Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Kal, speaking in Baltimore July 15, and his new exhibits

Kal writes in, and note that he's speaking in Baltimore TOMORROW,


Friends and colleagues

I wanted to share some recent news that I hope you will find of interest.

A large exhibition of KAL cartoons and animation is currently set to be on display in Seoul, South Korea at SICAF (Seoul International Cartoon and Animation Festival) July 21-25. The festival is very well attended with over 300,000 cartoon enthusiasts expected to visit over the 5 day event. Photos from the exhibit will be available later this month at www.Kaltoons.com.

Another exhibition of my cartoons is set to open this Fall at the Center for The Arts, Jackson Hole, Wyoming. "Drawn From The Economist: The editorial art of KAL" will run from September 10 to October 24. The show will include more than 40 cartoons, covers and illustrations from my 33 year career with The Economist.

This Thursday, July 15, I will a featured speaker at the opening of "Betascape", Baltimore's newest showcase of technology and Art. This inaugural event will take place at the WindUp Space, 12 West North Avenue, Baltimore. It starts at 7PM and admission is free. For more info go to: http://betascape.org/

Best

Kal
Kevin Kallaugher
The KAL iPhone App is now available at the iTunes store.


Trickster reviewed by Good Comics for Kids blog

Review: Trickster
by Katherine Dacey
School Library Journal's Good Comics for Kids July 14th, 2010

America's Next Great Cartoonist local paper feature

Zachary Snyder is featured here -

Willowbrook cartoonist needs your vote
Staten Island Advance July 13, 2010

Harvey Pekar on Australian radio

I actually got a phone call from Australia last night - and I'm old enough to find that technologically marvelous and cool - for quotes for this story:

American Splendour's Harvey Pekar dies
Thea Dikeos reported this story on Wednesday, July 14, 2010
ABC News' PM
http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2010/s2953704.htm
http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/news/audio/pm/201007/20100714-pm11-splendour.mp3

I'm going to keep mulling over that spontaneous Steinbeck comparison as I think there's something to it. When I mentioned Hemingway and Steinbeck, I initially meant Pekar was a quintessentially American writer, but I think he might have some real thematic links to Steinbeck.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Cul de Sac and Act-I-Vate up for Harvey Awards

The Harvey Awards have 2 local candidates - Cul de Sac by Richard Thompson for best syndicated strip and Act-I-Vate featuring local writer Jim Dougan for best anthology.

More on Harvey Pekar

It sounds like Harvey just wore out last night.

I'm sure tributes and obituaries will be popping up all over this week. I know the Washington Post print edition should have one tomorrow. Today Comic Riffs did two posts on Harvey -

Remembering Harvey Pekar, legendary bard of the 'underground' comic book
By Michael Cavna, July 12, 2010

Michael got my first impressions for this article, almost immediately after I heard the news while on vacation -

Harvey Pekar book editor recalls a 'kind and diffident' man
By Michael Cavna, July 12, 2010.

A longer piece, quoting liberally from a 2005 interview I did with Harvey, should appear on the City Paper's website tomorrow.

Harvey Pekar's passing


I've just heard that Harvey Pekar passed away during the night. Some years ago I was asked to fill in and interview Harvey at SPX. I reluctantly agreed, and went home and brushed up on his career. Day 1 went well, so I did the second session the next day with Harvey and his collaborators Josh Neufeld, Ed Piskor and Dean Haspiel. These two interviews became the genesis of my edited book of interviews, Harvey Pekar: Conversations. Harvey gave me his permission to use anything he had done, but he didn't have a file of interviews to make my life much easier. I got the occasional thrill of picking up the phone and hearing him saying, "Hey Mike, it's Harvey Pekar" as though his gruff voice wasn't immediately recognizable. The book came out about a year later, and Harvey and I stayed loosely in touch. I always found him to be kind and approachable, not a curmudgeon, and will miss our infrequent talks and any new stories from him. Through the force of his intellect and willpower, Harvey made himself a part of the American experience and we've lost something with his death.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Batwoman: Elegy reviewed in Examiner

Today's Examiner had a brief review of Batwoman: Elegy which isn't online. The main takeaway: "The obvious attraction is Williams and colorist Dave Stewart's artwork, whose mutable style and wildly inventive layouts get across the story's twisted chronology and psychological subtleties all by themselves."

Bennett's Best on Zadzooks

A couple of week's of catchup here.

Bennett's Best: Justice League of America and Wonder Woman
By Greg Bennett, Special to Zadzooks Sunday, July 4, 2010.

Bennett's Best: Batman: The Odyssey, Scarlet and more
By Greg Bennett, Special to Zadzooks Friday, July 9, 2010

Truitt on Daredevil

Daredevil embraces his darker side in 'Shadowland'
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY July 8 2010


Saturday, July 10, 2010

Trickster interview at Graphic Novel Reporter

Trickster Tales: An Interview with Matt Dembicki and Michael Thompson
-- Danica Davidson
Graphic Novel Reporter July 2010

Shore Leave 32 con includes comics writers

Mike Barr, Peter David and Keith DeCandido will be appearing in Baltimore at the Shore Leave 32 con this weekend, July 9 -11

Comics on the Rack, Quick Picks for Comics Due 07-14-10


COMICS ON THE RACK
Quick Picks for Comics Due 07-14-10
By John Judy
 
ABSOLUTE PLANETARY, VOL. 2 HC by Warren Ellis and John Cassaday.  Collecting issues #13-27 in this coffee-table size book, thus completing this trippy tribute to every pop fantasy adventure ever printed on cheap paper.  Recommended.
 
ADVENTURE COMICS #516 by Many People.  A Legion of Super-Heroes story with a back-up feature starring The Atom!  Because sooner or later that stuff's gonna sell!
 
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #637 by Lotsa People.  Kraven!  Dead and loving it! Too bad about that other guy, though…
 
ASTONISHING SPIDER-MAN/WOLVERINE #2 of 6 by Jason Aaron and Adam Kubert.  It's Aaron's first "summer movie" comic and it's pretty raucous!  Web-slinging, claw-popping fun!
 
ASTRO CITY: THE SILVER AGENT #1 of 2 by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson.  At last!  The low-down on Astro City's most famous and tragic citizen!  A long time coming and highly recommended.
 
