Truitt on final Pilot Season

'Pilot Season' Week 8: The science of 'Everything'
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY November 29 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2011-11-29/Theory-of-Everything-comic-book/51476704/1

City Paper catches upcoming DC Simpson's fest

D.C. Arts Commission Grants Are Totally Funding Simpsons Events and Tweed Rides by Jonathan L. Fischer and Benjamin R. Freed on Nov. 29, 2011

My editor over there is on top of things that I'm not, noting a grant of:

$5,000 for Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, which plans to host a series of "multidisciplinary arts experiences which examine and celebrate THE SIMPSONS and its impact on American pop-culture psyche"—this in conjunction with Anne Washburn's dystopian Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play.

Comic Riffs on editorial cartooning

THE 'STATE' OF EDITORIAL CARTOONING: As Colorado Pulitzer winner goes today, so goes the nation?
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog November 29 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/the-state-of-editorial-cartooning-as-colorado-pulitzer-winner-goes-today-so-goes-the-nation/2011/11/28/gIQAoJby8N_blog.html#pagebreak

Truitt on Fantastic Four

Fantastic Four keep the family together for 50 years
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY November 28 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2011-11-28/fantastic-four/51445090/1

Comic Riffs on Mike Keefe's retirement

'RIFFS PICKS OF THE WEEK: 2011 Pulitzer winner Mike Keefe calls it quits; and five cartoons for your holiday cheers
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog November 26 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/riffs-picks-of-the-week-2011-pulitzer-winner-calls-it-quits-and-five-cartoons-for-your-holiday-cheers/2011/11/25/gIQAt50qxN_blog.html

Comicsgirl reports on Haspiel donation of minicomics to the Library of Congress

Ok, I'm not sure what this tumbler is (as opposed to her regular blog), but Comicsgirl reports on Dean Haspiel's excellent donation of minicomics to the Library of Congress.

Nov 29: Bully political cartoons at Library of Congress

Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave. SE
Washington DC 20540


November 7, 2011

Political Cartoon Biography of Theodore Roosevelt Is Subject of Discussion

"Bully!" Chronicles Life and Times of 26th President

Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) was a favorite subject of political cartoonists, due in large part to his outsize personality, his exploits as one of the leaders of the Rough Riders and, of course, his career as 26th president.

Roosevelt's biography as told through these political cartoons forms the basis of "Bully!: The Life and Times of Theodore Roosevelt" (Regnery, 2011) by Rick Marschall. Marschall's book is the subject of a discussion and signing on Tuesday, Nov. 29, at 11:30 a.m. in Dining Room A, located on the sixth floor of the James Madison Building, 101 Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, D.C. This event is part of the Books & Beyond author series of the Center for the Book and is co-sponsored with the Library's Prints and Photographs Division. It is free and open to the public; no tickets are requited.

"Bully!" features more than 250 full-color illustrations, many of them from the collections of the Library. According to Marschall, few people have influenced American history as Roosevelt did. A cowboy, soldier and prolific author, he vaulted to the top of American politics. His physical energy, great intelligence and larger-than-life personality made him not only a beloved leader but also the subject of countless political cartoons.

Marschall is the author of more than 65 books, is a former political cartoonist and has written extensively on politics, history and cartoons. He has taught at Rutgers University and the School of Visual Arts in New York City.

Marschall's book is also the subject of a discussion on Facebook. The new Books & Beyond Book Club is available at www.facebook.com/booksandbeyond/. Here readers can discuss books, the authors of which have appeared or will appear in this series. The site also offers links to webcasts of these events and asks readers to talk about what they have seen and heard.

Since its creation by Congress in 1977 to "stimulate public interest in books and reading," the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress (www.Read.gov/cfb/) has become a major national force for reading and literacy promotion. A public-private partnership, it sponsors educational programs that reach readers of all ages, nationally and internationally. The center provides leadership for affiliated state centers for the book and nonprofit reading-promotion partners and plays a key role in the Library's annual National Book Festival. It also oversees the Library's Read.gov website and administers the Library's Young Readers Center.

