Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Weldon's Thanksgiving graphic novel recommendations

Five MORE Tomes With Which to Tough Out Your Turkey Coma by Glen Weldon, National Public Radio's Monkey See blog November 25, 2009

Fantastic Mr. Fox reviews

Outfoxed Viggo Mortensen outwits cannibals, grimaces; Mr. Fox steals chickens, has a lot more fun.
By Tricia Olszewski
Washington City Paper November 25, 2009

'The Fantastic Mr. Fox' a little less-than-fantastic adaptation
By Sally Kline
Washington Examiner Movie Critic
November 25, 2009

'Road' a diverging spectacle; 'Fox' a sure-footed charmer
By Ann Hornaday
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Rob Ullman covers City Paper again


Rob Ullman has the cover of this week's City Paper - a bit of a change as he's doing cute gay guys rather than cute girls.

Politics and Prose and Jimmy Corrigan on Nov 30

There's no graphic novel book group meeting tonight - instead Ware's Jimmy Corrigan will be discussed on Nov. 30th.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

1/30: Darwyn Cooke at National Portrait Gallery

Darwyn Cooke will discuss his graphic novel The Hunter, based on 1962 crime classic by Donald Westlake (under pseudonym Richard Stark). January 30. 4pm.  Free.

Tip from Bruce Guthrie

Nov 28: Kal to Perform with Baltimore Improv Group

In a special collaboration, The Baltimore Improv Group and Kal will team up for a fun Thanksgiving weekend spectacular on Saturday, November 28, 8PM at Baltimore's Creative Alliance.  For more info visit BIG's webpage:

Best

Kal

Fantastic Mr. Fox interview on Comic Riffs

The 'Riffs Interview: WES ANDERSON introduces his fantastic 'Mr. Fox'


By Michael Cavna

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog November 24, 2009


Monday, November 23, 2009

Friends of ComicsDC badge



Because no one demanded it!


The official Friends of ComicsDC badge can now be ordered -- or be awarded for meritorious service (you'll have to take your chance on that though).

That artwork by David Hagen is certainly getting a workout. You can buy his stuff on Zazzle too.

ComicsAZ part 1



Last week, ComicsDC visited Arizona, and I'll put on my ComicsAZ guise for a few posts this week.

The above photograph refers to Krazy Kat's home in Coconino County of course. We didn't spot the Kat even though we drove through the county several times.

This cartoon by Bil Keane hangs in my cousin's house. He came in for something when she was running a print shop and did this drawing for her two children. She says she currently has a retired Disney animator for a neighbor - I'll try to get more details.

Weldon on Gaiman's Sandman

As I continue to catch up...

The Inevitable Post About Neil Gaiman's 'The Sandman' by Glen Weldon, National Public Radio's Monkey See blog November 18, 2009

Post-Thanksgiving comics sales in the area UPDATED

Beyond Comics:
Thanksgiving SALE!
Friday November 27th to Sunday November 30th
25% Off Comics & Graphic Novels*
10% Off Everything Else*
Up to 75% Off Select Store Items
(Visit individual stores for sale items)
T-shirts 30 % OFF
Friday 9:00 am to 9:30 pm
Saturday 9:00 am to 9:30 pm
Sunday 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
* Certain exclusions apply including recent arrivals. Not combinable with any other discount.
May not be used on subscriptions, special orders, or held items.

Cards, Comics & Collectibles (Reistertown, MD - 410-526-2321)
Friday-Sunday
New Comics 20% off
Graphic novels and collections 50% off
Modern back issues 70% off
Vintage comics 30% off
Toys and statues 50% off

Fantom Comics

Black(est) Friday... 25% Off EVERYTHING

Yeah, that's right, it's a Blackest Night week. But its Dark Reign stops here. We Siege control from this runaway Goblin by offering the deal of the year. On November 27th from 5:00 am until 9:59 am at our Pentagon City Mall location only, we are offering 25% off EVERYTHING! The perfect time to pick up multiple volumes of a series or upgrade your favorite graphic novel to the Absolute edition!

33% Off Back Issues All Week

Starting Monday November 23rd and ending Sunday November 29th, all back issues are 33% off. We recently cleaned out old subscriber folders, which has supplied new titles to our back issue section. Come early and often to get the series you may have missed, want to get caught up on, or want to start. This sale is limited to comic books within the white back issue boxes.

Coloring Cul de Sac Contest

Richard Thompson and Comic Riffs are sponsoring a color-your-own Cul de Sac contest.

Also Richard's telephone interview by Tom Racine, postponed from San Diego until recently is online.

Brad Meltzer writes Buffy

Former local writer Brad Meltzer is writing the Buffy comic book - Brad Meltzer Leaps Into the Buffyverse, by Jeffrey Renaud, Staff Writer, November 18th, 2009.

