Thursday, August 27, 2009

Heavy Metal animation showings this weekend

Heavy Metal, the animated movie, is showing at AFI Silver in Silver Spring on Friday at 10 and on Saturday at midnight for $10. The number is 301-495-6700.

Tip from the Express.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Weldon on Hiro, Johnny Hiro

I liked this quite a lot too.

See:
Weldon, Glen.  2009.
The Greatest American Hiro.
National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (August 26):
http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2009/08/the_greatest_american_hiro_1.html?sc=nl&cc=msb-20090826

Examiner comics page alters time

It's fishwrap now, but Monday's Examiner printed Tuesday's comic strips. Then they were repeated on Tuesday. No word as to whether the miscreant playing around with time has been disciplined.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Brant Parker used to live in Centreville

Brant Parker used to live in Centreville back when it wasn't a farm of tract houses. See his wife's reminiscences in "‘Wizard of Id’ cartoonist’s wife makes Lynchburg home" By Liz Barry, The Lynchburg News & Advance August 25, 2009.

I remember being a kid 30 years ago and reading the Wizard of Id, B.C. and Crock in those paperback reprints. For a while there the Hart-Parker-Rechin team was unbeatable.

That darn Archie

'Archie' on Bended Knee
Washington Post Saturday, August 22, 2009
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/21/AR2009082103417.html

Regarding the Aug. 19 Style article "Arch Rivals":

Lost in the "Archie" comic's Betty/Veronica debate are the voices of Archie's parents. Has his father's 401(k) been so depleted that the parents are more concerned with their own golden retirement funding than they are with their son's moral compass and his welfare?

Maybe we've overestimated Archie himself these many years. Perhaps, the man is so insecure that he needs a trophy wife for validation.

Archie's decision to propose to Veronica may be revealing of his true character, not out of character.

Materialism and egocentrism vs. altruism and selflessness . . . the battle continues.

DONNA MANZ

Vienna

--

It has been a long time since I read "Archie" comics but, based on what I know, it is hard for me to believe that Archie Andrews would marry Veronica Lodge. We can only hope that he comes to his senses, recants his proposal and marries his one true love -- Jughead.

ROBERT J. TETLOW

Vienna

Bert Hansen's book on mass media images reviewed in today's Times

This article -

 

When a Doctor Is More, and Less, Than a Healer

By ABIGAIL ZUGER, M.D.

August 25, 2009

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/25/health/25book.html

 

Reviews Bert’s new book -

 

PICTURING MEDICAL PROGRESS FROM PASTEUR TO POLIO

A History of Mass Media Images and Popular Attitudes in America. By Bert Hansen. Rutgers University Press. 348 pages. $37.95.

 

-which I thought was excellent. It has a lot of material on cartooning and comic books.

Carol Tyler at SPX

Carol Tyler, who has recently published You'll Never Know Book One " A Good and Decent Man"about her father's World War II experience, will also be appearing at SPX according to Karen Flage.

Monday, August 24, 2009

PR: SMITH magazine announces THE PEKAR PROJECT


Harvey's tackling a new media - should be fun. Also check out Josh Neufeld's A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge from Smith - I bought the hardcover collection last week.


THE PEKAR PROJECT
Harvey Pekar's First Ongoing Webcomics Series
www.smithmag.net/pekarproject

Harvey Pekar's been mining the mundane for magic for more than 30 years in his autobiographical American Splendor comics. Now he has teamed with SMITH and four remarkable artists to create his first ongoing webcomics series—and some of his jazziest work to date. The new stories will appear every other week, with interviews, creator spotlights, and behind-the-scenes goodies, as well as essays and art from Pekar collaborators and inhabitants of the extended Pekarverse.

The Pekar Project seeds were planted when Pekar discovered artist Tara Seibel, a fellow Clevelander. They began collaborating on stories for her blog, Rock City Comix. For The Pekar Project, Pekar has formed a band including editor Jeff Newelt and four artists: Seibel, Joseph Remnant, Rick Parker, and Sean Pryor. Just as Duke Ellington composed pieces with a particular featured soloist in mind, Pekar is tailoring each true-life tale to these artists' individual strengths.

Tara Seibel is the Thelonious Monk of the bunch—wholly different from the rest. Once you lock-in to her avant-garde, design-and-color driven way of doing comics, its like the first time Hendrix starts sounding less like chaos and more like Heaven.