BATMAN #701 by Grant Morrison and Tony Daniel.  An untold story of the Batman by Grant Morrison to help you understand what's happening in all those other stories of the Batman by Grant Morrison!
 
BLACKEST NIGHT: BLACK LANTERN CORPS VOL. 1 and 2 HC by Everyone.  Your favorite dead heroes return as heart-ripping ghouls! (Hey, Marvel wasn't doing much with that story anymore…)
 
BRAVE AND THE BOLD #35 by J. Michael Straczynski and Jesus Saiz.  The Legion of Substitute Heroes and the Inferior Five.  This is why I still read comics.  Highly recommended.
 
BRODY'S GHOST, BOOK 1 of 6 SC written and drawn by Mark Crilley.  When a cute ghost tells you to begin samurai training to unlock your hidden powers you better begin samurai training to unlock your hidden powers, buster!  Recommended.
 
CHEW #12 by John Layman and Rob Guillory.  Poyo, the Killer Cock returns!  Excelsior!
 
COMIC BOOK GUY: THE COMIC BOOK #1 of 5 by Boothby, Delaney and Davis.  Our hero, our role model, our avatar.  "Best.  Comic.  EVER!"  Recommended.
 
DAREDEVIL #508 by Andy Diggle, Antony Johnston and Roberto DeLaTorre.  If your friends are trying to stop you from killing Bullseye are they really your friends?
 
DAYTRIPPER #8 of 10 by Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon.  The latest chapter in the ongoing lives and deaths of Bras.  Highly recommended.
 
DOCTOR SOLAR MAN OF THE ATOM #1 by Jim Shooter and Denis Calero.  Living Comics Institution Jim Shooter brings back this silver-age powerhouse for yet another shot at The Show.
 
FRACTURED FABLES HC by Many People, including but not limited to Jill Thompson, Bryan Talbot, Peter David, Ben Templesmith, Terry Moore, Ted McKeever, Bill Morrison, Larry Marder, Jim Valentino, Shannon Wheeler.  Fairy tales for all ages and sensibilities.
 
GIRL COMICS #3 of 3 by Many talented Female Creators.  Wrapping up this combination history of women in comics/anthology of under-utilized characters.  Fun stuff and a lot of information I didn't know before.  Kudos to Marvel for making this happen.  Recommended.
 
GORILLA MAN #1 of 3 by Jeff Parker and Giancarlo Caracuzzo.  A peek into the backstory of Ken Hale, the immortal talking gorilla from the Agents of Atlas!
 
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #28 by Matt Fraction and Salvador Larroca. Armor-plated action and hi-tech hijinks abound as Tony and Rhodey start tearing up the town! Recommended.
 
JUSTICE LEAGUE GENERATION LOST #5 by Keith Giffen, Judd Winick and Joe Bennett.  Maxwell Lord has reassembled his old, cut-rate Justice League (more or less).  But why???
 
OFFICER DOWNE ONE-SHOT by Joe Casey and Chris Burnham. The adventures of the baddest cop in this world.  And the next…
 
REVOLVER HC written and drawn by Matt Kindt.  Given a choice between soul-crushing order and post-apocalyptic chaos, which would you choose?  Or would you?  In this original graphic novel one guy has a chance to find out.  Recommended.
 
RICHARD STARK'S PARKER: THE MAN WITH THE GETAWAY FACE adapted and drawn by Darwyn Cooke.  Following his triumphant adaptation of PARKER THE HUNTER Cooke now primes the pump for this October's release of THE OUTFIT with this short 24-page lead in story.  This is a guaranteed Awesome Read and everyone should reserve their copies immediately.  Highly recommended.  Not for kids.
 
SCOTT PILGRIM, VOL. 6: FINEST HOUR GN written and drawn by Bryan Lee O'Malley.  At last!  The final Evil Ex-Boyfriend arrives!  It's clobberin' time!  (Sorry.  Wrong book.  Sorry…)
 
SIXTH GUN #1 and 2 by Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt.  Dark magic and gun-slingin' in the old west.  Could it be someone decided to do the "Jonah Hex" movie right…?
 
STRANGE SCIENCE FANTASY #1 written and drawn by Scott Morse. A little retro madness from the creator of SOULWIND.
 
SUPERMAN #701 by J. Michael Straczynski and Eddy Barrows.  The new creative team brings Superman back to Earth in "Grounded, Part One."  Gotta look!
 
UNCANNY X-MEN: HEROIC AGE #1 by Matt Fraction and Three Artistes.  Three tales of X-action in the Marvel Yoo!
 
UNWRITTEN #15 by Mike Carey and Peter Gross.  Tommy's getting closer to finding his dad while poor Lizzie's having a Dickens of a time…  Recommended.
 
VIKING PRINCE BY JOE KUBERT HC written by Robert Kanigher and Bob Haney, drawn by Kubert.  Collecting the Silver-Age adventures of a great Viking warrior, pre-NORTHLANDERS.  Recommended.
 
X-FILES/30 DAYS OF NIGHT #1 of 6 by Steve Niles, Adam Jones and Tom Mandrake.  Mulder and Scully fight the vamps!  Gotta look!
 
X-MEN: SECOND COMING #2 by Many People.  Who lives?  Who dies?  Who comes back? Hint: Red hair, people.  Red.  Hair.
 
 


America's Next Great Cartoonist contestant Walch featured in college newsblog

A vote for Walch is a vote for America's Next Great Cartoonist
William and Mary News & Events July 9, 2010

July 10: Matt Dembicki at Hooray for Kids bookstore REPOST

Local graphic artist Matt Dembicki (editor of "Trickster: Native American Tales, A Graphic Collection") is giving a workshop for kids 7 and up on drawing and putting together a comic book. Kids will learn the basics—creating a character, developing a story, and laying out a page using various tricks of the trade. Participants will make their own mini-comics to take home. The workshop is Saturday, July 10, at 3 p.m., and folks should call (703-548-4092) or e-mail (info@hooray4books.com) to make a reservation.

Hooray for Kids
An Independent Children's Bookstore
1555 King St. Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Ph. 703-548-4092 Fax 703-548-4094
Hours M-Sat. 10-6 Sun 11-4

Troy Allen interview at Superpunch

Super Punch Interview: Troy Allen. by John Struan, July 5, 2010

Friday, July 09, 2010

PR: Tickets On Sale, Hotel Discounts Available for the 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con!