Freer's Tezuka fest report

Ed Sizemore was at the Freer's Tezuka weekend festival even though I couldn't make it (although a friend from work picked up Fred Schodt's book and had it signed for me).

Sunday, November 22, 2009

ComicsDC in search of Krazy Kat - Coming Soon!

Quick Reviews for Comics Due 11-25-09


QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 11-25-09
By John Judy
 
And this week we are thankful for…
 
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #613 by Mark Waid and Paul Azaceta.  OK, I gotta admit Waid has completely won me over with Electro taking on the Wall Street thieves.  Let's get Electro his own monthly title, stat!  Recommended.
 
ARCHIE #603 by Michael Uslan and Stan Goldberg.  In which we find out what would have happened if Archie had married Betty as God intended.  Veronica who?
 
BLACKEST NIGHT #5 of 8 by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis.  Finally the Big Bad behind the Black Lanterns is revealed!  It's Nekron!  You remember him!  C'mon, at least it wasn't Darkseid again.  Recommended.
 
THE BOYS, VOL. 5: HEROGASM SC by Garth Ennis and John McCrea.  In which we learn what the supes do to blow off steam.  Absolutely not for kids.
 
CHEW #6 by John Layman and Rob Guillory.  Presenting the further adventures of Comicdom's first cannibal clairvoyant, the FDA's own Agent Tony Chu!  This time up it's international cuisine! Recommended.
 
CHEW, VOL.1 SC by John Layman and Rob Guillory.  Collecting issues 1-5 of this twisted, amazing series about a man who gains psychic impressions from everything he eats. Recommended.
 
CRIMINAL: SINNERS #2 by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips.  Tracy Lawless has his assignment: Find the person who's whacking mobsters and try not to get whacked himself.  Just another tricky day…  Highly recommended.
 
DETECTIVE COMICS #859 by Greg Rucka, JH Williams III and Cully Hamner.  The origin of Batwoman continues while the Question hooks up with the Huntress!  This book!  Ya gotta love this book!
 
GOON #33 written and drawn by Eric Powell.  "Poop potato!"  Highly recommended.
 
GREEN LANTERN #48 by Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke.  The War of Light keeps blazing away.  Talk about colors clashing!  Recommended.
 
HULK #17 by Jeph Loeb and Ian Churchill.  Red Hulk smash!  And repeat…
 
IMAGE UNITED #1 of 6 by Robert Kirkman and the Image Boys.  The founders of Image Comics all draw their characters teaming up to fight a Bad Thing.  Featuring six variant covers to remind you of the good old days that made Image the most beloved company of fans and retailers alike.
 
IMMORTAL WEAPONS #5 of 5 by Dave Lapham and Arturo Lozzi. He's the guy even the other Immortal Weapons fear and revere.  He's John Aman, the Prince of Orphans, the Green Mist of Death, the Amazing-Man.  But what's his real story?
 
INCOGNITO SC by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips.  Collecting the mini-series that asked "What would it be like if Mr. Incredible was a bad guy?"
 
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #20 by Matt Fraction and Salvador Larocca.  Tony Stark is virtually brain-dead and not just from a wild night on the town.  Can even his old pal Thor pull him out of this one?
 
JUSTICE LEAGUE CRY FOR JUSTICE #5 of 7 by James Robinson and Mauro Cascioli.  Prometheus gets his due but not in time to save one of the team.
 
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #39 by James Robinson and Mark Bagley.   Black Lantern Doctor Light is back from the grave and not liking any of this.
 
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #33 by Bill Willingham, Matthew Sturges and Jesus Merino.  There's a traitor in the JSA!  Family meeting!
 
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: DEATHLOK VOL.1 HC by Doug Moench, Bill Mantlo and Rich Buckler.  Collecting the seventies adventures and origin of Marvel's first, great killer cyborg from the future, Deathlok the Demolisher.  Steve Austin he was not.
 
NEW AVENGERS #59 by Brian Michael Bendis and Stuart Immonen.  Spider-Woman and Spider-Man share an adventure.  Because you can never get too much Spider-Woman in a given month.  Watch your back, Wolverine.
 
NORTHLANDERS #22 by Brian Wood and Leandro Fernandez.  Hilda the plague widow must find a way to survive in a Viking community that has taken drastic steps to survive the disease ravaging their village.  And you thought waiting in line for swine flu vaccine was tough!
 
PREVIEWS by Marvel and Diamond Comics.  See what 2010 has in store comics-wise!
 
SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING, VOL. 2 HC by Alan Moore and Various Artists.  Collecting issues 28-34, plus the second annual of the book that introduced Alan Moore to America.  Too bad it didn't work out.  Highly recommended.
 
