Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Nov 30: Politics and Prose graphic novel meeting time change

The group had to move the meeting time, so the new one is the 30th of November, the Monday after Thanksgiving, at 7:30pm, discussing Ware's Jimmy Corrigan.

Harry Katz on Herblock on KPBS

To read the transcript with Harry Katz, former prints curator at the Library of Congress on Herblock, click through "Herblock Was One Of Most Influential Political Cartoonists In U.S. History," By Maureen Cavanaugh, Hank Crook, KPBS These Days | Monday, November 2, 2009, or click here to listen to the audio.

Post on Doonesbury on Twitter

'Doonesbury' on Twitter: A sweet tweet

Howard Kurtz

Washington Post Staff Writer

Monday, November 2, 2009

Nov 3: Herblock curator tour at Noon

Join the curators of the new Herblock exhibit at the Library of Congress’ Jefferson building at noon for a tour of the exhibit and a look at ‘Herblock in World War II.’

Monday, November 02, 2009

U of MD's Diamondback's streak of successful cartoonists

See "Diamondback doodlers: Several ’90s cartoonists went big-time with their drawings," By Kristi Tousignant, University of Maryland's Diamondback November 2, 2009. Featured are Frank Cho, Jeff Kinney, and Aaron McGruder. Corey Thomas, who does Watch Your Head, came out of Howard University.

Library of Congress Accepting Swann Fellowship Applications

Library of Congress
101 Independence Avenue SE
Washington DC   20540

November 2, 2009
Public contact: Martha Kennedy (202) 707-9115, mkenn@loc.gov


Swann Foundation Accepting Fellowship Applications
Foundation Supports Research in the Humorous Arts of Caricature and Cartoon


The Caroline and Erwin Swann Foundation for Caricature and Cartoon, administered by the Library of Congress, is accepting applications for its graduate fellowship for the 2010-2011 academic year.  Applications are due by close of business on Friday, Feb. 15, 2010, and notification will occur in the spring. 

The Swann Foundation seeks to award one fellowship annually (with a stipend of up to $15,000) to assist in continuing scholarly research and writing projects in the field of caricature and cartoon.  Depending on the number and quality of proposals, the advisory board may elect to make multiple, smaller awards.

A fellow is required to be in residence in Washington, D.C., for a minimum of two weeks, use the Library's extensive collections and deliver a public lecture at the Library on his or her work.  Each fellow must also provide a copy of his or her dissertation, thesis or postgraduate publication upon completion, for the Swann Foundation Fund files.

Guidelines and application forms are available through the Swann Foundation's website www.loc.gov/rr/print/swann/swann-fellow.html, by e-mailing swann@loc.gov or by calling Martha Kennedy in the Prints and Photographs Division of the Library at (202) 707-9115.

To be eligible, an applicant must be a resident of the United States and a candidate for a master's or doctoral degree at a university based in the United States, Canada or Mexico.  The applicant must be working toward completion of a dissertation or thesis for that degree or be engaged in postgraduate research within three years of receiving an M.A. or a Ph.D.  Individuals who are not U.S. residents but who otherwise meet these academic qualifications may also apply and be considered for a fellowship, contingent upon their visa eligibility. 

The applicant's research must be in the field of caricature and cartoon.  There are no restrictions on the place or time period covered.  To encourage research in a variety of academic disciplines, any university department may oversee a project proposed for the fellowship, provided the subject pertains to caricature or cartoon art.

Requirements for the fellowship applications include a statement of qualifications, a one-page abstract of the proposed project, a project description that specifies research needs and a budget, two letters of reference and official transcripts.

The Swann Foundation Fellowship in Caricature and Cartoon is one of a small number of scholarly fellowships that provide direct support for continuing graduate research in the field.  It has supported groundbreaking research on caricature and cartoon that focuses on a variety of subjects and topics such as the Cold War; representations of race, class conflict and disease; and the early origins of caricature and political satire, and the cultural and social forces that have influenced the development of prominent cartoonists' work.  For a list of research projects, visit www.loc.gov/rr/rint/swann/swann-fellowslist.html.

The Caroline and Erwin Swann Foundation for Caricature and Cartoon is overseen by an advisory board composed of scholars, collectors, cartoonists and Library of Congress staff members.  The foundation's activities support the study, interpretation, preservation and appreciation of original works of humorous and satiric art by graphic artists from around the world.  New York advertising executive Erwin Swann (1906-1973) established the Swann Foundation for Caricature and Cartoon in 1967.