Tickets On Sale, Hotel Discounts Available for the 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con!

Baltimore, Maryland - July 8, 2010 - Tickets for the Baltimore Comic-Con, to be held on August 28 and August 29, 2010 at the Baltimore Convention Center, are now on sale!  Many have been asking, and we're pleased to now be able to offer the opportunity to purchase your tickets!  To do so on-line, please follow http://www.ticketmaster.com/Baltimore-Convention-Center-tickets-Baltimore/venue/172201 to purchase your Two-Day, Saturday, or Sunday passes.  Tickets can also be purchased in person at Cards, Comics & Collectibles of Reisterstown, MD (100A Chartley Drive, Reisterstown, MD  21136), or at any show or convention at which Cards, Comics & Collectibles is exhibiting.  As with years past, we encourage you to purchase tickets ahead of the show so as not to have to wait in the ticket line.
 
"We've been getting a lot of questions about when tickets would be on sale this year," said Marc Nathan, promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con.  "Everyone can now solidify their travel plans, and be sure to take advantage of the discounts that the hotels around the Baltimore Convention Center are offering -- just follow the About > Hotels link off of our main webpage for details!"

We are also proud to announce that Archaia Comics and Adhouse Books will be exhibiting at the 2010 convention in addition to the already-announced Boom! Studios, Dark Horse Comics, IDW, Image Comics, Top Cow Productions, and Top Shelf Comix.
 
Joining our already spectacular list of comic book professional guests, we are happy to announce the following additions:  Dave Aikins (SpongeBob Squarepants), Van Jensen (Pinocchio:  Vampire Slayer), Norman Lee (New Mutants), Joe Linsner (Dawn:  Not To Touch The Earth), Clay Mann (X-Men Legacy), Pop Mhan (Ender's Game: Mazer In Prison), Sean Murphy (Joe the Barbarian), Paul D. Storrie (Twilight Crusade:  Gabriel), Timothy Truman (Conan the Cimmerian), and Kelly Yates (Doctor Who: 2010 Annual).
 
Guests previously announced include: Mike and Laura Allred (Madman), Sergio Aragones (Groo), Ivan Brandon (Nemesis:  The Imposters), Tom Brevoort (Executive Editor, Marvel Comics), Jim Calafiore (Secret Six), Eric Canete (New Avengers:  Luke Cage), Bernard Chang (Prince of Persia), Howard Chaykin (Black Kiss), Sean Chen (Nova), Cliff Chiang (Greendale), Mark Chiarello (Editor, DC Comics), Frank Cho (Ultimate Comics New Ultimates), Mike Choi (X-Force), Steve Conley (Star Trek Omnibus: The Original Series), Amanda Conner (Power Girl), Shane Davis (Superman:  Earth One), Dan DiDio - Sunday only (The Outsiders, Co-Publisher, DC Comics), Al Feldstein (MAD Magazine), Francesco Francavilla (The Green Hornet:  Year One), Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (Wednesday Comics), Ron Garney (Wolverine:  Weapon X), Sterling Gates (Supergirl), Bryan J.L. Glass (Mice Templar), Michael Golden (Marvel 1602:  Spider-Man), Cully Hamner (Detective Comics), Dean Haspiel (ACT-I-VATE), Jonathan Hickman (Fantastic Four), Greg Horn (Green Lantern), Adam Hughes (Wonder Woman), Jamal Igle (Supergirl), Georges Jeanty (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Geoff Johns - Sunday only (Blackest Night, Chief Creative Officer, DC Comics), J.G. Jones (DC Universe Legacies), Denis Kitchen (Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen), Barry Kitson (Iron Man 2 Prequel), Rich Koslowski (BB Wolf and the 3 LPs), Greg LaRocque (The Exiled), Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon), Steve Lieber (Underground), Luna Brothers (The Sword), David Mack (Kabuki), Laura Martin (Girl Comics), Ron Marz (Witchblade), Todd McFarlane - Saturday only (Spawn), Mark McKenna (Banana Tail), Mike McKone (Avengers Academy), Bob McLeod (New Mutants Forever), Terry Moore (Echo, SiP), Mark Morales (Siege), Chris Moreno (Toy Story), Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), Phil Noto (Avengers:  The Origin), Ryan Ottley (Invincible), Jimmy Palmiotti (Jonah Hex), Jeff Parker (Thunderbolts), Lauren Perry (Blank-ees), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Brandon Peterson (Ultimate Extinction), Chris Pitzer (Publisher, Adhouse Books), Paul Pope (Wednesday Comics), Eric Powell (The Goon), Jack Purcell (Gotham City Sirens), Mike Raicht (The Stuff of Legend), Tom Raney (Black Widow:  Deadly Origin), Chris Roberson (I, Zombi), James Robinson (Justice League of America), Budd Root (Cavewoman), Don Rosa (Uncle Scrooge), Craig Rousseau (Marvel Her-Oes), Stephane Roux (Zatanna), Jim Rugg (Afrodisiac), Tim Sale courtesy of Hero Initiative (Captain America White), Ian Sattler (Editor, DC Comics), Stuart Sayger (Bram Stoker's Death Ship), Bob Schreck (Jurassic Park), Jim Shooter (Magnus, Robot Fighter), Louise Simonson (X-Factor Forever), Walter Simonson (Thor), Andy Smith (WildC.A.T.S.), John K. Snyder III (The A-Team:  Shotgun Wedding), Allison Sohn (Star Wars sketchcard artist), Jim Starlin (Dreadstar), Brian Stelfreeze (The Authority:  The Lost Year), Karl Story (Zatanna), Billy Tan (Shadowland), Ben Templesmith sponsored by Laughing Ogre Comics (Choker), Mark Texeira (X-Men:  Origins), Herb Trimpe (Incredible Hulk), Billy Tucci (Shi), Dexter Vines (Ultimate Avengers), Neil Vokes (Superman Adventures), Doug Wagner (World of Warcraft:  Horde), Matt Wagner (The Green Hornet:  Year One), Mark Waid (Irredeemable, Editor-in-Chief, Boom! Studios), Marv Wolfman (New Teen Titans), John Workman (Heavy Metal), Bernie Wrightson (Swamp Thing), and Chrissie Zullo (Cinderella:  From Fabletown With Love).
 