Joseph Remnant was introduced to Pekar by underground comics legend Jay Lynch, and to SMITH by way of his superb work for Arthur Magazine. He's our resident classicist, a chip off the ole' Crumb.

Sean Pryor is a pyrotechnic young artist, who first collaborated with Pekar for Royal Flush magazine, on a boisterous strip that had Pekar reviewing heavy metal CDs.

Rick Parker is a veteran comics master craftsman, with a style at once elegant and mischievous. Parker, a long-time letterer for Marvel Comics, drew the Beavis and Butt-Head Comic Book, currently draws the intro pages for the new Tales From The Crypt comics, and is working on a graphic novel Tales From The Crypt: The Diary of A Stinky Dead Kid.

With The Pekar Project, SMITH has encouraged Harvey to go out there, to go in there, to be abstract, jazzy, esoteric, silly, erudite, and most off all, to have fun. Call it autobiography as poetry, or as art—or call it anything you like. We call ourselves honored to be working with a legend of personal storytelling.

SMITH is proud to present The Pekar Project.

— Jeff Newelt, Comics Editor


Just give Richard Thompson all of your money now

As Richard and Andrews McMeel continue to monetize his brain and drawing hand, they're offering a 2010 Cul de Sac desk calendar... 4 months early!

PR: Cartooning in Conflict, a New Project from the Parents Circle/Families Forum

I was interested to see this spinoff of Cartooning for Peace is due to come to DC at some point.

Cartooning in Conflict


The PCFF, together with Israel's most famous cartoonist 'Kichka' as curator, have created an exhibition of cartoons with a reflection on conflict, its consequences and in many of the works hope and reconciliation. This exhibit, will act as a catalyst for the Parents Circle - Families Forum to bring its message of empathy rather than revenge, of dialog rather than violence to an audience who might otherwise never have been exposed to an alternative to the hatred and impasse in the Middle East. Some of the world's most famous cartoonists, many of whom have won the "Pulitzer" and other prestigious awards have contributed their works to this exhibition which will include round 60 - 100 cartoons.

We created a calendar from the cartoons that displays the Moslem, Jewish, Druze and Christian holidays. We will also create a catalog. All the funds from the sale of the above will go towards the education project in Israeli and Palestinian schools. The Exhibition will open in September 12, 20:00 PM, at the Cartoon Museum in Holon Israel, and we hope Bethlehem or Ramalla and then travel to many European Capitals. We would like to bring it to New York in 2010. It will then go to Washington where we are exploring venues. We would also like to send it to the West Coast as well as Miami. The Exhibition will always be accompanied by a Palestinian and an Israeli member of our group so that lectures on reconciliation will be part of all venues. Being exposed to the cartoons and also to a Palestinian and Israeli who have paid the highest price and yet are willing to speak in one voice for reconciliation, can only benefit any audience.

Famous names like Oliphant, Danziger, Donnelly and Morin from the States, No Rio, Japan, Plantu France, El-Roto Spain, Wilcox Australia are just a small example of the quality of work.

The calendar is a perfect gift for the holiday season!

For more information see
http://www.theparentscircle.com/products.asp
Buy the calendar online!

PR: 'Xoc' #1 nominated for Ignatz

And a local cartoonist is up for one of the awards. Good luck, Matt!


From: Matt Dembicki <threecrowspress@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Aug 24, 2009 at 4:12 PM

Just wanted to drop a quick note that Xoc #1 has been nominated for the 2009 Ignatz Award in the Outstanding Mini-Comic category!
If you haven't the read the book, please do before the Small Press Expo Sept. 26-27 in Bethesda, Md., so you can make an informed decision on the Ignatz ballot! If you're noting going to SPX, just read it for the heck of it!


Thanks for your time and support!
Matt
http://threecrowspress.blogspot.com


Small Press Expo Announces the Ignatz Award Nominees for SPX 2009



Small Press Expo Announces the Ignatz Award Nominees for SPX 2009

For Immediate Release                                        Contact: Warren Bernard
                                                                          Phone: 301-537-4615
                                                                          E-Mail: warren@spxpo.com

Bethesda, Maryland; August 24, 2009 - The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels and alternative political cartoons, is pleased to announce nominees for the thirteenth annual presentation of the Ignatz Awards, a celebration of outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning.

