Sunday, May 24, 2009

May 24: fourth annual Counter Culture Fest

The D.C. Conspiracy is hosting its fourth annual Counter Culture Fest on Sunday, May 24, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Soundry in Vienna,Va. The event is FREE. For a list of exhibitors (comics, zines, T-shirts, original art, etc.), workshops, screenprinting, etc.) and entertainment (music, comedy, etc.), visit www.dcconspiracy.com.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

OT: Your Brain on Latino Comics book available

The author, Frederick Aldama, has written in (noting that we mentioned his talk at OSU in 2007 which I appear to have missed, darn it). His new book Your Brain on Latino Comics is out and he's started a blog about it as well. An interview can be found at "OSU professor shares story of Latino comics," Steve Skok, OSU's The Lantern 5/21/09.

While mainstream superhero comics don't exactly leap to mind when one thinks Latino comics, one of the absolute best comic books is the Hernandez Brothers' Love & Rockets.

New comics day is Thursday, May 28th this week

Due to Monday's Memorial Day holiday, new comics will be on sale on Thursday this week.

Petey's grand history of civilization project

Today's Cul de Sac really tickled my funny bone - must be the museum professional in me. Or I may just be a geek.

OT: Saturday Night Live writes Spider-man

Many, many years ago, Marvel Team-Up was a fun book that matched Spider-Man with another hero. Once that was the original cast of Saturday Night Live, and I bought that sucker when it was new. Now a couple of SNL writers are returning the favor - "Live From New York, Writers for Spider-Man," By GEORGE GENE GUSTINES, New York Times May 23, 2009.

D.C. Conspiracy's Counter Culture Fest IV featured in today's Post


See "Step Right Up to Counter Culture," By Lavanya Ramanathan, Washington Post Saturday, May 23, 2009. Since it's not in a bar, it's kid-friendly this year and I'll probably bring my daughter. If anyone's going, chime in below and perhaps we can set a time to meet and not have a beer.

Lois Lane dies

Not in the comic books, although I'm sure it's only a matter of time until that "brilliant" idea occurs to someone. No, this is Joan Alexander of the radio Superman, whose daughter lives in DC.

See "Joan A. Stanton, Radio Voice of Lois Lane, Dies at 94," , By BRUCE WEBER, New York Times May 23, 2009 and "1940s Radio Actress Portrayed Lois Lane," By Adam Bernstein, Washington Post Staff Writer, Saturday, May 23, 2009

Friday, May 22, 2009

New comic: 'Dr. Dremo's Taphouse of Tall Talls and Short Stories: The Horrors of War'


Matt Dembicki would like you to know:

The D.C. Conspiracy (www.dcconspiracy.com) premieres 'Dr. Dremo's Taphouse of Tall Talls and Short Stories: The Horrors of War,' it's latest themed-anthology (war) this Sunday, May 24, at the D.C. Conspiracy's Counter Culture Fest IV at the Soundry (www.soundry.net) in Vienna, Va.

The 72-page B&W book ($8) features a cover by Scott White and stories by Matt Dembicki, Evan Keeling, Andrew Cohen, Jason Rodriguez, Frank Naif and more!

A Scooby-Doo play is not appearing in Frederick

But tonight and tomorrow, Spooky Dog and the Teen-Age Gang Mysteries is, before coming to DC - See "'Spooky Dog' is NOT the Saturday morning cartoon you remember ... or is it?" By Lauren LaRocca, Frederick News-Post May 21, 2009.

That darn Berge!

I apologize for insensitive cartoon
Washington Blade (May 22 2009): 19

To the Editors:
Re: “Disappointed by insensitive cartoon mocking blindness” (letter to the editor by Eric Peterson, May 1)

In response to the letter by Eric Petersen, I am writing to apologize for my recent cartoon about New York Gov. David Paterson. In drawing the cartoon, I had worried that some readers might perceive it as a slam against the governor’s blindness, rather than, as I was intending, a comment on LGBT leaders’ lack of readiness when he brought marriage rights issues to the fore.

Please accept my explanation that while the cartoon took Gov. Paterson’s blindness as a given condition, I in no way wanted readers to think that the cartoon was attacking him for it. I appreciate Gov. Paterson’s extraordinary courage and leadership on this issue, and I hope the drive for marriage equality in New York proves successful.