In coming weeks, look for more announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting our guests, the Harvey Awards, industry exclusives, and programming. The latest developments can always be found at our website (http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/), Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/baltimorecomics), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/baltimorecomiccon), MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/baltimorecomics), and ComicSpace (http://www.comicspace.com/baltimorecomicon) pages.

This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held August 28-29, 2010. Convention hours are Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. The ceremony and banquet for the Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, August 28th.
 
Contact Information
Please use the following e-mail addresses to contact the Baltimore Comic-Con:
 
press@baltimorecomiccon.com - for any general press inquiries or to be added to our PR distribution
promoter@baltimorecomiccon.com - for requesting exhibitor, publisher, and Artist Alley applications
registrar@baltimorecomiccon.com - for inquiries about submitted registrations
harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com - for communications regarding the Harvey Awards ceremony and banquet
general@baltimorecomiccon.com - for general Baltimore Comic-Con inquiries
 
About The Baltimore Comic-Con
The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 11th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area.  With a guest list unequaled in the industry, the Baltimore Comic-Con will be held August 28-29, 2010.  For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com.

About The Harvey Awards
The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards.  With a history of over 20 years, the last 5 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories.  They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals.  For more information, please visit www.harveyawards.org.

 
  

July 10: CC Colbert speaks on "Booth" at Ford's Theatre?

Robin McConnell has an interview with CC Colbert, Inkstuds (July 8 2010): http://inkstuds.com/?p=2988 and says she'll be signing her graphic novel Booth at Ford's Theatre on July 10th. I can't find anything on the Ford's site.

Bill Caldwell, former Geppi's Comics World manager

Scoop is reporting that Bill Caldwell, former Geppi's Comics World manager, has died. I assume he managed one of the stores in the area.

Cavna on Doonesbury

Behind the Lines: 'DOONESBURY's' Trudeau illuminates today's 'Sgt. Bitch' strip [UPDATED], By Michael Cavna, Washington Post Comic Riffs blog July 9, 2010. He also notes that Newsday censored the strip.

Wondermark's David Malki likes Cul de Sac too

Richard's fan club is growing today, after a Facebook post by Chris "Crogan's Vengeance" Schweizer and now David "Wondermark" Malki's blogging about it. You have to love Malki's opinion "Despite running in newspapers, this is a great comic strip."

Perhaps coincidentally, Richard sat next to both of them at HeroesCon and they may have been infected by his meme.

Also, I read all three of these cartoonists regularly and like their works.

Print vs web? Editorial at NY Times

Here's an editorial on the positive effects for children of having books at home versus using the computer. I don't agree with Brooks arguement about hierarchy, but I personally think there's something to a book. Or comic. Or graphic novel.
 
New York Times July 8, 2010
The Internet culture has yet to incorporate the literary culture of traditional bookish learning.

Jack Black drawing in today's Express


There's a lovely drawing of a girl sitting on the statue of Lincoln's lap, reading, in today's Express. It's by Jack Black, and has a comics feel, although I don't know his work. I'll probably pick up some extras just to tearsheet this page. The man behind the Ephemerist collects art like this.

Another Pekar interview

You have to buy this one to photocopy the article and stick in your copy of Harvey Pekar: Conversations -

Pricco, Evan. 2010. Harvey Pekar [interview]. Juxtapoz (July): 76-87

- but you can read this one with his collaborator online -

Pricco, Evan. 2010. Interview with Pekar Project artist Tara Seibel: Part 1-2.
Juxtapoz (July 7-8): http://www.juxtapoz.com/Features/interview-with-pekar-project-artist-tara-seibel-part-1 and http://www.juxtapoz.com/Features/interview-with-pekar-project-artist-tara-seibel-part-2

Hilary Price chat live now

Hilary Price chat live now.

I've gotten some questions answered that I submitted in advance:

Q.Cartoon contest judging
How did you find the judging? Was it hard or easy? Did you feel mean at times?

Q.Guest cartoonists?
Within memory, you've had Mo Willems do a guest week on your strip. Do you get any response to that switch? I liked it myself and think it's a better idea than reprints.

Ooh, and a couple of new ones:

Q.Cartoon contest = competition?
Did you feel as though you were helping out possible future competition by being a judge?

Q.Deadlines
How far ahead are you? A 'Cul de Sac' week or a 'Pearls Before Swine' 1/2 year?

'Despicable Me' reviews

With lovable villains, 'Despicable Me' another win for fans of animated fun [online title: 'Despicable Me' another win for Pixar fans], By Sally Kline, Washington Examiner July 9, 2010.

Evil was never so heartwarming, By Ann Hornaday, Washington Post Friday, July 9, 2010

Lunar Toons and Cookie Capers, By A. O. SCOTT, New York Times July 9, 2010

Cul de Sac favored by comics historian Craig Yoe

Comics historian Craig Yoe says, "There is some hope [for comic strips], with Patrick McDonnell’s “Mutts” and Richard Thompson’s “Cul de Sac” and a couple of others. We need more strips like that!"

The whole interview with pictures is at Print's new blog -

Craig Yoe Talks ICON, Krazy Kat, and Whether Today’s Cartoonists Ever Get Laid, by Michael Dooley, Imprint blog July 7 2010.

Hilary Price chat at Post at 11 am today

Hilary Price, creator of “Rhymes with Orange”, will be live chatting at 11am ET today.

Superheroes Who Are Super at the Capital Fring Festival beginning tonight

 
 
Save the Day Productions is presenting its live readings of comic books, "Superheroes Who Are Super" at the Capital Fringe Festival beginning tonight
 
Times
Friday, July 9 @ 8pm
Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man and Wonder Woman #1
Saturday, July 10 @ 10pm
Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man and Wonder Woman #1
Wednesday, July 14 @ 9:45pm
Batman Adventures: Mad Love
Friday, July 16 @ 10:15pm
The Uncanny X-Men #127-128
Sunday, July 18 @ 3:30pm
The Uncanny X-Men #127-128
 

Location

The Apothecary
1013 7th Street, NW
Washington, DC
Tickets: $15

Thursday, July 08, 2010

Book reviews up at City Paper

International Ink: War, Werewolves, Steampunk, Kung Fu, and Cap, Posted by Mike Rhode on Jul. 8, 2010. I squeezed five in.

 

Animator is finalist in Post's Real Art D.C. contest

The first is his cartoon, the second is a profile, and the third is biographical information. This is online only.