# # #

PR09-225
11/2/09
ISSN: 0731-3527


KAL Creates 2010 Wall Calendar for The Economist

Kal writes in:
I am delighted to announce the publication of The Economist's first ever fully illustrated wall calendar. Here's how The Economist describes the 2010 "Illustrated Look at the Year Ahead":

Kevin "Kal" Kallaugher, The Economist's editorial cartoonist since 1978, takes you on an entertaining journey through the world's most celebrated (and occasionally obscure) global events, milestones and holidays. 
Each of the 12 monthly spreads provides a visual feast of original, hand-drawn artwork that brings to life the events of the current month and combines them into a hilarious interconnected story.

You can view the cover artwork with the attached image...or visit www.Kaltoons.com for more pictures and information on how to order the calendar at my online bookstore.

Best

Kal





Sunday, November 01, 2009

Post to colorize Doonesbury

Comic Riffs is reporting that the newly re-enlarged Doonesbury will also be appearing in dramatic color.

Big Planet Comics owner Greg Bennett may be coming to a town near you

Greg's about to go on tour with his band, The Jet Age. Their two-and-a-half week tour will take them through the midwest and the west.

Quick Reviews for Comics Due 11-04-09

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS 11-04-09
By John Judy
 
AGE OF BRONZE #29 written and drawn by Eric Shanower.  No promotional blurb could top the original: "Special Music Issue. Achilles headlines with a song about cosmic sex as Cressida has her heart ripped out."  Not for kids.  Recommended.
 
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #609 by Marc Guggenheim, Marco Checchetto and Luke Ross.  Spidey fights the dinosaur dude.  No, the other one.  "Raptor."
 
ASTONISHING X-MEN #32 by Warren Ellis and Phil Jimenez.  Sentinels!  Zombie Sentinels!  Brood!  Oh, Ellis!
 
BATMAN: THE WIDENING GYRE #3 of 6 by Kevin Smith and Walter Flanagan.  "Guest-starring Aquaman!"  No fair making it irresistible, DC!
 
BLACK WIDOW: DEADLY ORIGIN #1 of 4 by Paul Cornell, Tom Raney and John Paul Leon.  What it sounds like, but Cornell is so darn clever he'll find a way to make it work!
 
THE BOYS #36 by Garth Ennis and John Darick Robertson.  The Awesome Origin of "Mother's Milk" at the conclusion of which you will please stop screaming.  Please.  Recommended.  Not for kids.
 
BOYS: HEROGASM #6 of 6 by Garth Ennis and John McCrea.  At last, the devastating climax!  (Hides head in shame…)  Not for kids.
 
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #30 by Jane Espenson and Georges Jeanty.  I'm starting to think the goal of these stories is to get the number of Slayers on Earth back down to one.  Recommended anyway because it's Jane Espenson and she writes real good.
 
CAPTAIN AMERICA: REBORN #4 of 6 by Ed Brubaker and Bryan Hitch.  Doctor Doom and the Red Skull have made a pact, so maybe this whole "reborn" thing is a tad premature…  Gotta look!
 
CRIMINAL DELUXE EDITION HC by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips.  Collecting books 1-3 and a bunch of extras.  Why wait for Christmas?  Get it now!  Highly recommended.
 
DEATHLOK #1 of 7 by Charlie Huston and Lan Medina.  Marvel's classic killer cyborg gets the Moon Knight treatment: A full reboot with lots of violence!  Hey, it's Deathlok.  Not like we were ever gonna see him on "Super Hero Squad."  But wouldn't it be great if we did?
 
ESCAPISTS SC by Brian K. Vaughan, Michael Chabon and Various Really Good Artists.  Inspired by "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay" and the comic book capital of the world, Cleveland Ohio!  Recommended.
 
IMMORTAL WEAPONS #4 of 5 by Duane Swierczynski and Khari Evans.  Tiger's Beautiful Daughter.  Don't let the name fool you!  Her kung-fu is tough!  Recommended.
 