I thank Mr. Petersen for his thoughtful response to the cartoon, and I sincerely apologize.

PAUL BERGE
Sturtevant, Wisc.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

That darn Pett!

Let the Teenagers Alone
Washington Post Saturday, May 16, 2009

In republishing Joel Pett's political cartoon in the May 9 Drawing Board, you have taken your newspaper to a new low.

It is one thing for you to continue your efforts to destroy Sarah Palin, a political figure, but to do so by stomping on the reputation of a teenage girl was despicable.

Depicting Bristol Palin as a "guest speaker" at the "Church of Abstinence" was a contemptible effort to achieve your goals at any cost.

-- Vincent J. Cucuzzella
Ellicott City

Comic Riffs interviews itself

Cavna on Cavna - The Interview: 'Comic Riffs' Blogger Michael Cavna

NPR's Weldon asks, "Who's the Longest-Running Fictional Character Ever?"

See "Question: Who's the Longest-Running Fictional Character Ever?" by Glen Weldon, National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (May 20 2009) for his answer - it's a comic book hero. I don't think I quite agree, but I'm not sure why. There's 51 comments so other people may feel the same.

May 29: 5 Centimeters per Second and Voices of a Distant Star

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Chris Wanamaker, (202) 262 2083 president@dcanimeclub.org


5 Centimeters per Second and Voices of a Distant Star
to be screened at Japan Information and Culture Center.

The Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan in collaboration with DC Anime Club Present 5 Centimeters per Second and Voices of a Distant Star, Friday May 29, 2009 6:30 pm as part of inaugural showing for a film series based on both Anime (Japanese Animation) and Manga ( Japanese Comics).

5 Centimeters per second is a 2007 Japanese animated feature film by Makoto Shinkai. The film was finished on January 22, 2007. The first part of the film was debuted on Yahoo! Japan as streaming video to Yahoo! Premium members from 16 February to 19 February 2007. On March 3, 2007, the full length featured film had its theatrical premiere at Cinema Rise in Shibuya, Tokyo. The film consists of three segments: Cherry Blossom (桜花抄 ,Ōkashō?), Cosmonaut (コスモナウト ,Kosumonauto?), and 5 Centimeters per Second (秒速5センチメートル ,Byōsoku 5 Senchimētoru?), totaling about an hour of runtime. As in Shinkai's previous works, Tenmon composes for this film's soundtrack. The DVD was released on 19 July 2007. A novel of 5 Centimeters Per Second is put on the market in Japan[1] It included uncollection story in the animation version.

Voices of a Distant Star is a Japanese anime OVA by Makoto Shinkai. It chronicles a long-distance relationship between a teenage couple who communicate by sending emails via their mobile phones across interstellar space. It was originally released to DVD on February 2, 2002, and has since been broadcast across Japan on the anime satellite television network, Animax.

This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required.

RSVP to jiccrsvpspring08@embjapan.org.

Seating is limited and granted on a first come, first served basis.

For more information please visit the Japanese Information and Culture Center website at http://www.us.embjapan.go.jp/jicc/ or visit the DC Anime Club website at http://dcanimeclub.org.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Minicomic review - Sam and Lilah

Jim Dougan and Molly Lawless were at Fantom Comics for Free Comic Book Day and Jim passed along his ashcan Sam and Lilah. He wouldn't sell it to me, so I told him I'd review it and he passed it over. Jim's the writer and Hyeondo Park is the artist. The story is actually a webcomic on Act-I-Vate.com and this mini is the first chapter.

I liked it a lot. Jim's retelling a version of Samson and Delilah as a romantic comedy starts off sweetly. Park's manga-influenced art is excellent, with an interesting color palette. Both main characters are appealing, and their decision to try to date, in spite of... ok, it's a gypsy curse, but still... makes me want to read more. You can read both chapters online and Jim's says they're putting together a large-size collection so you can see the art better. The second chapter takes place during a DC United Soccer game at RFK Stadium here in DC too.

Another mini I picked up is How I Lost My S#?! at the Apple Store by Jim and Molly Lawless. I really liked this autobiographical comic about Jim's problems with installing an Airport Wireless Card in a Mac. You should be able to pick it up at www.chemsetcomics.com For the record, after you read the story - I believe Jim was in the right and Apple should be ashamed.

