Oct 31: Beyond Comics sale along with Blair Witch signing

Blackbeard Legend of the Pyrate King Autograph Event
Featuring
Eduardo Sanchez, Writer and Director, The Blair Witch Project

Saturday October 31st 1:00 p.m to 3:00 p.m.

HUGE SALE !!! NEW COMICS $1 Each
Certain Restrictions May Apply

OVER 7,000 25 cent COMICS

Trade Paperback & Manga Clearance Books from $3 each

Catching up with comics in the Post

Comic Riffs looks at a couple of dunderheaded decisions in the Style section –

Doonesbury shrunk by almost an inch in the latest redesign, but it’s back at a bit larger now:

The Post's 'Doonesbury' shrinkage: winning the Battle of Inch-On

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog October 28, 2009

and Frazz, which has been exiled to appearing sometimes on the Kid’s page is missing this week because of a Halloween story which has a naked kid in a tree - god, you just can’t make this stuff up. The kids flip past, in today’s paper “TV report on breast self-exam bares all” and “The Dark Side of Peter Pan” book review to get to the Kid’s page, and they’re then protected from cartoon nudity. Anyway, here’s the story with the rationalization “There was no way this could run in KidsPost so we decided to hold it out for a week.”:

Calling all comics readers: To save 'Frazz,' what strip should we send to KidsPost?

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog October 29, 2009

In yesterday’s Style section (not the trend here), there’s a TV report on how inappropriate Family Guy is, at least as far as Microsoft is concerned:

Microsoft realizes that it's incompatible with Seth MacFarlane, after all

By Lisa de Moraes
Washington Post Wednesday, October 28, 2009

and a review of a play with an imaginary superhero friend:

A bittersweet 'Barrio Grrrl!'

By Celia Wren
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Tonight - "Looking for Calvin and Hobbes" Reading and Signing

Nevin Martell says
--------------------
Subject: *TONIGHT* "Looking For Calvin and Hobbes" Book Release Party *TONIGHT*

Just wanted to remind everyone that tonight is the book release party for "Looking for Calvin and Hobbes" at Big Planet Comics in Bethesda from 7-9. There will be a reading, a presentation of early, unseen Watterson art, a Q&A session and a book signing. Hope to see you there!

My best,
Nevin

Link for info on Big Planet Comics:
http://www.facebook.com/l/85efb;www.bigplanetcomics.com/

I'm planning on being there. - Mike

Baltimore - Halloween party at Atomic Books

Masked partiers can get their capes on Oct. 31 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 Halloween and comic books get matched at one exclusive gathering on Oct. 31. Atomic Books has announced their Heroes and Supervillains Costume Ball in Baltimore. The Windup Space, where art exhibits and bartenders attribute the environs, hosts the... Read more » DC Comic Books Examiner, Mark Ruffin Mark Ruffin, a freelance writer and story editor, recalls a first read of Peter Parker, the Amazing Spider-Man #8 and a collection of comic books from that point. Following honorable service in the military, he has contributed and edited articles on subjects political, sports car related, and of murder mystery dinner games. Grouped with his enthusiasm for culinary arts and sports, he enjoys discussions on the various perspectives of the comics medium. Contact Mark here.

 

NPR's Weldon on Brave and the Bold cartoon

(Batman - Brooding + Obscure Characters) x NPH = A Thing That is Arguably Good

By Glen Weldon

National Public Radio's Monkey See blog October 28, 2009

http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2009/10/batman_brooding_obscure_charac_1.html?sc=nl&cc=msb-20091028

 

Fantom Comics new store

Masteribid writes in

I was in Pentagon City Mall last night so I stopped in to Fantom Comics. They haven't gotten on the mall map yet. They're kind of out of the way so you're not likely to just stumble across their store. They're up on the top floor near Nordstroms and the Radio Shack. For such a small space they've done well with it. The walls are all glass so they've positioned their most popular selections (comics and graphic novels for kids)  where you can see them from up the hall. The inner walls are filled with graphic novels. They had several that I hadn't seen in other shops. Hidden behind the hallway viewable stuff is a small selection of back issues.

The whole place can be described as small, but well proportioned. It has a good selection despite its dimensions. They will not, however, be hosting Magic or D&D sessions.

Weldon on crime comics

Crime Comics Make A Comeback With 'Noir'
by Glen Weldon
National Public Radio's Books We Like (October 27 2009)

You know, for a small city, we bloggers don't run into each other. I've never met Weldon, or Mark Ruffin, or Zadzooks... They may all be fictional. I know I'm real.