SHADE THE CHANGING MAN, VOL. 2: EDGE OF VISION SC by Peter Milligan and Various Artists.  Collecting issues 7-13 of this mind-bending eighties series about a man who falls to Earth and into the body of an executed serial killer who doesn't want to stay dead.  Recommended.
 
SUPERMAN #694 by James Robinson and Javier Pina.  Mon-El's back and Bizarro's getting' smacked!  Bam!
 
SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN #3 of 6 by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank.  Mr. Kent goes to Metropolis.  Recommended.
 
THOR GIANT SIZE FINALE by J. Michael Straczynski and Marko Djurdjevic.  Earthbound gods, Oklahomans, and Doctor Doom all come crashing together for this epic finale to JMS's revival of Marvel's classic character.  Gotta look!
 
ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS #4 by Mark Millar and Carlos Pacheco.  Everybody fights, ultimate-style!  May contain words.
 
UNCANNY X-MEN #517 by Matt Fraction and Greg Land.  Magneto's back so you know there's gonna be a dust-up!
 
WONDER WOMAN #33 by Gail Simone and Aaron Lopresti.  Wonder Woman in prison!  I'll be in my bunk….
 
And finally the set is complete!  Green and Red Lantern power rings!  Beware their power!
 
 


Saturday, November 21, 2009

IJOCA 11-2 table of contents

The new issue of the International Journal of Comic Art is out and here's the table of contents -

Vol. 11, No. 2, Fall 2009

 

Indian Cartooning Symposium

Edited by John A. Lent

 

An Illustrated History of Indian Political Cartooning

John A. Lent

3

 

Vivalok Comics: Celebrating All That Is Small in India

Karline McLain

26

 

G. Aravindan's "Small Men and the Big World":

Re- Defining the "Comic" in the Strip

Gokul T. G.

44

 

Making People Laugh:

Toms and K. J. Yesudasan, Premier Cartoonists

in Kerala, India

Shevlin Sebastian

53

 

The Most Popular Polish Comics (1957-1989)

Radoslaw Bolalek

59

 

The Smartest Comic on Earth:

Metafiction in Chris Ware's Acme Novelty Library #16

Paul Cheng

88

 

Lessons My Father Taught Me about Komiks

Clodualdo del Mundo, Jr.

103

 

"Sex and the City":

The Graphic Novel Series Aya

as West African Comedy of Manners

Marla Harris

119

 

The Next Generation of Comics Scholarship

Sandino and Other Superheroes:

The Function of Comic Books in Revolutionary Nicaragua

Bram Draper

136

 

Both Everyman and Other:

"Dilbert" as an Exemplar of Newspaper Comics' Simultaneous Identification and Distance

Julie A. Davis

176

 

Chronicler of Most of a Century:

Cartoonist Ding Cong (1916-2009)

John A. Lent and Xu Ying

195

 

"The Greatest Story Ever Drawn!"

Cleopatra in American Comics

Gregory N. Daugherty

208

 

Press Cartoons in France: A Short History

Jean-Marie Bertin

English translation by Micheline Maupoint and Alex Noel Watson

231

 

Vive la France, Now Who Are We?

Bande Dessinée, the 16 July 1949 Law,

and the Political Re-imagining of Post-World War II France

Joel Vessels

272

 

 

Beyond High and Low:

How Comics and Museums Learned to Co-exist

Kim Munson

283

 

Affect and the Body in Melville's "Bartleby"

and Jillian Tamaki and Mariko Tamaki's Skim

Patti Luedecke

299

 

Working Around Words:

Rauf Talishinsky's Azerbaijani Web Cartoons

Interview and Commentary by Alison Mandaville

Translation by Nikki Talishinsky

322

 

Drawn to Distraction:

Comics Reading in Kevin Huizenga's "Lost and Found"

Benjamin Stevens

336

 

From Bumpkin to Blessed --

Comics and National Identity: A Brazilian Case Study

Gêisa Fernandes D'Oliveira

350

 

Comic Book Artists and Writers and Philosophers

Jeff McLaughlin

364

 

An Essay

The Spirit Passes:  The Second Coming

of the Comic Strip's Golden Age

Charles Natoli

372

 

"How to Draw Thinking" Panel,

Small Press Expo, Rockville, MD, Oct. 14, 2006

Isaac Cates

380

 

An Essay

From Cartoon Art to Child Pornography

Murray Lee Eiland

396

 

Hong Kong Manhua after the Millennium

Connie Lam

410

 

Moebius, Gir, Giraud, Gérard:

Self-Visualizations

Maaheen Ahmed

421

 

Political Commentary and Dissent

in the Tapestry and the Cartoon Strip

Jamie Egolf

432

 

The Printed Word

John A. Lent

447

 

<Book Reviews>

Starr Hoffman

Héctor Fernández L'Hoeste

Sol M. Davidson

455

 