The Ignatz, named after George Herriman's brick-wielding mouse, recognizes exceptional work that challenges popular notions of what comics can achieve, both as an art form and as a means of personal expression. The Ignatz Awards are a festival prize, the first of such in the United States comic book industry.

The nominees for the ballot were determined by a panel of five of the best of today's comic artists, Lilli Carre, Vanessa Davis, Robert Kirby, Scott Mills and Laura Park with the votes cast for the awards by the attendees during SPX. The Ignatz Awards will be presented at the gala Ignatz Awards ceremony held on Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 9:00 PM.

SPX will be held Saturday, September 26 from 11AM to 7PM and Sunday, September 27, noon-6PM at The North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Admission is $8 for a single day and $15 for both days.

For further information on the Ignatz Awards, the nominees or to request an interview, please contact Warren Bernard at warren@spxpo.com.

For more information on the Small Press Expo and the Ignatz Awards, please visit http://www.spxpo.com.

Outstanding Artist
Tim Hensley, Mome (Fantagraphics), Kramer's Ergot #7 (Buenaventura)
Nate Powell, Swallow Me Whole (Top Shelf)
Richard Sala, Delphine (Fantagraphics/Coconino)
Josh Simmons, Mome (Fantagraphics)
Carol Tyler, You'll Never Know, Book One: A Good and Decent Man (Fantagraphics)

Outstanding Anthology or Collection

Abandoned Cars, Tim Lane (Fantagraphics)
Against Pain, Ron Rege Jr.. (Drawn & Quarterly)
Drawn & Quarterly Showcase Book 5, T. Edward Bak, Anneli Furmark, Amanda Vähämäki (Drawn & Quarterly)
Fuzz and Pluck: Splitsville by Ted Stearn (Fantagraphics)
Kramer's Ergot 7, ed. Sammy Harkham (Buenaventura)

Outstanding Graphic Novel

Acme Novelty Library #19, Chris Ware (Drawn & Quarterly)
Disappearance Diary, Hideo Azuma (Fanfare/Potent Mon)
Drop-In, Dave Lapp (Conundrum)
Nicolas, Pascal Girard (Drawn & Quarterly)
You'll Never Know, Book One: A Good and Decent Man, Carol Tyler (Fantagraphics)

Outstanding Story
"The Carnival," Mome #14, Lilli Carre (Fantagraphics)
Disappearance Diary, Hideo Azuma (Fanfare/Potent Mon)
"Seeing Eye Dogs of Mars," Acme Novelty Library #19, Chris Ware (Drawn & Quarterly)
"Untitled," Drawn & Quarterly Showcase Book 5, Amanda Vähämäki (Drawn & Quarterly)
"Willy," Papercutter #10, Damien Jay (Tugboat)

Promising New Talent
T. Edward Bak, Drawn & Quarterly Showcase Book 5 (Drawn & Quarterly)
Colleen Frakes, Woman King (self-published)
Hellen Jo, Jin & Jam #1 (Sparkplug), "Diamond Heights," Papercutter #9 (Tugboat)
Ed Luce, Wuvable Oaf (self-published)
Amanda Vähämäki, Drawn & Quarterly Showcase Book 5 (Drawn & Quarterly)

Outstanding Series
Danny Dutch, David King (Sparkplug)
Delphine, Richard Sala (Fantagraphics/Coconino)
Interiorae, Gabriella Giandelli (Fantagraphics/Coconino)
Reich, Elijah Brubaker (Sparkplug)
Uptight, Jordan Crane (Fantagraphics)

Outstanding Comic
Danny Dutch #1, David King (Sparkplug)
Dead Ringer, Jason T. Miles (La Mano)
Interiorae #3, Gabriella Giandelli (Fantagraphics/Coconino)
Reich #6,  Elijah Brubaker (Sparkplug)
Uptight #3, Jordan Crane (Fantagraphics)

Outstanding Mini-Comic
Claptrap #2, Onsmith
Just So You Know #1, Joey Alison Sayers
Stay Away From Other People, Lisa Hanawalt
Stewbrew, Kelly Froh & Max Clotfelter
Xoc, Matt Dembicki

Outstanding Online Comic

Bodyworld, Dash Shaw (www.dashshaw.com)
Danny Dutch, David King (www.flickr.com/photos/kingkomics/sets/72157603500714748)
Thingpart, Joey Alison Sayers (www.jsayers.com/thingpart/thingpart.html)
Vanessa Davis's comics for Tablet (www.tabletmag.com/author/vdavis/)
Year of the Rat, Cayetano Garza (www.magicinkwell.com)


Quick Reviews for Comics Due 08-26-09


QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 08-26-09
By John Judy
 
BATMAN AND ROBIN #3 by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely.  Professor Pyg gets his.  You don't go up against Batman with a name like Professor Pyg.  Even the Calendar Man feels bad for guys named Professor Pyg.
 