MARVELOUS LAND OF OZ #1 of 8 by Eric Shanower and Skottie Young.  Picking up where they left off with WONDERFUL WORLD OF OZ, Shanower and Young take on L. Frank Baum's next epic.  Forget the movie!  Read the comic!  (Always good advice.)
 
SECRET SIX #15 by John Ostrander and J. Calafiore.  Guest-writer John Ostrander returns to Deadshot and Deadshot returns to killing lots and lots of people!  OK, technically you need to leave something before you return to it, but you get the idea.
 
STRANGE TALES #3 of 3 by Various Creators.  Indy artists and writers take a crack at their favorite Marvel icons with interesting results.  Verrry interrresting….
 
STUMPTOWN #1 by Greg Rucka and Matthew Southworth.  When a private dick with a gambling problem finds herself on the hook for big money to a casino the best way out is probably to do the casino owner a favor.  Because that always ends well.  Highly "Rucka-mended!"
 
SUPERMAN: WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #9 of 12 by James Robinson, Greg Rucka and Pete Woods.  Jemm, Son of Saturn wants a word with the New Kryptonians!  No, seriously…
 
TORCH #3 of 8 by Mike Carey, Alex Ross and Patrick Berkenkotter.  Darn!  The original Human Torch is back but he's a mind-controlled bad guy now!  Sure hope that doesn't last!
 
X-MEN ORIGINS: ICEMAN ONE-SHOT by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Phil Noto.  What it sounds like but Aguirre-Sacasa's so darn clever he'll find a way to make it work!
 
X-MEN VS. AGENTS OF ATLAS #2 of 2 by Jeff Parker and Carlo Pagulayan.  Just go with it….
 
YELLOW LANTERN PROMOTIONAL RINGS by DC Comics and the Sinestro Corps!  Powered by Fear and Evil so turn on FoxNews and let 'er rip!
 
 


Nov 2: Lethem at Folger tomorrow

Comics-friendly author Jonathan Lethem will be in town, reading from his new book this fall.

Nov. 2: Lethem is at Folger Elizabethan Theatre, at 7:30, $15.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Zombie graphic novel chat on Post site yesterday

Zombies: Doomsday Attack - Max Brooks, Author and Screenwriter
Washington Post Friday, October 30, 2009; 11:00 AM

Nevin Martell at Big Planet Comics, a brief report

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A couple of nights ago, Nevin Martell read from his new book, Looking for Calvin and Hobbes at Big Planet Comics. I've reviewed the book already, but Nevin's illustrated lecture for "the love child I've been working on for the past two years" as he put it, is worth seeing, because he "uncovered a lot of art that no one's ever seen before."

Much of that was Watterson's early high school and college cartoons, and his stint as a professional political cartoonist, but Nevin also showed us what Watterson's most recent public art has been. He's done these projected illustrations for a friend's Spanish Day, a Flamenco guitar rock opera.




Wash Post Style Invitational contest to combine two comic strips results

None of them did much for me, even though one of my neighbors is a winner, but see

The Style Invitational
Washington Post October 31 2009


Report from Week 837
in which we asked you to combine two comic strips and tell about the result:

Two NY students win Herblock-related cartoon contest

See "A winning combination: Two local students win national editorial cartoon contest,"
By SHARON GLEASON, NeXt Editor, Buffalo News October 29, 2009.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Dec 6: Eisner film at AFI in Silver Spring

Dec 6th 12pm AFI Will Eisner: Portrait of a Sequential Artist

thanks to Liz for the tip

Pop culture professor Ray Browne dies

"Ray Browne, 87; Professor saw the potential in studying pop culture," By T. Rees Shapiro
Washington Post Staff Writer, Thursday, October 29, 2009.

I never met him, but obviously I agree with his life's work. By the way, the current New Yorker, November 2, 2009, is this year's thin cartoon issue - it doesn't even say it on the spine - and it's got work by Chris Ware in it. Speaking of pop culture sneaking into high brow worlds...

Maira Kalman visits the Capitol

...and discovers that law making can be a messy thing - E Pluribus Unum, New York Times' And The Pursuit of Happiness blog (October 29 2009)

 

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Nov 6: Photographs Redefining the American Superhero

Another one from Michael O'Connell...