<Exhibition and Media Reviews>

edited by Michael Rhode

Ian Gordon

R.J. Gregov

Pascal Lefèvre

 Michael J. Dittman

Ron Stewart

Sarah Lightman

Ariel Kahn

Michael Hill

Michael Rhode

Ofer Berenstein

Peter R. Sattler

Beth Davies-Stofka

Nathan Atkinson

Jose Alaniz

472

 

<Portfolio>

515

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Post features local sports cartoonist

Sports cartoonist John Tayman of Maryland is featured in this article on the Post's website - Web-savvy cartoonist makes a bang with the NFL
By Jeff Newman
The Calvert Recorder
Thursday, November 19, 2009

Telnaes and Wuerker are runnerups for Berryman award

Editorial cartoonists Ann Telnaes and Matt Wuerker were Honorary Mentions for the annual Clifford Berryman award. Interestingly, they were both mentioned for their online editorial cartooning. Bill Day, who recently was fired, was also cited. His work submitted for the RFK Award this past year was excellent. The winner was Mike Keefe and the ceremony will be in Washington. Here's the press release:

Mike Keefe of Denver Post Wins Berryman Cartooning Award

From National Press Foundation; Wuerker, Telnaes, Day Also Cited

Washington, November 19 -- Mike Keefe of the Denver Post has been awarded the 2009 Berryman Award for Editorial Cartooning for a wide-ranging series of drawings that poked fun at politicians, journalists and public perceptions.

The award carries a $2,500 prize and a crystal trophy. The award will be presented at the 27th annual National Press Foundation Awards Dinner, Tuesday night, February 16th, 2010, at the Washington Hilton Hotel. The theme of the night’s dinner is, “Journalism Matters.” NPF has created a special blog about its dinner, http://tinyurl.com/yhvsozl.

The judges also awarded Honorary Mentions to Matt Wuerker of Politico and Ann Telnaes of washingtonpost.com for the “innovative use of animation in their work, which is expected to be the wave of the future.”

· One devilishly complicated animated cartoon from Wuerker is called, “The Really Big Operation. “ It is based on a children’s game in which contestants take turns trying to extract a bone or organ from a patient, using an electrified tweezers. In Wuerker’s online version, the “patient” is the U.S. health care system, and making a mistake (as everyone must do) results in a dialogue balloon popping up, saying for example, “BZZZT! Don’t even go near proposing Single Payer. You’ll be called a socialist!” www.politico.com/wuerker/animation.html

· Ann Telnaes, a Pulitzer Prize and previous Berryman winner, uses sound bites made by public figures and then constructs an ironic and often absurd reference for them – Uncle Sam carrying an enormous figure representing China on his back, while a Chinese figure holding U.S. exports in a gift bag stands nearby. When the screen goes dark, you hear the loud sound of Uncle Sam crashing to the ground. (www.washingtonpost.com, search for Ann Telnaes.)

· In another gesture towards the historically important venue of cartooning, the judges awarded a Certificate of Merit to cartoonist Bill Day, for a series of graphically powerful images highlighting child abuse. One showing a small child facing an enormous fist hardly needs a caption at all. Day is the former editorial cartoonist of the Memphis Commercial-Appeal, now syndicated by United Feature Syndicate. His work can be seen at www.unitedfeatures.com.

Keefe will narrative a dozen or so drawings at the event, which draws 1,000 people from the Washington journalism, policy and think tank communities. Single drawings from Wuerker, Telnaes and Day will also be shown. The cartooning award is always one of the highlights of the dinner, the single largest source of unrestricted revenue for NPF, a non-profit that provides no-cost, all expenses paid educational programs for journalists.

In one of Keefe’s entries, he mocks the health care debate and the public’s refusal to pay for infrastructure improvements with a drawing showing a family bumping along a miserable, rocky road. “WHY AREN’T YOU USING THE HIGHWAY?” a woman asks her husband. “I DON’T BELIEVE IN PUBLIC OPTIONS!” he snarls in return as a terrified baby in the back bawls his head off. Keefe has been the editorial cartoonist of the Denver Post since 1975. His work is available through http://www.intoon.com/.

The judges were David Rapp, editor-in-chief, Federal Computer Week, and VP/Content, 1105 Government Information Group; Kathy Mannix, executive director, Young D.C., and Walter Wurfel, broadcast executive. For information about participating in the NPF dinner, contact Kerry@nationalpress.org, 202-663-7282. For information about NPF, contact NPF president Bob Meyers, bob@nationalpress.org.

Nevin Martell Signing Take 2

Nevin Martell, author of Looking for Calvin and Hobbes, will be making an in-store appearance at the Bailey's Crossroads, VA Borders tonight at 7:30 pm:

http://www.borders.com/online/store/EventView?city=&state=&zipCode=&within=&all_stores=&selectedStoreId=10592&eventId=319313&