Real Art D.C. Finalist: Adam Dwight,Washington Post.com Thursday, July 8, 2010.

Takoma Park, Md., artist Adam Dwight makes gouaches featuring figures that might populate gross-out comics, though they're more civilized than that. Think Mr. Smithers from "The Simpsons" as drawn by Dr. Seuss.

Finalist No. 4: Adam Griffiths a.k.a. Adam Dwight,Washington Post.com Thursday, July 8, 2010.

Bio: Adam Griffiths a.k.a. Adam Dwight,Thursday, July 8, 2010.

Dave Mitchell of American's Next Great Cartoonist Contest

Dave Mitchell is featured in this article -
 

By Hannah Coffman

Central Florida Future July 7, 2010

 

 

Truitt on Matt Fraction's Casanova

Matt Fraction hopes second time's the charm for 'Casanova', by Brian Truitt, USA TODAY July 6 2010

July 10: Matt Dembicki at Hooray for Kids bookstore

Local graphic artist Matt Dembicki (editor of "Trickster: Native American Tales, A Graphic Collection") is giving a workshop for kids 7 and up on drawing and putting together a comic book. Kids will learn the basics—creating a character, developing a story, and laying out a page using various tricks of the trade. Participants will make their own mini-comics to take home. The workshop is Saturday, July 10, at 3 p.m., and folks should call (703-548-4092) or e-mail (info@hooray4books.com) to make a reservation.

Hooray for Kids
An Independent Children's Bookstore
1555 King St. Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Ph. 703-548-4092 Fax 703-548-4094
Hours M-Sat. 10-6 Sun 11-4

Horn-tooting, posted in the dead of night

Thanks go out to Tom Spurgeon, who while linking to my City Paper's Evan Keeling interview today, said:

I would kill for more specific scene reporting like we get out of a couple of the Portland blogs, from the New York folks and from Mike Rhode in the Greater DC area.


As I've said before, Tom's Comic Reporter is a site I read every day, so I was tickled to see this.

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

A little bit of Peanuts history


This ad for "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" is from the July 8th, 1969 Chicago Tribune - or 8 days before Apollo 11 took off and 12 days before it landed on the moon - thus explaining World War 1 ace Snoopy's spacesuit helmet.

Cavna on Nate Pierce and Jeff Kinney

Kidspost: 'Big Nate' creator Lincoln Peirce and 'Wimpy Kid' creator Jeff Kinney
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 7, 2010; C10

Weldon on Blacksad from France

'Blacksad': A Hard-Boiled, Two-Fisted (Well, Two-Pawed) Detective Yarn, by Glen Weldon, July 7, 2010

PR: Wash Post Cartoonist Contest: Vote for the Winner Now


Washington Post's America's Next Great Cartoonist Contest is announcing the second round of its competition!

 Our panelists picked 10 finalists and then thousands of readers voted to determine which five cartoonists would take on a second cartoon challenge: to create a color Sunday-style comic strip and a character sheet.

 See the five finalists' second challenge materials, read our celebrity judges' critiques including one from Stan Lee, and vote for your favorite.

 Evaluate 5 finalists here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/greatcartoonist

 Vote here: http://postfun.washingtonpost.com/post/entry/americas-next-great-cartoonist-vote-ii

 Be sure to come back July 15 to see the contest winner!

  

 

MJ's editorial cartoons get a Washington subscriber

MJ, the mystery cartoonist who donated the logo of the African-American man to ComicsDC, writes in "Finally got a D.C. Bureau to offer my funnies for mobile use. Woo Hoo! They also appear through the online version http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=175421"
 
That's World Net Daily based on Pennsylvania Ave in the District. Congratulations MJ.

Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Brooke A. Allen at Big Planet Comics Vienna

I hadn't heard of Brooke A. Allen before her appearance at Big Planet Comics Vienna - which turns out to be no surprise because she's still at student at SCAD, even though she's got her first graphic novel coming out now. I talked to her briefly, asking about her influences and was surprised to hear Walt Kelly, followed by Jeff Smith. After reading the book, I can definitely see Bone's influence. I enjoyed the story and will run a brief review at the City Paper soon, but here's some photos.

100_0463

100_0462
She made a nice drawing in each book - the people in front of me got the bad magician.

100_0560
My daughter got Mr. Easter.

100_0557
And I got a self-portrait.

100_0459
There was a darn big crowd for both Ms. Allen and the 4th of July sale.

100_0461
She kept cranking through the drawings for people and I think the store expected to sell out of the book.


BP had these nice posters on sale for $3. I got mine.

DC Conspiracy exhibit at DC's Martin Luther King Library

Andrew Cohen just wrote in to tell us about an upcoming exhibit.

Just wanted to let you know about an event I'm putting together with the DC Conspiracy, called Comic Book Boom, at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.

Basically, it's meant to show off some of the comic art that the DCC does in the city, and to put a spotlight on comics more generally. It will consist of an exhibit of comic book art, a comic book reading area, and a couple of how-to workshops for making comics.

There will be more than 20 framed pieces of comic book art that people in the DCC have drawn; spinning racks and shelves filled with books put out by the group and DCC members; and workshops on July 31 and August 21, led by Conspirators.

The facebook page is at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=133445306667199&ref=mf

And the details of the show...

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
901 G Street, NW
2nd Floor, West lobby
July 12 - August 27

Dragonball: Origins 2 videogame review in today's Examiner

A Dragonball: Origins 2 videogame review by Greg Prince is in today's Examiner, but only the hardcopy.  I enjoyed the manga, but haven't watched the anime.

Chat with Evan Keeling up at City Paper

Online now!

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Evan KeelingPosted by Mike Rhode on Jul. 6, 2010

Evan Keeling is one of the Trickster anthology artists, a founding member of the DC Conspiracy comics co-op, and the person who puts together genre anthologies by the group. The next anthology, the fourth, will focus on romance. He also works for the Smithsonian, a quintessentially cool Washington job.

Monday, July 05, 2010

Graphic Content panel in pictures

As far as I know, the DC Library hasn't posted a podcast of last weekend's panel yet, but here's my photos. To remind all, this was -

"Graphic Content: A Conversation with Five DC Area Graphic Storytellers."
Shannon "G.I. Joe" Gallant, Matt "Politico" Wuerker, Andrew "Trickster" Cohen, Evan "DC Conspiracy" Keeling and Ben "Dirtfarm" Classen at Northwest One Neighborhood Library, June 26, 2010, Washington DC.

