Fitzgerald and costume designer Sarah Arthur delve into the intricacies of their work on Netflix's The Sandman.
By Alana Joli Abbott | August 7, 2022
https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-sandman-creating-the-costumes-and-props-for-the-netflix-series/
Sid Jacobson, 1929-2022
Mark Arnold | August 9, 2022
https://www.tcj.com/sid-jacobson-1929-2022/
The Cute and Horrifying World of Jim Woodring
In "One Beautiful Spring Day," the cartoonist takes his orders from the imaginary world that he creates.
By Sam Thielman
August 9, 2022
https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/the-cute-and-horrifying-world-of-jim-woodring
Five Questions with Author Alex Segura
He previews his next book, a "spiritual sequel" to "Secret Identity" for us
Elizabeth
What to read if Jul 28 2022
https://whattoreadif.substack.com/p/five-questions-with-author-alex-segura
The Dirty Pictures That Revolutionized Art [underground comix]
Nick Gillespie and Brian Doherty
Jun 29, 2022
ReasonTV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xs3g7PrhI3Q
James Gillray: A Revolution in Satire Hardcover – November 29, 2022
by Tim Clayton
Paul Mellon Centre
Tuesday, August 09, 2022
Troy Allen interview on 'Zombie Makeout Club'
Interview: Peter Richardson Invites Readers into the 'Zombie Makeout Club'
Aug 02, 2022
SPJ DC awards
DAILY NEWSPAPER
Editorial Cartoon
Winner: Alexander Hunter, The Washington Times, "Also Not Being Taught in Schools; Political Prisoner; Great Moments in the 3rd American Revolution."
NEWSLETTER/TRADE PUBLICATION
Editorial Cartoon
Winner: Katie Goldberg, The Cancer Letter, "Cancer Politics: Bypass Budgets, the National Cancer Act, and Texas."
ONLINE
Editorial Cartoon
Winner: Alexandra Bowman , The Lincoln Project, Cartoons on the GOP.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)