Arthur Szyk talk in DC for Veterans Day

Dear friends and members of The Arthur Szyk Society:

 

Greetings! You and your family and friends are invited to attend

 

 

    Arthur Szyk: Soldier in Art

    An illustrated presentation on the art and messages of Polish-Jewish artist Arthur Szyk (1894-1951)

    by Irvin Ungar, Curator of The Arthur Szyk Society

 

    Veterans Day

    November 11, 2009

    1:00 - 3:00pm EST

 

    National Museum of American Jewish Military History

    1811 R Street NW

    Washington, DC 20009

    (202) 265-6280

 

 

 

The Society is delighted to announce that the NMAJMH has invited Irvin to speak on the art of Arthur Szyk in honor of the Jewish War Veterans (JWV). As you may know, Szyk – a veteran of World War I – was an active member of the JWV in the United States. He created several beautiful works of art exclusively for the JWV's use, works that will be highlighted in Irvin's exciting presentation.

 

We hope you will invite your family and friends to enjoy this timely and inspiring event in our nation's capital. To help you spread the word, we have attached the NMAJMH's official event flyer (in both Microsoft Word and PDF format) so you can easily print or email it.

 

Please notify us if you are coming to Washington DC on November 11th so Irvin can plan to greet you with a warm "hello" on behalf of all of us at The Society. Hope to see you there!

 

Best regards,

Allison Chang
Society Coordinator
The Arthur Szyk Society
1200 Edgehill Drive
Burlingame, CA 94010
Tel: 650-343-9588
Fax: 650-579-6014
allison@szyk.org
www.szyk.org

Looking for Calvin and Hobbes This Thursday at 7 PM at Big Planet Comics in Bethesda

Nevin Martell writes in,

LOOKING FOR CALVIN AND HOBBES" BOOK RELEASE PARTY

Come on down this Thursday to celebrate the release of my latest book, "Looking for Calvin and Hobbes: The Unconventional Story of Bill Watterson and His Revolutionary Comic Strip." There will be a reading, a presentation of unseen Watterson art, a Q&A and a signing. Feel free to bring friends and pass along this invite.

THE DETAILS

This Thursday, October 29th

7 PM - 9 PM

Big Planet Comics
4908 Fairmont Ave
Bethesda, MD

http://www.bigplanetcomics.com/

--

Blair Witch movie director at Beyond Comics UPDATED

Randy pointed out that Blair Witch Project Director Eduardo Sanchez will be at one of the Beyond Comics in Gaithersburg on Saturday October 31st from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Beyond Comics | Gaithersburg Square | 536 North Frederick Avenue | Gaithersburg | MD | 20878

2 obituaries for Addams Family music composer

Composer wrote snappy themes to 'Addams Family, 'Green Acres'

By T. Rees Shapiro
Washington Post, October 22, 2009

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/21/AR2009102103966.html

 

Vic Mizzy, Songwriter of ‘Addams Family’ Fame, Dies at 93

By MIKE HALE, October 21, 2009

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/21/arts/television/21mizzy.html

 

 

Fantom Comics 'settled' at Pentagon City

Fantom Comics' belated October newsletter says they've "settled into the Pentagon City Mall" which sounds good. I still haven't visited yet - anyone made it?

Zadzooks reviews comic books again this week

Zadzooks: Comic book reviews, Marvel Zombies Return, Emily the Strange and more
Joseph Szadkowski
Washington Times October 22, 2009

Post's Astro Boy review

This was buried in the Weekend section, but at least they reviewed it - "He's caught between two worlds," By Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post Staff Writer, Friday, October 23, 2009.

AAEC's Cartoons for the Classroom features Herblock

Click here for the October 25th teacher's handout on Herblock.

Comic Riffs greets returning USO cartoonists

Playing the Palace: Hours back from Iraq, top cartoonists share tales of a USO tour
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog October 24, 2009

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 10-28-09

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 10-28-09
By John Judy

ABE SAPIEN ONE-SHOT by Mike Mignola, John Arcudi and Patric Reynolds.  A story from Abe's early days with the BPRD that is haunting in all senses of the word.  Recommended.

ARKHAM REBORN #1 of 3 by David Hine and Jeremy Haun.  Arkham Asylum is being rebuilt to its original specs.  This cannot possibly bode well for anyone…

ASTRO CITY: ASTRA SPECIAL #2 of 2 by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson. Not-so-little Astra and her beau have a bit of a to-do at an extra-dimensional watering hole.  Fun stuff and a nice reprieve from the grimness of "The Dark Age" epic in the regular title.  Recommended.

BLACKEST NIGHT #4 of 8 by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis.  Earth is evacuated as the dead continue to rise.  Can even Hal Jordan discover the secret behind the Black Lanterns?  Well, one would hope…  Recommended.

DARK REIGN: THE LIST – WOLVERINE #1 by Jason Aaron and Esad Ribic.  It's Jason Aaron writing Wolverine and he's one of the only guys on the planet who can do that and not suck.  For this reason alone we must read this comic.  Oh, and Ribic's art is choice as always.  Recommended.