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Andrew Cohen, Evan Keeling and then Matt Wuerker in far background. The pages Andrew is showing come from the graphic novel he and Matt Dembicki are doing on DC's Huerich mansion, and look lovely.

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Matt Wuerker. Nobody asked him about the hat.

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Ben Claassen and Shannon Gallant.

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Shannon Gallant signing a 'Black Canary' sketch he gave to me.

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Evan Keeling, Ben Claassen and Shannon Gallant comparing pencils.

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Andrew Cohen, Evan Keeling and Ben Claassen.

Richard Thompson interview by Tom Spurgeon online now

Tom Spurgeon interviewed Richard Thompson at Heroes Con last month, and has transcribed the interview - CR Sunday Interview: Richard Thompson (From Heroes Con 2010), July 4, 2010. Tom's a former editor of the Comics Journal and one of the more knowledgeable people who write about comics. I read his Comics Reporter every day and you should too.

Sunday, July 04, 2010

Post and Times on Norman Rockwell exhibit

I'm of two minds about Rockwell, but I think if you approach him as a consummate illustrator, as Solomon does, you can enjoy his work more than if you worry about putting him into an artistic pantheon at the moment.

Norman Rockwell exhibit opens at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, By Blake Gopnik, Washington Post Sunday, July 4, 2010; E01. There are 86 comments now on this one mostly bashing Gopnik.


America, Illustrated, By DEBORAH SOLOMON, New York Times July 4, 2010

Truitt on Batwoman

J.H. Williams breaks boundaries for a modern Batwoman
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY July 2 2010

Brooke A. Allen at Big Planet Comics Vienna on July 4th


I'm heading out to this in 5 minutes.

From: Big Planet Comics

...you are cordially invited to the Big Planet Comics 24th Anniversary Sale! Come by on Sunday, July 4th (Saturday, too, in College Park!) and save 20% off your entire purchase at any of our four locations!



We'll also be having Home For Mr. Easter Signing with Brooke A. Allen on Sunday! Come by the Vienna store between 12PM-2PM on July 4th to meet the author of A Home For Mr. Easter and get a signed copy of the book that the Comics Journal called "a delightful debut from an artist who has a fine grasp of storytelling"!

Saturday, July 03, 2010

Washington Times reviews Feiffer autobio

BOOK REVIEW: 'Backing into Forward'
By Marion Elizabeth Rodgers
Washington Times July 2, 2010

It's been out for months, so I'm not quite sure why it took so long, but the Post just got to Clowes' Wilson a couple of days ago too...

Friday, July 02, 2010

Beyond Comics July 4th - 5th Sale!

Beyond Comics
Beyond Comics
SALE!
July 4th
& July 5th

(Sunday & Monday)
25% OFF
New Comics
and
Graphic Novels

25% OFF Toys
25% OFF T-Shirts
25% OFF Supplies
25% OFF Posters
25% OFF Trading Cards

Sale Excludes:
June & July New Arrivals
, Subscriptions,
Special Orders, and On Hold Items.

New Books Ship Thursday!
25% OFF Star Wars Merchandise

25% OFF DC Direct
Merchandise
Store Hours:
Sunday
12 noon to 5:00 p.m
Monday
10 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Beyond Comics reserves the right to not discount any items that may have been mistakenly put on sale. We also reserve the right to limit or restrict individuals from any sale items at any time for any reason.

Weldon on digital comics

Begun, The Digital Age of Comics Has
by Glen Weldon
National Public Radio’s Monkey See blog (July 1, 2010)

Big Planet 4th of July Sale and "Home For Mr. Easter" Book Signing!

From: Big Planet Comics

...you are cordially invited to the Big Planet Comics 24th Anniversary Sale! Come by on Sunday, July 4th (Saturday, too, in College Park!) and save 20% off your entire purchase at any of our four locations!

 We'll also be having Home For Mr. Easter Signing with Brooke A. Allen on Sunday! Come by the Vienna store between 12PM-2PM on July 4th to meet the author of A Home For Mr. Easter and get a signed copy of the book that the Comics Journal called "a delightful debut from an artist who has a fine grasp of storytelling"!

 

Baltimore's Closed Caption member Noel Freibert profiled

NOEL FREIBERT IS AN EXTREME TROGLODYTE
NICK GAZIN
VICELAND TODAY June 28 2010

Thursday, July 01, 2010

Big Planet Comics' July 4th sale



20% off everything for the 24th anniversary of the chain.

Morgan Bramlet's graphic novel plans

This story identifies Morgan Bramlet as "McLean author Morgan Bramlet, author of Virtual Death: A Cyber Thriller" which is a bit far afield for us, but at the end he says, "I am also working on three different graphic novel projects, which is a great medium to work in because I am able to write the words and direct the illustrations."

More with author Morgan Bramlet
Avis Thomas-Lester
Washington Post's On Success Rapid Reinvention blog June 30, 2010

and the preceeding day's interview had more details on who he is.

Givhan on Wonder Woman's new fashion

Trading in briefs for pants, she's still a wonder [online title: From star-spangled briefs to skintight pants, Wonder Woman is still a wonder]
By Robin Givhan
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 1, 2010; C02

The Post's fashion critic weighs in on DC's latest PR stunt.

Post on The Last Airbender and an interview with the director

This is only online, and it's a very good interview with the director over the 'racial controversy' that's sprung up around the movie adaptation of the cartoon -

Talking with director M. Night Shyamalan about 'Last Airbender,' race and more
By Jen Chaney
Washington Post's Celibritology 2.0 blog July 1, 2010

and here's the paper's review -

It's easy to drift away from 'Last Airbender'
By Michael O'Sullivan
Washington Post July 1, 2010: C10

Olivia Walch's paper worries about conflict of interest

A few days ago we linked to an article about America's Next Great Cartoonist contestant Olivia Walch. Now her college paper is worrying about a conflict of interest for doing a story on her -

On conflict of interest
By Mike Crump
College of William and Mary's Flat Hat June 30, 2010

-which seems kind of silly to me since she's become a story in herself.

