Jo Chen's panel at San Diego Comic-Con

CCI: Spotlight on Jo Chen
by Bryan J. Daggett, August 8th, 2011
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=33756

Former Washingtonian Dan Nadel interviewed

PictureBox Inc.: Rewriting Post-WWII Visual Culture
by Thea Liberty Nichols
Arts:21 blog August 12th, 2011
http://blog.art21.org/2011/08/12/picturebox-inc-rewriting-post-wwii-visual-culture/

Truitt on Spider-Island again

Spider-Mom gets her time to shine in 'Spider-Island' series
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY August 15 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-08-15-Spider-Mom-shines-in-Spider-Island-digital-comic_n.htm

Team Cul de Sac artwork video preview

Team Cul de Sac founder Chris Sparks has made an artwork video preview - golly, so much to bid on.

Comic Riffs has a bit of commentary.

There's a lot of local cartoonists I see in here and the video ends on Carolyn Belefski's Curls.

PR: Intervention Con

Press Release
INTERVENTION CONVENTION BRINGS CYBER-LIFE TO REAL LIFE
Event brings creators and fans together for weekend of learning and fun

ROCKVILLE, MD, June 14, 2011: Intervention, taking place at the Hilton Washington DC/Rockville in Rockville, MD, from September 16-18, 2011, is an indie creator and geek culture convention for the Internet generation. One part conference, one part fandom event, Intervention aims to provide both creators and fans a venue to learn, appreciate, and celebrate the opportunities technology provides.

"James [Harknell] and I wanted to put together an event that would complement the existing print- centric conventions – we wanted to showcase the creators who use the Internet as their primary publishing method," says convention founder Onezumi Hartstein. "I went to conventions for years to promote my webcomic, and was always treated well, but felt that web creators needed their own space. We're giving them that with Intervention." After a very successful first run in 2010, this year will mark Hartstein's second time organizing the event.

Over thirty guests are currently scheduled to attend, bringing three days of panels and educational workshops. Fans of all stripes are also encouraged to submit their own cutting-edge programming, showcase their own works, and schedule their own meetups at the event. A special track of children's programming will be overseen by Matt Blum, managing editor of the GeekDad blog on Wired.com.

Sponsored by Think Geek www.thinkgeek.com(), Wacom www.wacom.com(), Foam Brain Games www.foambrain.com(), 4Imprint www.4imprint.com(), Squishable www.squishable.com(), and Toy Vault www.toyvault.com(), the convention will also feature video and board gaming, an extensive Artist Alley, live action roleplay (LARP), musical performances, a Steampunk-themed dance, and plenty of giveaways. A charity auction will benefit the Electronic Frontier Foundation www.eff.org(), a civil liberties group that aims to defend freedom on the Internet.

Tickets for Intervention can be bought at http://www.interventioncon.com for $35 for the full weekend (through June 30, 2011). Tickets bought at the door will cost $45, with single-day rates available. More information about guests and events can be found at http://www.interventioncon.com.

Anime USA press release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ANIME USA ANNOUNCES TROPICAL GETAWAY PRIZE

Grand prize for 2011 Masquerade will be a Hawaii trip for two

At this year's Masquerade, Anime USA will be giving away its most lavish grand prize yet: a trip for two to Honolulu, Hawaii.

The trip includes two airplane tickets and hotel lodging for three days and three nights. It will take place in Spring 2012.

Fans can begin to register for Anime USA's 2011 Masquerade (and secure a chance at the grand prize) in October, 2011, at www.animeusa.org.

 

About Anime USA: In 1999 Anime USA began as a northern Virginia convention started by fans, and in 2004 become a non-profit educational organization. Our mission is to educate the public about and promote Japanese arts and popular culture. As in the beginning, we remain a convention of fans, by fans, and for fans. Anime USA is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit.

Anime USA 2011 will be held November 18-20 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, VA. For more information and to register for the convention, visit us at www.animeusa.org.

 ###

 

Contact: John Bowers

Marketing Director, Anime USA,

john.bowers@animeusa.org

Luna Brothers' Ultra collection coming out

Lunas Promote ULTRA Hardcover with Live-Action Trailer
By Vaneta Rogers, Newsarama 30 July 2011
http://www.newsarama.com/comics/ultra-luna-brothers-trailer-hardcover-110730.html

Truitt on the Avengers

It's the Avengers vs. Norman Osborn in 'H.A.M.M.E.R. War'
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY August 11 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-08-11-Avengers-Norman-Osborn-in-HAMMER-War_n.htm

Stan Lee at Nats game on August 19th

Comics Riffs is reporting that Stan Lee will be throwing out the first pitch on August 19th.

Comicsgirl on Roman and Telgemeier appearance

Their appearance at One More Page bookstore this past week was great fun. Comicsgirl has her take on it online now.

For what it's worth, I won the 'disgusted' drawing in the raffle of the artwork, but I let all the kids who won pick first, so in the 'Dave vs Raina' artwork battle? - Raina won.