FANTASTIC FOUR #572 by Jonathan Hickman and Dale Eaglesham.  Things were going so well for the Justice League of Reed Richardses.  But then they stopped going well and started getting very problematic.  Can even the JLoRRs solve this one?  Big Brains and Big Fights galore!  Excelsior!

FREAKANGELS VOL.3 SC by Warren Ellis and Paul Duffield.  The third collection of the adventures of "twelve strange children."  Featuring a serial killer and a breaking of a rule.  Recommended.

GREEN LANTERN #47  by Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke.  Lantern fight!  Blue Lanterns mix it up with Orange Lanterns and things are looking… Brown?  Seriously, that's what you get when you mix blue with orange.  A Brown Lantern would just be… kind of disturbing…

HULK #16 by Jeph Loeb and Ian Churchill.  "Red She-Hulk."  There, I said it.  A She-Hulk who's red.  This issue: Streaky the Hulk Cat.  I mean, why not at this point?

IGNITION CITY #5 of 5 by Warren Ellis and Gianluca Pagliarani.  The grand finale in which we finally stop hearing how crappy Ignition City is and find out why it's so crappy!  Plus, jet packs, zap guns and explodey stuff!  Recommended.

MAP OF MY HEART GN written and drawn by John Porcellino.  A little something from Porcellino celebrating the 20th anniversary of his zine KING CAT COMICS and mourning his divorce.  From Drawn and Quarterly.

NEW AVENGERS #58 by Brian Michael Bendis and Stuart Immonen.  The Hood, guest-starring some Avengers!  Ya remember Korvac?  Thanos?  Those were guys ya felt deserved to fight Earth's Mightiest Heroes.  The Hood?  Not so much.  Just sayin'…

NORTHLANDERS #21 by Brian Wood and Leandro Fernandez.  The new story-arc begins here!  "The Plague Widow" follows the troubles of a Russian Viking village in the year 1020.  A contagion afflicts them, as does an enemy within.  Recommended.

PREVIEWS by Marvel and Diamond Comics.  The Future of Comics!  Literally!

SUPERMAN #693 by James Robinson and Fernando Dagnino.  Lois Lane's evil military dad is torturing the super-people again.  Also Bizarro.

SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN #2 of 6 by Geoff Johns and Mike McKone.  Superboy meets the Legion of Super-Heroes for the first time!  Again! Recommended!

ULTIMATE COMICS: ARMOR WARS #2 of 4 by Warren Ellis and Steve Kurth.  Ultimate Tony Stark fights a bunch of people over his stolen technology.  Ellis on the scripting so it will involve lots of "bleeding edge" references and violence.  Recommended.

ULTIMATE COMICS: AVENGERS #3 by Mark Millar and Carlos Pacheco.  Ultimate Captain America has gone rogue hunting down his son, the Ultimate Red Skull.  Seriously.  The Skull is Cap's son.  And let's not even get into the whole "cutting his own face off" thing.  Maybe not the title to give to the "Super Hero Squad" fan on your list.

WOLVERINE: WEAPON X #6 by Jason Aaron and Yanick Paquette.  Wolverine's in a nut-house with a doctor who wants to cut his brain out.  And this is why Jason Aaron is the best writer ever.  Recommended.

WONDER WOMAN #37 by Gail Simone and Bernard Chang.  There's a rash among the Amazons!  Of pregnancies!  Why couldn't they have called it a spate?  Go figure…

X-FACTOR #50 by Peter David and Valentine De Landro. Big wrap-up to a year's worth of story-lines!  Or else!  Recommended.

www.johnjudy.net


     

PR: Fellowship applications being accepted by Swann Foundation

The Swann Foundation for Caricature and Cartoon, administered by the Library of Congress is accepting applications for its graduate fellowship, one of the few for scholarly work in the field, for the 2010-1011 academic year. Deadline for receipt of applications is February 15, 2011. Please email swann@loc.gov or call (202) 707-9115, if you have questions. For criteria, guidelines, and application forms, please see:
http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/swann/swann-fellow.html

Thank you for the opportunity to post this notice. My apologies for cross listing.


Martha H. Kennedy
Curator, Popular & Applied Graphic Art
Prints and Photographs Division
Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave. SE
Washington, DC   20540-4730
Ph.: 202/707-9115     Fax: 202/707-6647

Nov 2: Geppi's Entertainment Museum teacher's night

For details, see GEM’s Second Annual Teacher’s Night, Scoop October 23 2009

Crumb's appearance in Richmond

Here's a student mulling over it, and passing along the discount code - "The Good Book gets a new look," by Matt Fisher, RVA News October 22, 2009.

Based on David Hagen's comment earlier this week (boy I hope I remembered that right), and a ridiculous discount on Amazon, I've ordered the book.