# # #

PR 11-219
11/7/11
ISSN 0731-3527

Truitt on X-Men

X-Men book gets an 'Astonishing' new writer
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY November 22 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2011-11-22/Astonishing-X-Men-comic-series-new-writer/51352884/1

Maryland cartoonist Jose Villarrubia interviewed by Greek site

INTERVIEW CORNER #69: Jose Villarrubia
by Thomas Papadimitropoulos  November 22nd, 2011
http://www.comicdom.gr/2011/11/22/interview-corner-69-jose-villarrubia/

Page down when you open it and the Q&A is in English.

Fwd: PR--Sunday, Dec 4--Capicons Comic Book and Pop Culture Con

PR--Sunday, Dec 4--Capicons Comic Book and Pop Culture Con

Capicons Comic Book & Pop Culture Con
Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011
10 am - 3 pm
Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire Hall, 

2148 Gallows Rd, Dunn Loring, Virginia
Admission $3 - Kids FREE!

Open to the public from 10 am - 3 pm. Buy, sell & trade: Gold, Silver,
Bronze Age comics; Indie & Modern comics, Publishers & Creators, TV &
Movie Collectibles. Non-sport cards; Videos & DVDs; Horror/Sci-Fi;
figures, toys; Star Wars & Star Trek memorabilia; original artwork,
posters and other comic-related collectibles.

FEATURING:
* John Dimes, author, artist, singer, actor and award-winning comedian
(a.k.a Horror Host Dr. Sarcofiguy from the Spooky Movie Show)
* Tim Dzon, Artist
* Chris Flick, Capes N Babes webcomic
* Bill McKay
* Michael Munshaw
* Dan Nokes, 21st Century Sandshark Studios
* Pete Tapang, Artist (featured in Mystique Magazine, FHM, Artcore
Magazine, V.A.M.P, Glamourcon)
* Dave Wilson, Model Maker Extraordinaire
* Ulysses E. Campbell from "Fantastic Forum" & Larry Reclusado of "The
NOVA Comic Book Show"
* Paul Gyurcsanszky will host a demo of Osiris Sanction: a new L.A.R.P.
created by Ford Ivey! "It's not your kid's laser tag."
...and MORE!!

Directions to DLVFRD: 
Take I-495 (DC/Capital Beltway) to Exit 47A
(Rt. 7 West). Go 1/2 Mile, Left on Gallows Rd. 1 mile to 2148 Gallows Rd

Capicons
PO Box 2488
Merrifield, VA 22116
http://capicons.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Capicons-Comic-Book-Pop-Culture-Con/221236176794#!/pages/Capicons-Comic-Book-Pop-Culture-Con/221236176794

KAL's Economist 2012 Wall Calendar available now

I just heard from famed Baltimore cartoonist Kal, and his KAL's Economist 2012 Wall Calendar is available now. I've been a big fan of these in previous years, as Kal draws a new cartoon for each month.

Post reviews ‘Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt’ book and ‘Elf on the Shelf cartoon

Caroline Preston's 'Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt': Lush jitterbug through '20s
By Steven Moore,
Washington Post November 25, 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/caroline-prestons-scrapbook-of-frankie-pratt-lush-jitterbug-through-20s/2011/09/07/gIQA0HAdtN_story.html

CBS's 'Elf on the Shelf': Unwarranted Christmas surveillance techniques
By Hank Stuever,
Washington Post November 25 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/cbss-elf-on-the-shelf-unwarranted-christmas-surveillance-techniques/2011/11/23/gIQApCSTtN_story.html

Truitt on Dorkin's Milk and Cheese collection

Evan Dorkin's 'Milk and Cheese' brings sour satisfaction
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY November 23 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2011-11-23/Milk-and-Cheese-comics-collection/51373686/1

Richard Thompson blurbs Rip Haywire

I just read my copy of Dan Thompson's graphic novel Rip Haywire and the Curse Of Tangaroa! (based on his comic strip which doesn't run in the Post) and was surprised to see local cartoonist Richard Thompson quoted on the back:

"Derring-do is in short supply on the comics pages these days and square-jawed heroes are scarce. I'm glad we have Rip Haywire, who's square jaw almost overwhelms his head, and
that he's got the luscious Cobra and the bewildered TNT with him. In the Curse of Tangaroa, their adventures are far-flung and far-fetched, with weird flashbacks that lurch into other
strips entirely, including one like Peanuts but with explosions. Dan Thompson's loving satire of the classic adventure strip is a demented delight."
—Richard Thompson ( Cul De Sac, and Richard's Poor Almanac )

Post reviews local author's Drawing Power book

Book review: 'Drawing Power: A Compendium of Cartoon Advertising'

By Michael Taube, 

Washington Post November 23 2011

http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/book-review-drawing-power-a-compendium-of-cartoon-advertising/2011/10/03/gIQAcvO5lN_story.html

A review of Rick Marschall and Warren Bernard's excellent book "Drawing Power"- Marschall will be speaking about the book next Tuesday morning at the Library of Congress. I'll bet Warren will be there too.