Contact: Brooke Seidelmann
1632 U Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
p: 202.483.8600
brooke@smithfarm.com
www.smithfarm.com/gallery


  


Redefining the American Superhero


Washington, DC
- Opening Reception: Friday, November 6, 6:00-8:00PM. The Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery located at 1632 U Street, NW celebrates the opening  of The Real Story of the Superheroes, featuring photographs by Dulce Pinzón.

This exhibition introduces the Latino immigrant in New York in a satirical documentary style featuring ordinary men and women in their work environment donning superhero garb. In doing so, Pinzón raises questions of both our definition of American heroism and the ignorance of and indifference to the workforce that fuels our ever-consuming economy. The exhibition runs November 4 - 28.

Above: Spiderman.  Bernabe Mendez from the State of Guerrero works as a professional window cleaner. He sends $500 home each month.  

High resolution photos are available upon request.

Gallery Hours: Wednesday through Friday 11:00AM-5:00PM, Saturday 11:00AM-3:00PM and by a
ppointment. Additional details are available at www.smithfarm.com/gallery.

This exhibition is a part of FOTOWEEK DC and sponsored in part by the Mexican Cultural Institute.  

   


About the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery at Smith Farm Center:

The Gallery is a mission of Smith Farm Center for Healing and the Arts, a Washington, DC nonprofit organization grounded in the profound belief that each person has tremendous innate abilities to heal in the face of life's challenges, Smith Farm's mission is to develop and promote proven healing practices that explore physical, emotional, and mental resources that lead to life-affirming changes.  Programs and exhibitions in the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery celebrate and stimulate the dynamic creative resources that contribute to health and wellness in each of us.
   
  
        
     


Garfield Teams Up With Attorney General, Virginia Schools to Teach Online Safety

Thanks to Michael O'Connell for the tip...

COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA
Office of the Attorney General
Richmond, VA 23219

William C. Mims
900 East Main St.
Attorney General
Richmond, VA 23219

 804-786-2071


For Immediate Release
Contact: David Clementson
http://www.vaag.com/
804-692-0552
dclementson@oag.state.va.us

Garfield Teams Up With Attorney General, Virginia Schools to Teach Online Safety

RICHMOND – The Commonwealth of Virginia is hoping that a grouchy, opinionated, lasagna-loving cat can help teach children about Internet safety.

At the 15th annual Virginia Educational Technology Conference today, Attorney General Bill Mims and the creator of Garfield, Jim Davis, unveiled an interactive program to teach children about Internet safety, which the Virginia Department of Education is offering to schools statewide.

The Department of Education worked with the Garfield Foundation to draft the script and comprehensive curriculum. The Attorney General's Office provided guidance and funding. Paws Inc. Studios and Hollywood talent provided the animation, voices and production, including legendary film and television voice Frank Welker as Garfield.

"What better than a grouchy, opinionated, lasagna-loving cartoon cat to entertain kids while teaching them how to stay safe on the
Internet?" Attorney General Mims said. "Our Office has partnered with the Department of Education for years through the Youth Internet Safety Task Force and other various initiatives. We thank Jim Davis and his entertainment team for doing this so we can continue to reach students, parents and teachers while having fun."

The first installment of the program, entitled "Online Safety and You," goes live today with interactive lessons, episodes, games,
quizzes and teaching materials. The first lesson is about "cyberbullying." It is offered free to everyone through InfiniteLearningLab.org.

"You wouldn't believe the number of moms, dads and teachers who've told me that Garfield was the reason their child started reading, and – gasp! – learning," Jim Davis said. "Professor Garfield can teach students about Internet safety, tickling their brain and their funnybone."

Two years ago Virginia became the first state in the nation to mandate that all public schools teach Internet safety. The new Professor Garfield program is not mandatory for schools, but rather a recommended addition to the teaching arsenal.

"Professor Garfield is an exciting addition to the Commonwealth's nationally-recognized Internet safety team," said Patricia Wright,
Superintendent of Public Instruction for the Virginia Department of Education. "On behalf of Virginia's public schools, I thank Jim Davis for his generosity and commitment to the children of Virginia."

Today  the Garfield comic strip is in almost every newspaper in the world. More than 2,400 newspapers now carry Garfield and an estimated 200 million people read the strip every day. The strip is the most widely syndicated comic strip in the world.

The Professor Garfield Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational collaboration between Paws, Inc., the global headquarters
for Garfield the Cat, and Ball State University's teacher training and digital education.