Monday, March 02, 2015
STEAM: Caricatures of Notable People in the World of Science, Technology & the Arts By Mike Caplanis
International Ink: Smallbug Comics, the Avengers and Bone book reviews


Charles Brubaker's minicomics, Smallbug Comics #2 (December 2014) and #5 (March 2015) remind me of the heyday of Harvey Comics. His characters Koko the Witch and her younger brother Jodo would easily fit into Casper the Ghost's world. In #2 Jodo accidentally acquires the Wizard King's crown and proceeds to enjoy all the attention he gets -- until the crown is reported stolen. In #5, Koko and Jodo take an 'enchanted' yet still horrible train ride for a break on their annual day off. Both stories rely heavily on physical humor and sight gags. Brubaker's storytelling is competent -- you can tell what's happening, and the words and text work together (this isn't always true of comics, even from full-time professionals).

Ask a Cat consists of 1-page cartoons from an advice column answered by a cat. They didn't do much for me, but a colleague at lunch laughed out loud at "What should I make for dinner?" and "Meow, meow, meow, meow. Meow?" The appeal of this zine probably depends on your interest in cats on the internet.
I think these minis would be good for teens, especially those interested in DIY comics. Brubaker's websites are www.bakertoons.com and bakertoons.tumblr.com Brubaker also writes on the history of animation at Cartoon Research.
Jeff Smith's Bone: Out from Boneville Tribute Edition (Scholastic Graphix, $15) is a very pretty version of the beginning of the almost classic graphic novel. An insensitive or suspicious reviewer may believe that this edition is an answer to the age-old question of "how to sell yet another version of the book to people who already have it?" I personally have the original comic books, Smith's b&w reprints, Smith's one-volume b&w reprint, and the Scholastic editions with Steve Hamaker's excellent coloring. This 'tribute edition' is for Scholastic's 10th anniversary of publishing the story; the comic books themselves began in the early 1990s. And what's the tribute one may wonder? In addition to a "brand-new illustrated poem by Jeff Smith!" one also gets "minicomics and artwork inspired by Bone, created by 16 bestselling, award-winning artists." The poem features the Rat Creatures and much of the artwork is from Scholastic's stable of cartoonists turned children's book authors. For the record, the sixteen are Kate Beaton, Jeffrey Brown, James Burks, Frank Cammuso, Nathan Fox, Jimmy Gownley, Kazu Kibuishi, Mike Maihack, Scott Morse, Jake Parker, Dav Pilkey, Greg Ruth, Dan Santat, Raina Telgemeier, Doug TenNapel and Craig Thompson. Snark about multiple editions aside, Bone is one of the great comics for youngsters, and this version is a good introduction to the series.

*'International Ink' is what Jonathan Fischer, my first editor at the City Paper, titled the column whenever I did book reviews.
Press Release: Kevin Kallaugher is 2015 Herblock Prize winner

-by Sarah Alex
March 28: Anime at the Freer Gallery

Cherry Blossom Anime: Shinji Aramaki in Person!
Saturday, March 28
Freer, Meyer Auditorium
Both films are followed by a Q&A with director Shinji Aramaki and are cosponsored by Otakorp, Inc.
Harlock: Space Pirate (3D screening!)
11 am
Inspired by a wildly popular 1970s television series, Harlock: Space Pirate is a 3D sci-fi adventure with eye-popping CGI effects.
Appleseed: Alpha
3 pm
A female soldier and her cyborg partner roam a World War III-ravaged New York in search of the legendary city of Olympus—mankind's last hope.
Jim Gutierrez and Undead Presidents

Jim Gutierrez is graphic designer from Texas who's a recent graduate of UDC. One of his professors, the cartoonist Teresa Logan, put me in touch with him and he answered my usual interview questions.
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
Least favorite?

Sunday, March 01, 2015
MFK webcomic featured on Comics Riffs
Rising talent: Maryland-native cartoonist Nilah Magruder ('MFK') 'in shock' winning 1st Dwayne McDuffie Diversity Award
By Michael CavnaWashington Post Comic Riffs blog March 1 2015
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2015/03/01/rising-talent-maryland-native-cartoonist-nilah-magruder-mfk-in-shock-winning-1st-dwayne-mcduffie-diversity-award/
Friday, February 27, 2015
Telnaes on the Charlie Hebdo massacre after-effects
A chilling effect on the cartooning world
Washington Post February 26 2015
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/opinions/wp/2015/02/26/a-chilling-effect-in-the-cartooning-world/
March 13: Animezing: Patema Inverted
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JICC, Embassy of Japan | 1150 18th St., NW | Suite 100 | Washington | DC | 20036 |
March 6: Alt Weekly Comics exhibit by Warren Bernard and Bill K opens in NYC
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Josh Kramer on The Nib
10 Animals That Might Go Bye-Bye In 2015
Written on Feb 27 2015April 9: Nadja Spiegelman and Sergio Garcia Sanchez at Politics and Prose
Georgetown U students engage in "self-criticism" with student political cartoonist Dylan Cutler
Georgetown University Students Censor Political Cartoonist
Maureen Sullivan Contributor
2/25/2015
http://www.forbes.com/sites/maureensullivan/2015/02/25/georgetown-university-students-censor-political-cartoonist/
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Feb 27: Gareth Hinds at Hooray for Books in Old Town
http://www.hooray4books.com/events.htm
J. Robert Deans explains why he is Kickstarting a cow-in-space childrens book

J. Robert Deans may be most familiar to the local community as a comic book store manager, but he's been working on a webcomic, and now has launched a Kickstarter campaign for a cartoony children's book about a cow in space. In the middle of that fundraising, he took the time to answer my usual questions.

What's your favorite thing about DC?
Least favorite?
What monument or museum do like to take visitors to?
How about a favorite local restaurant?
Do you have a website or blog?
Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "#F26"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=1665
On February 26, the possession, use, sharing and growing of marijuana officially becomes legal in the District Of Columbia.
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Mike Flugennock, flugennock at sinkers dot org
Political Cartoons: dubya dubya dubya dot sinkers dot org
March 4: "You Say Graphic Novel, I Say Comic Book" at Arlington Central Library
Wednesday, March 4: You Say Graphic Novel, I Say Comic Book
Should kids be reading graphic novels? What happened to 'real' books? Discuss the merits of avid graphic novel reading.
"Get Book Smart" Series: Library Experts on Children's and Teen Literature–Central
When: | Back to Calendar March 4, 2015 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm | |
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Where: | Central Library 1015 North Quincy Street Arlington,VA 22201 USA | ✔ Add to Calendar |
Cost: | Free | |
Contact: | 703-228-5946 | |
Categories: | Featured Event General Kids | |
Tags: | @ Central featured event @ Central |
Talk To Your Library Experts on Children's and Teen Literature
Each session will include a presentation and social time for discussion and refreshments.
No registration required. Attendees will received a coupon good for ten percent off one item at One More Page Books.