Dirda on Clowes

Daniel Clowes's new graphic novel "Wilson," reviewed by Michael Dirda
By Michael Dirda
Washington Post July 1, 2010; C03

Weldon on Wonder Woman's fashion do-over

Wonder Woman's Dated New Duds, or: Desperately Seeking Zeus-an

by Glen Weldon

 June 30, 2010

 

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Bruce Guthrie on the Norman Rockwell exhibit @ American Art

Bruce Guthrie has sent in his thoughts on the new exhibit about Norman Rockwell.This is a little off-topic, but probably still of interest to our readers

I did a staff tour of the Norman Rockwell exhibit that opens on Friday (I think). There's a decent video for it, a good variety of preliminary work and final oils, helpful signage, etc.  No photography is allowed in the exhibit of course.

There's a study cart available some times where you'll be able to pose people with props in front of a Saturday Evening Post backdrop.  That takes a while to set up -- they want to teach you about posing "in the Rockwell way" -- but people did some creative group shots.

The exhibit including film takes about 45 minutes to go through.  They have crowd control for lines -- you have to queue through the courtyard and they're expecting lots of visitors.  They're also planning for lines outside the building before the museum opens in the morning.

There's a big opening with Lucas and Spielberg Thursday night for donors at the $5k level.  I wasn't eligible for that, but it would have been fun.  For that event only, they're building four sets in the courtyard -- a little school house, a diner, a barber shop, and ... something else -- to recreate Rockwell's Americana.

The exhibit's there for about 6 months.  See it!

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Donna Lewis

Now up at the City Paper's website - the creator of the Reply All webcomic -
 
Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Donna Lewis
Posted by Mike Rhode on Jun. 30, 2010 at 11:19 am

Laughing Ogre store featured by Mulitiversity Comics

The local Laughing Ogre store is featured by Mulitiversity Comics.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

SPX new animation showcase podcast interview

Fictional Frontiers with Sohaib (Episode 101) - Part II
Posted by Sohaib Awan, Jun 14, 2010 12:51 PM
Runtime: 07:41 |

2. Paul Nadjmabadi, Committee Co-Chair for the SPX Animation Showcase at the 2010 Small Press Expo (www.spxpo.com)

Thanks to Matt Dembicki for the tip

Dustin Harbin interviewed at Daily Cross Hatch

Dustin's the guy who gets Richard Thompson to come to Heroes Con, so we'll give him honorary DC status.

Interview: Dustin Harbin Pt. 1, by Brian Heater, Daily Cross Hatch June 29 2010.

Everyone is somebody's local fave in America's Next Great Cartoonist

Olivia Walch in this case -

Student selected for Washington Post comic competition, By Ben Huber, College of William & Mary's The Flat Hat June 28, 2010.

Cul de Sac picks up Times Leader

Joe Butkiewicz justifies his comics pages changes in Change can be good, and also funny , June 28 2010, but he's ok with us because he's added Cul de Sac.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Comics Comics has O'Malley interview from 2008 SPX

A Conversation With Bryan Lee O’Malley – SPX 2008
by Joe McCulloch
Sunday, June 27, 2010

I just love it when these things are preserved. Think of how interesting it would be to read about what Herriman had to say about the desert or McCay on coloring a Sunday...

Comic Riffs on Big Nate, DC as a comics town, and the top 5 cartoon contest contestants

1. The 'Riffs Interview: Lincoln Peirce's 'BIG NATE' becomes an 'overnight' best-seller, Michael Cavna, Washington Post Comic Riffs blog June 27, 2010.

I just missed him at ALA, a disappointment because I enjoy his strip. Check the City Paper Arts Desk blog this week for my ALA report.

2. THE RIFF: Where does D.C. rate as a 'comics town'? - Not as high as this blog wants it to be, by god.

3. 'NEXT GREAT CARTOONIST' finalists offer their reactions to the contest, by Michael Cavna, June 28, 2010.

3a. Oh, and now they have to draw a Sunday strip.

Truitt on Walking Dead

Kirkman's 'Walking Dead' conquers comics. Is TV next?
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY June 28 2010

Modesto Bee test-drives 'Barney and Clyde'

Funny Business: We want your thoughts on old, new comicsBy Kerry McCray
Modesto Bee Jun. 27, 2010

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Comics Riffs interviews Tracy White

Darn, I was at ALA this morning, but missed Ms. White.

The 'Riffs Interview: How the incisive TRACY WHITE made it to 'Eighteen' (A Cartoon Memoirist's Tale)
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog June 27, 2010

Zadzooks on Toy Story 3 videogame

Zadzooks: Toy Story 3: The Video Game review
Missions with Buzz, Woody, Jessie
By Joseph Szadkowski
Washington Times June 24, 2010

Truitt on Deadpool again

'Deadpool: Pulp': Secret agents, insanity and apple pie
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY June 24 2010

David-Wasting-Paper interviews Kal

Kevin Kallaugher - Cartoonist Survey #136
June 25, 2010

Captain Comics on Trickster

Native American writers, mischievous gods and comics a natural mix in 'Trickster'
By Andrew Smith
Scripps Howard News Service June 24, 2010

Comics on the Rack, Quick Picks for Comics Due 06-30-10



COMICS ON THE RACK
Quick Picks for Comics Due 06-30-10
By John Judy
 
ABE SAPIEN: ABYSSAL PLAIN #1 of 2 by Mike Mignola, John Arcudi and Peter Snejbjerg.  Hellboy's pal finds a haunted commie sub.  Hijinks ensue.  Pretty art.
 
ACTION COMICS #890 by Paul Cornell and Pete Woods.  After an eternity plowing through the adventures of Night-Who-Knows and Flame-Who-Cares we finally have a star of this title whom fans want to read about: Lex-frickin-Luthor!  Turns out Lex really dug being an Orange Lantern and now he wants to recapture that orange juice.  Of course some fools are gonna get in his way.  And that's how you write a comic called ACTION!  Highly recommended.
 
ASTONISHING X-MEN #34 by Warren Ellis and Phil Jimenez. Undead…robot…alien…mutant…Ellisy stuff!  Gotta look.
 
BATMAN BEYOND #1 of 6 by Adam Beechen and Ryan Benjamin.  Future Batman kicks future butt.
 
CAPTAIN AMERICA #607 by Ed Brubaker and Butch Guice.  Baron Zemo wants to kill Bucky America all over again.  The continuing epic that, were it written by anyone but Brubaker, would require the author to be punched in the face.  Recommended.
 
CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE 1940S NEWSPAPER STRIP #1 by Karl Kesel and Butch Guice.  Collecting the recently unearthed run of the 1940s daily strip by time-traveling bullpenners Kesel and Guice!  Sadly they were not allowed to kill Hitler.
 
CAPTAIN SWING #2 of 4 by Warren Ellis and Raul Caceres.  If high-tech anarchists are taking it to The Man it's probably written by Warren Ellis.  High voltage graphic entertainment with a cockney 'tude. Recommended.
 
CHIMICHANGA #3 of 3 written and drawn by Eric Powell.  Last issue those carny-trash bastids turned on Chimichanga!  Dare we hope, given his brutish strength and appetites, he might attain a modicum of "git-back?"  Because that would be great...  Recommended.
 
CHRONICLES OF WORMWOOD: LAST BATTLE #4 of 6 by Garth Ennis and Oscar Jimenez.  Jay comes out as the returned Christ and the undead Pope Jacko's on the warpath!  How can this not be hideously awesome?  Recommended.  Not for kids.
 
COMPLETE DR AND QUINCH GN by Alan Moore and Alan Davis.  Check out the humor strip Alan Moore blatantly plagiarized from NATIONAL LAMPOON back in 1983!  Seriously, character-types, storylines, even narrative tone ripped whole cloth from the earlier OC AND STIGGS stories written by Tod Carroll and Ted Mann for NATIONAL LAMPOON in 1981-82.  This is why you are allowed to look down your nose at Alan Moore anytime he whines about DC making money from stuff he created.  You're welcome.
 
FLASH #3 by Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul.  From future rogue cops to super murder mysteries, things haven't slowed down since Barry Allen came back from the dead.  Or should we say, "back from the dead for now?"
 
GREEN LANTERN #55 by Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke.  Featuring Atrocitus the Red Lantern versus Lobo, so you kind of have to buy this.  Big fight with biker chains and red puke.  Recommended.
 
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN ANNUAL #1 by Matt Fraction, Salvador Larroca and Carmine DiGiandomenico.  Okay, so this should really be called "The Mandarin Annual #1" but it's pretty cool and Iron Man shows up several times.  Recommended.
 
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #46 by James Robinson and Mark Bagley.  It's a JLA/JSA crossover with the teams fighting all kinds of new bad guys created when the original Green Lantern's power source goes nuts.  Ruckus guaranteed!
 
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #40 by Bill Willingham and Jesus Merino.  Future Ratzis get theirs!  Next up: JLA team-up!
 
MEATCAKE GN written and drawn by Dame Darcy.  A collection of bizarre fantasy humor, including a collaboration with Alan Moore that he didn't plagiarize from anyone.  From Fantagraphics.
 
MINDFIELD #1 by J.T. Krul and Alex Konat.  CIA mind-readers fighting Terror!
 
NORTHLANDERS #29 by Brian Wood and Fiona Staples.  A Viking boat gets lost.  Will they ask for directions?  Highly recommended.
 
SAN FRANCISCO PANORAMA: COMICS SECTION TABLOID FORMAT by Art Spiegelman, Dan Clowes, Adrian Tomine and many more.  Like DC's WEDNESDAY COMICS done by awesome indy creators.  Gotta look!
 
SECRET AVENGERS #2 by Ed Brubaker and Mike Deodato.  Hey, if Moon Knight was on your team you'd keep it a secret too!  Bam!  No seriously, it's cool.  It's Brubaker/Deodato and the heroes go to Mars.  Recommended.
 
SHADE THE CHANGING MAN, VOL. 3: SCREAM TIME SC by Peter Milligan and Several Awesome Artists.  Collecting issues #14-19 of the amazing psychedelic 80s horror comic, courtesy of the wayback machine and the American Scream.  Recommended!
 
SIMPSONS SUPER SPECTACULAR #11 by Many Funny Folks.  Springfield's finest superheroes for readers in need of good all-ages fun.
 
THOR #611 by Kieron Gillen and Richard Elson.  Thor goes to Hell to straighten some stuff out.  Hard.
 
TURF #2 by Jonathan Ross and Tommy Lee Edwards.  Bootleg Era gangsters fight vampires with the help of alien invaders from space!  You're darn right you need to have this!
 
VELOCITY #1 of 4 by Ron Marz and Kenneth Rocafort.  The adventures of the fastest woman in the world, Image-style!  Winner of the "Pilot Season" contest!
 
WEREWOLVES OF MONPELIER GN by Jason.  A romantic comedy about the perils of pretending to be something you're not.  Like, a werewolf, say…  An antidote to "Twilight."  Recommended.
 
WONDER WOMAN #600 by Everyone, including Simone, Straczynski, Perez and Jimenez.  A bunch of stories from Diana's past, present and future celebrating 600 comics with the Princess of Paradise Island in the lead!  Recommended!
 
X-CAMPUS #1 of 4 by Lotsa People.  Basically an alternate universe version of the X-gang where everyone's in a seriously cliquey high school.  Like the Ultimate stuff except done by European creators.  "Euro-Ultimate X-Men?"
 


Saturday, June 26, 2010

Comicsgirl's report on the Graphic Content panel

I finally got to meet Comicsgirl who blogs about comics around DC too. She put up a good report on today's Graphic Content panel so I don't have to. Whew. Bobbie of the DC Library recorded the event and will have a podcast of it up at some point. I think it was a good event and I appreciate her setting it up and asking me to help. Being off to one side of downtown, it was somewhat underattended, but I think the online audio will be of interest since we had a nice range of cartoonists. I took a couple of pictures afterwards and I'll try to get them up tomorrow.

Greg Bennet's band, Jet Age, reviewed in Post and appearing in DC

Album review: The Jet Age's 'In "Love" '
by Mark Jenkins
Washington Post Friday, June 25, 2010; WE07

THE JET AGE - "In 'Love' ''

Show: With the Electricutions on Wednesday at the Black Cat. Show starts at 9 p.m. 202-667-4490. http://www.blackcatdc.com.

That darn Luckovich

Cheap shot
Washington Post June 26 2010


I am disappointed in the poor taste that you showed by running the Mike Luckovich cartoon [Drawing Board, June 19] of Gen. David H. Petraeus collapsing last week at a congressional hearing on the war in Afghanistan.

The cartoon took a cheap shot that was far beneath you.

James Lawler, McLean