May 24: fourth annual Counter Culture Fest

The D.C. Conspiracy is hosting its fourth annual Counter Culture Fest on Sunday, May 24, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Soundry in Vienna,Va. The event is FREE. For a list of exhibitors (comics, zines, T-shirts, original art, etc.), workshops, screenprinting, etc.) and entertainment (music, comedy, etc.), visit www.dcconspiracy.com.

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 05-20-09

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 05-20-09
By John Judy


AGENTS OF ATLAS #5 by Jeff Parker and Carlo Pagulayan. The AoA vs. the New Avengers (the ones with Wolverine). Big Fight!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #594 by Mark Waid, Barry Kitson and Mike McKone. Spidey’s non-stop campaign is catching up with him and so is New York Mayor J. Jonah Jameson!

BATMAN: BATTLE FOR THE COWL #3 of 3 by Tony Daniel and Sandu Florea. One of these goofballs gets to be Batman until Bruce comes back from the dead. Oops, did I give something away?

BOYS: HEROGASM #1 by Garth Ennis and John McCrea. The first-ever BOYS spin-off series, re-uniting Ennis with HITMAN co-creator John McCrea! What Secret, Final Infinite War-Crisis could be so earth-shaking that it requires every supe on the planet to gather for one common cause? And will it show up on YouTube? The trademark Ennis black humor is in full effect as the title suggests so this one is Not For Kids. Recommended anyway.

CAPTAIN AMERICA #50 by Ed Brubaker and Luke Ross. It’s Bucky America’s birthday! “Eighty-something years young!” Recommended.

EX MACHINA #42 by Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris. Pushing the boundaries of what a superhero comic can be, Vaughan and Harris take a standard-issue guy who can talk to machines and build jetpacks and make him do something truly superhuman: Raising taxes on Americans and not lying or apologizing for it! “The Galactus Trilogy” now seems tame… Highly recommended.

FANTASTIC FOUR #566 by Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch. The gang has to fight the guys who taught Dr. Doom how to be a creep! And you thought he was self-taught…

FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH: DANCE #1 of 6 by Joe Casey ChrisCross. Japan’s “Super Young Team” follow up on their distracting and meaningless appearance in FINAL CRISIS with… a little soft-shoe, a little rumba, maybe some ballroom… I hear one of them does “The Robot” really well because he is one! A Must-Have for both of you FINAL CRISIS completists out there!

GOON, VOL. 7: PLACE OF HEARTACHE AND GRIEF SC written and drawn by Eric Powell. “We love Oprah droppings!” Almost as much as we love THE GOON and Eric Powell. Collecting issues 19-23, “The Return of Labrazio!” Highly recommended.

HELLBLAZER #255 by Peter Milligan and Goran Sudzuka. Fever. Delirium. Constantine appears to have Swine Flu. Awesome cover by Lee Bermejo.

HULK #12 by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness. The Defenders versus the Offenders (seriously) fight comes to an end with “a twist ending you will never see coming!” Most likely because it will make no sense whatsoever! The bad Hulk is red!

MARVEL MYSTERY COMICS 70th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL #1 by Tom DeFalco and Chris Burnham. A ten-page golden-age reprint plus an all-new story of the Human Torch, Toro, Namor, the Angel and…. The Ferret? Is that what they were calling Wolverine back then? Gotta look!

THUNDERBOLTS #132 by Andy Diggle and Roberto De La Torre. The T-Bolts recruit Mr. X! No, not the bald, indy guy with the glasses, the other one, the one who fought Wolverine.

UNCANNY X-MEN #510 by Matt Fraction and Greg Land. Big fight! “You won’t believe the ferocity! No one is safe!” Bad day to be wearing a red shirt to class!

WOLVERINE: WEAPON X #2 by Jason Aaron and Ron Garney. The Wolvie Dream Team of Aaron and Garney are back! They’re the ones who make the Wolverine comics that don’t suck! Read it! Please. Highly recommended.

www.johnjudy.net

Comic Riffs interviewed animator Robert Smigel

See "The Interview: 'SNL' Writer/Animator Robert Smigel," By Michael Cavna, May 15, 2009.

May 18: Spider-Man 3 in Crystal City

Crystal Screen - Superheroes

Join the Crystal City BID for 21 weeks of Superheros! On Monday nights from May 4, 2009-September 21, 2009, Crystal City will be protected by Batman, Spiderman, Superman, and many others. Each night will also have special giveaways, sponsors, and other activities.