Truitt on Shaky Kane

Shaky Kane revs up a new edition of 'Monster Truck'
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY August 12 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-08-12-Shaky-Kane-revs-up-a-new-edition-of-Monster-Truck-graphic-novel_n.htm

That darn Brodner

Letter to the Editor
Lack of balance in covering the debt ceiling
Mark Stamm
Washington Post August 13 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/lack-of-balance-in-covering-the-debt-ceiling/2011/08/08/gIQAEALtBJ_story.html

That darn Galifianakis

Letter to the Editor
Children should be spared cartoon ridicule
Anne C. Whipp
Washington Post August 13 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/children-should-be-spared-cartoon-ridicule/2011/08/05/gIQAkgOuBJ_story.html

Comic Riffs on new webcomic by old hands

HOT NEW WEBCOMIC: 'Penny Arcade' & 'PvP' creators tap readers' 'horror stories' with 'The Trenches'
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog August 12 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/hot-new-webcomic-penny-arcade-and-pvp-creators-find-fans-with-the-trenches/2011/08/11/gIQA4UX5AJ_blog.html#pagebreak

Air Force Band does Disney & Pixar favorites tonight in Arlington

The Air Force Concert Band & Singing Sergeants do Disney & Pixar favorites tonight in Arlington at the Air Force Memorial at 8 pm.

GeekDad is shocked, SHOCKED at comic book business as usual

Marvel Bribes Retailers to Destroy DC Comics
By Jason Cranford Teague
August 10, 2011
http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2011/08/the-great-marvel-comics-rip-off/

Thanks to Bruce Guthrie, who pointed this out and noted the tag line:

 

Jason lives near DC with his wife and two kids, where he works for Forum One, practicing User Experience on unsuspecting Web surfers. He loves Doctor Who, Comics, and playing Lego Rock Band and You Don't Know Jack on the Wii with his kids — although the latter is not likely to win him any parent of the year awards. Follow @jasonspeaking and @forumone on Twitter.

PR: Small Press Expo Announces Programming Slate for SPX 2011

Small Press Expo Announces Programming Slate for SPX 2011

For Immediate Release                   Contact: Warren Bernard

E-Mail: warren@spxpo.com

Bethesda, Maryland; August  11, 2010 – The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels and alternative political cartoons, is pleased to announce its slate of programming for SPX 2011. SPX is proud to have earned a reputation for offering some of the most insightful, stimulating public interviews and panel discussions in comics today, assembled by comics educator and curator Bill Kartalopoulos.

Audiences at this year's festival will have the opportunity to enjoy spotlight presentations and question-and-answer sessions with many of SPX's headline guests, including Chester Brown, Roz Chast, Anders Nilsen, Diane Noomin, Johnny Ryan, Alex Robinson, Ann Telnaes, Craig Thompson, and Jim Woodring.

This year's programming will also include a number of thoughtful panel discussions such as:

– "Inside The New Yorker," featuring Roz Chast and Kate Beaton in conversation.
– "Narrative Logic: Surreal and Obscure," with Marc Bell, Matthew Thurber, and Jim Woodring.
– "The Secret History of Women in Comics" with Jessica Abel, Diane Noomin and others, moderated by Heidi MacDonald.
– "Comics in the Library," a round-table discussion with Sara Duke from the Library of Congress, Charles Brownstein, and representatives of two local library systems.
– "Navigating the Contemporary Publishing Landscape" with Mike Dawson, Meredith Gran and Julia Wertz.
– "Images of the Body" with Robyn Chapman, Jennifer Hayden, Gabby Schulz, and Jen Vaughn.

Additional programming events will include a slideshow presentation by Kim Thompson about the works of French comics giant Jacques Tardi and a hands-on cartooning workshop open to all attendees.

This year's panels and spotlight sessions will be moderated by a bevy of critics, scholars, and other experts including Johanna Draper Carlson, Rob Clough, Craig Fischer, Martha H. Kennedy, Sean T. Collins, Joe McCulloch, and many more.

The complete schedule of programming is available on the SPX web site at http://www.spxpo.com/programming.

SPX Programming Coordinator Bill Kartalopoulos teaches classes about comics at Parsons The New School for Design. He also co-organizes the Brooklyn Comics Graphics Festival, reviews comics for Publishers Weekly, and has curated several comics-related exhibits including "Cartoon Polymaths" at the Sheila C. Johnson Design Center. He recently assisted Art Spiegelman on the production of MetaMaus, a book and DVD about the making of Maus.

SPX will be held Saturday, September 11 from 11AM – 7PM and Sunday, September 12, noon – 6PM at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Convention Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Admission is $10 for a single day and $15 for both days.

That darn Pearls Before Swine

Clean up your @&%$)# comic strip
Stephen Lay, Columbia
Baltimore Sun August 10, 2011
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bs-ed-comic-strip-letter-20110810,0,7490658.story

...a Columbia resident who takes the Sun rather than the Post??

Marc Singer's book on Grant Morrison appears this fall

Howard University professor Marc Singer's book on Grant Morrison appears this fall. Marc's got an insightful and incisive take on comics, so I'm looking forward to this.

Weldon on Morrison's Supergods

In 'Supergods,' Grant Morrison Lovingly Dissects Do-Gooders and Their Derring-Do
by Glen Weldon
National Public Radio's Monkey See blog August 10, 2011
http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/08/10/138931794/in-supergods-grant-morrison-lovingly-dissects-do-gooders-and-their-derring-do