BATMAN: WIDENING GYRE #1 of 6 by Kevin Smith and Walter Flanagan.  They're letting Smith write Batman again.  Be sure to ask your grand-children yet unborn to bring you issue six at the home.
 
BOYS: HEROGASM #4 of 6 by Garth Ennis and John McCrea.  What exactly did Black Noir do to Wee Hughie?  Thumbs down?  Not for kids.
 
DARK AVENGERS #8 by Matt Fraction and Luke Ross.  Something vile, kinky and yet strangely exciting is going on in San Francisco.  Just another day really…
 
DARK X-MEN: THE BEGINNING #3 of 3 by Jason Aaron, Paul Cornell, Humberto Ramos and Jock.  Don't even pretend you don't want to read an X-Men story by the guy who writes SCALPED.  Mutant Madness.  Recommended.
 
DETECTIVE COMICS #856 by Greg Rucka, JH Williams III and Cully Hamner.  The continuing adventures of Batwoman and the Question!  A perfect gift for the tough as nails lesbian crime-fighters in your life!  Recommended.
 
FANTASTIC FOUR #570 by Jonathan Hickman and Dale Eaglesham.  Reed Richards explains it all to you.  New creative team starts here!  Gotta look!
 
FLASH: REBIRTH #4 of 6 by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver.  Barry Allen continues his triumphant but ominous return from Speed Force/Death.
 
GREEN LANTERN #45 by Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke.  Is there anything better than seeing old friends you never thought you'd see again?  Johns' masterpiece continues.  Recommended.
 
HULK #14 by Jeph Loeb and Ian Churchill.  Apparently Red Hulk has his own team now.  It is called "Code Red" and I think the best course for all concerned is to start treating this stuff as taking place in an alternate universe far, far away from anywhere in which "continuity" is a recognized word. 
 
INCREDIBLE HULK #601 by Greg Pak and Ariel Olivetti.  I'm kind of hoping that this whole "Son of Hulk" business ends with the Hulk's son and Wolverine's son hooking up and finding a nice little cabin together in the Negative Zone or Counter-Earth or wherever Spider-Clones go to die.  For pete's sake, did we learn nothing from "Superman Returns?"
 
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #30 by Matthew Sturges, Bill Willingham and Jesus Merino.  The return of Dr. Fate!  Because this team can never be too big!
 
KING CITY #1 written and drawn by Brandon Graham.  Drugs, aliens and super-cats.  Save room for dessert!
 
NEW AVENGERS #56 by Brian Michael Bendis and Stuart Immonen.  Okay, who turned off all the Avengers' powers in the middle of the Big Fight?  Fess up.  We're not leaving here until somebody puts this Deus back in the Machina….
 
PREVIEWS by Marvel and Diamond Comics.  To help you plan what you'll be begging, nagging and guilting your loved ones for this holiday season.  Excelsior!
 
RED CIRCLE: THE SHIELD #1 by J. Michael Straczynski and Scott McDaniel.  JMS completes his relaunch of four classic heroes originally from the ARCHIE line of comics.  And this ain't Riverdale, pal…
 
SCALPED #31 by Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera.  In which crooked, vicious, insane FBI Agent Nitz learns to be careful what he wishes for.  Highly recommended.  Not for kids.
 
SUPERMAN'S PAL JIMMY OLSEN SPECIAL #2 by James Robinson and Bernard Chang.  It's all up to Jimmy Olsen.  Does anything else promise Comic Book Excitement in quite the same way?  Hide your daughters.
 
WEDNESDAY COMICS #8 of 12 by Lotsa People.  Still weekly.  Still mostly awesome.  Recommended.
 
WONDER WOMAN #35 by Gail Simone and Aaron Lopresti.  WW and Black Canary continue with the bad guy spankage!  Great fun!  Recommended!
 