Date(s):
May 4, 2009 - September 21, 2009

Location:
18th and Bell Street - Courtyard Across from Crystal City Metro Station & Marriott Hotel

Event Fee:
Free

Hours:
Movies begin at sundown

Description:
Join the Crystal City BID for 21 weeks of Superheros! On Monday nights from May 4, 2009-September 21, 2009, Crystal City will be protected by Batman, Spiderman, Superman, and many others. Each night will also have special giveaways, sponsors, and other activities. Check back here for more information.

CRYSTAL KID BONUS: Since it gets dark later in the summer and movies often start past bedtime, the BID has partnered with Crystal City Sports Pub to rebroadcast each movie at 3:30 PM on the 3rd Floor of CCSP on the Wednesday following the outdoor showing, starting May 6. Bring your kids and a blanket and enjoy the fabulous surround network of TVs.

Festival Rules: Patrons can bring their own picnics as long as they abide by city and festival rules. Low-backed chairs and blankets are allowed, but grills, umbrellas, and pets are prohibited.


Schedule

May 18, 2009 - Spider-Man 3
May 20, 2009 - Spider-Man 3 - at CCSP
May 25, 2009 - The Hulk
May 27, 2009 - The Hulk - at CCSP
June 1, 2009 - Hulk 2: The Incredible Hulk
June 3, 2009 - Hulk 2: The Incredible Hulk - at CCSP
June 8, 2009 - Superman: The Superman Movie
June 10, 2009 - Superman: The Superman Movie - at CCSP
June 15, 2009 - Superman 2
June 17, 2009 - Superman 2 - at CCSP
June 22, 2009 - Superman 3: Superman vs. Superman
June 24, 2009 - Superman 3: Superman vs. Superman - at CCSP
June 29, 2009 - Superman 4: The Quest for Peace
June 31, 2009 - Superman 4: The Quest for Peace - at CCSP
July 6, 2009 - Superman 5: Superman Returns
July 8, 2009 - Superman 5: Superman Returns - at CCSP
July 13, 2009 - X-Men
July 15, 2009 - X-Men - at CCSP
July 20, 2009 - X2
July 22, 2009 - X2 - at CCSP
July 27, 2009 - X-Men: The Last Stand
July 29, 2009 - X-Men: The Last Stand - at CCSP
August 3, 2009 - Fantastic Four
August 5, 2009 - Fantastic Four - at CCSP
August 10, 2009 - Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
August 12, 2009 - Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer - at CCSP
August 17, 2009 - Batman
August 19, 2009 - Batman - at CCSP
August 24, 2009 - Batman Returns
August 26, 2009 - Batman Returns - at CCSP
August 31, 2009 - Batman Forever
September 2, 2009 - Batman Forever - at CCSP
September 7, 2009 - Batman & Robin
September 9, 2009 - Batman & Robin - at CCSP
September 14, 2009 - Batman Begins
September 16, 2009 - Batman Begins - at CCSP
September 21, 2009 - Batman: The Dark Knight
September 23, 2009 - Batman: The Dark Knight - at CCSP

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Minicomics review: John Dimes' Lo, the Abusive Undertones!!!!

John Dimes sent me his two minicomics, Lo, the Abusive Undertones!!!!, a few weeks ago. John's minis hark back to the DIY age of photocopying that's starting to fade in the age of webcomics. The two volumes he has out now tell the beginnings of a story of anthropomorphic birds (they dress in human clothes, and act human, etc, etc). In vol. 1, Leonard and his girlfriend Shelly trade jibes about marriage and commitment, until Leonard says he'll take Shelly to meet his Mom and the mini ends there. John's art is competent - you can tell what's happening with no trouble - but feels as though he hasn't completely settled into his mature style yet. Vol. 2 picks up with Shelly and Mom meeting. Mom's got a mean streak - when talking to a friend on the phone about Shelly, Mom noted, "She complained about persistent back pain. I simply suggested that she should 'stay off of it sometimes,' and she got offended." Badda-bum. The two trade insults through most of the comic and by the end, John implies they'll be fast friends. I found it amusing to be honest, although some of the jokes can be a bit ribald.

To find these and other minis, John's website is www.johndimes.com