Wash Post on Arthur Christmas and Hugo

Arthur Christmas is by my favorite animation firm, Aardman -

An unexpected holiday gift
By Michael O'Sullivan
Washington Post Nov. 23, 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/arthur-christmas,1210229/critic-review.html

Hugo is based on the sort-of graphic novel by Brian Selznick, The Invention of Hugo Cabret-

3D becomes art in Scorsese's hands
By Ann Hornaday
Washington Post Nov. 23, 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/hugo,1210235/critic-review.html

Meet a formerly local collector

Charlie Roberts got his start in Alexandria, VA.

ORIGIN ISSUE: Charlie Roberts
November 23 2011
http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=260&ai=115427

Weldon's Thanksgiving comic picks

I'm not feeling a lot of love for this list - Pogo's great, but I would have picked Carl Barks' Duck stories over that.

Still More Tryptophan-tastic Tomes To See You Through Your Turkey Coma
by Glen Weldon
National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (November 23, 2011): http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/11/23/142682349/still-more-tryptophan-tastic-tomes-to-see-you-through-your-turkey-coma

New Buzzboy PR

Can Buzzboy Conquer the "Dynamic Trio" of iTunes, the Internet, and Print Publishing?

Cartoonist John Gallagher announced the release of his graphic novel, Buzzboy: Sidekicks Rule, through three publishers in three different formats. The humorous story of a tween super-sidekick, Buzzboy is being released as a new webcomic at Keenspot.com, in print through through Red Giant Entertainment, and as a digital comic in Gallagher's own "Comics Jukebox " iTunes app.

 

Buzzboy,  a kid-friendly tale of a milkshake loving, diner dwelling sidekick, who must save the world when all the adult heroes disappear,  was created as an answer to the dark, gritty comics that seem to dominate the comics marketplace. "I've always focused on creating comics that everyone can enjoy," said Gallagher, "and this lets me reach out to people other than the average comic book fan—essentially, the 200 million people who aren't going into comics shops." Comic books are an integral part of pop culture, but have had trouble at times attracting new fans, especially young readers.

 

"As the father of three kids," says Gallagher, "I found that my children were just as likely to read on an iPad as play a game or watch a show. That's why an app is part of the plan." Comics Jukebox, created with fellow cartoonist and friend Steve Conley, offers free and affordable kid-friendly comics on the iPad, including Buzzboy and other all-ages comics. "Jukebox" has already been downloaded thousands of times, and a version for the Android market is in the works, and they are currently prepping for the e-book market.

 

Although some say print sales could be hurt by the web and digital releases, Gallagher sees it as all part of a new, organic relationship across all media. "I read Calvin and Hobbes every day in the newspaper when it was originally ran, but that didn't stop me from purchasing collections of the comics in the bookstore," said Gallagher. "I don't think today's audience cares where the story is told, be it on the web, in a book, or on the side of a building—as long as it is where they want to read it."

 

Buzzboy: Sidekicks Rule is is available to read on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays at http://buzzboy.keenspot.com, on iTunes through Comics Jukebox, and is headed to all comics shops, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.com in early December.

John Gallagher

703.989.3068

john@sky-dog.com

www.sky-dog.com

www.skydogcomics.com

Two, no, three, new cartoonist sites this evening

I ran across Rebecca Moretti (nee Simms) and Chris Mararac at the DC Conspiracy table at Anime USA this past weekend. Simms-Moretti was selling two collections of her webcomic, and Mararac had large prints of his cartoon artwork.

Simms does the webcomic Girl Ninja, and is a former local. Mararac's site is www.uppercut-justice.com

I also saw the people behind the Intervention con, and here's a link to Onezumi Hartstein's webcomic Stupid & Insane Defenders Against Chaos.