PR: Fantom's New Subscription Policy



Attention Store Update Email List recipients:

If you're a comic book subscriber with Fantom Comics and have not yet transferred your pull list to Comixology.com, please do so ASAP!

This Wednesday, August 26th will be the last day we pull your books from the lists we have on file. On Thursday we will be deleting every single book on subscription and using only the Comixology lists.

Visit our Subscription Policy page for instructions on how to sign up with Comixology. It's a huge, colossal improvement over our current method of tracking subs, and a fun website on top of that. So please sign up and enjoy!

PS: If you'd like us to email you your current pull list - or have any questions at all about the new policy - just email your request to info@fantomcomics.com. And here's the link to the August Diamond Previews (deadline for guaranteed August books is this Friday at 11:59pm).





Union Station - 50 Massachusetts Avenue NE | Washington, DC 20002 | 202-216-9478
www.fantomcomics.com



Aug 24: Batman Returns 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

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, August 23, 2009

Death Note 2: The Last Name at JICC

Death Note 2: The Last Name to be screened at the Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan.

DC Anime Club in collaboration with Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan Present screen Death Note 2: The Last Name on August 28, 2009 6:30 pm as part of inaugural showing for a new film series based on both Anime (Japanese Animation) and Manga ( Japanese Comics).

Yagami Light, a young man who resents the crime and corruption in the world. His life undergoes a drastic change when he discovers a mysterious notebook, known as the "Death Note", lying on the ground. The Death Note's instructions claim that if a person's name is written within it while picturing that person's face, that person shall die. Light is initially skeptical of the notebook's authenticity, but after experimenting with it, he realizes that the Death Note is real. After meeting with the previous owner of the Death Note, a shinigami named Ryuk, Light seeks to become "the God of the New World" by passing his judgement on those he deems to be evil or who get in his way.

Soon, the number of inexplicable deaths of reported criminals catches the attention of the National Police Agency and a mysterious detective known only as "L". L quickly learns that the serial killer, dubbed by the public as "Kira" (キラ ?, derived from the Japanese pronunciation of the word "killer"), is located in Japan. L also concludes that Kira can kill people without laying a finger on them. Light realizes that L will be his greatest nemesis, and a game of psychological cat and mouse between the two begins.

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

RSVP to jiccrsvpsummer09@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.

Post on Movies vs Comic Books

This is from Slate, but the author is uncredited - "America Saw the Movies But Missed the Books: Comic Publishers Are Losing Out," Washington Post Sunday, August 23, 2009

Post calls kettle black

The Washington Post has again editorialized that somebody who isn't them should be publishing the Danish Islam cartoons - in this case Yale. As a letter writer pointed out in 2008, this would have more force if the Post hadn't refused to publish the cartoons when they were reporting on the story.

SPX brings Gahan Wilson

I ran into Karon Flage this weekend and she said that SPX is going to have the great cartoonist Gahan Wilson appear! Whoo-hoo! Click through that link for more details.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

ACT-I-VATE Primer Coming in October from IDW

Jim Dougan writes in to pass along some information about his strip's print appearance:

Have you heard about the ACT-I-VATE Primer?  It's a hardcover collection of stories from the A-I-V creators (including Dean Haspiel, Nick Bertozzi, Roger Langridge, Molly Crabapple, Simon Fraser, Tim Hamilton, etc. etc.) coming in October from IDW.  Hyeondo Park and I have a new SAM & LILAH story in there, and all of the stories in the book are exclusive (that is, they don't appear on the http://www.activatecomix.com website). It will make its official debut at the Baltimore Comicon, and will be in stores either immediately before the show or immediately thereafter (depending on Diamond's shipping schedule).  Oh, and it's got an introduction by Warren Ellis.

The Diamond code is AUG090968.

You can see a preview of the book, which includes the covers and one page from each story, here:

http://www.act-i-vate.com/88-1-1.comic

This is the official IDW announcement:

http://www.idwpublishing.com/news/article/767/

And here are various articles/interviews with Dean (who edited the book) and various other contributors:

Dean Haspiel on the ACT-I-VATE Primer at CBR:
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22511

LA Times: Dean Haspiel and Billy Dogma's broken heart
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2009/08/deal-haspiel-.html

CBR: ACT-I-VATE Artists on IDW's "Primer"
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22559