Thursday, May 05, 2011

Truitt on Free Comic Book Day and Flashpoint

Free Comic Book Day offers something for everyone
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY May 5 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-05-05-Free-Comic-Book-Day-online_N.htm

'Flashpoint': Not the DC heroes you know
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY May 5 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-05-05-Flashpoint05_ST_N.htm

May 21: DC Anime Club cosplay parade

The press release seeking volunteers for the DC Anime Club cosplay parade is here.

Free Comic Book Day May 7th


From: Joel Pollack at Big Planet Comics

Just wanted to remind everyone that next Saturday is Free Comic Book Day.

The Thor movie opens on Friday, and Saturday is FCBD.

We are really looking to FCBD, there are a lot really good free comes this year.

So don't forget, Saturday, May 7th, Free Comic Book Day.

See you Saturday.





NPR blogger continues to struggle with Sandman

Book Club: Neil Gaiman's 'The Sandman: Dream Country,' Part Two

by Linda Holmes and Glen Weldon
May 5, 2011

http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/05/05/136017702/book-club-neil-gaimans-the-sandman-dream-country-part-two

Wednesday, May 04, 2011

Jeffrey Thompson's travel sketchbooks

Big Planet Comics' staff (and children's book artist) Jeffrey Thompson happened to mention that he was planning on traveling to Peru this summer and would then be posting his sketchbook online to me today. I was surprised to find out that he's been doing travel sketch books since this one from Belize in 1996. Links to his others are here: Italy & Amsterdam, Iceland & Ireland, France & Verdun, Mexico & Belize.

I love these types of books.

6 new Team Cul de Sac cartoons online

Boy, you turn your back for a minute, and 6 more Team Cul de Sac cartoons have been added to the blog. Thanks to Terri Libenson, Brian Anderson,  Jonathan Lemon, Jay Stephens, Chris Schechner and Barbara Dale.

May 17: DC Conspiracy books at Gaithersburg Book Festival

R. M. Rhodes writes in-

 I'm going to be vending on behalf of the DC Conspiracy at the Gaithersburg Book Festival on May 17th. http://www.gaithersburgbookfestival.org/


OT: Free Comic Book Day appearance by John Kovaleski

Friend of ComicsDC John Kovaleski has written in - note the good cause he's raising money for.

One of the greatest holidays is coming up on Saturday, May 7 - Free Comic Book Day. Once again, I'll be at Comix Connection (at their York, PA location) from 12-3. I'll be giving away prints, signing books and having fun. All proceeds will be going to Team Nick, the fund set up to help with the costs associated with my nephew's leukemia treatment. Hope to see you there.

I've also launched a new webcomic called "Dadding Badly" -  all true tales of a
first-time father. Not your typical parenthood  stories, "Dadding Badly" has already covered such hot topics as  leprechaun impersonations, square cows, and how many times you can  hit your father in the head with an empty Kleenex box. Please visit the site below for more fathering fun.
http://daddingbadly.com/

Best,
John

------------------------------------------------

John Kovaleski is a cartoonist and humorous illustrator. He is the  creator of the comic strip "Bo Nanas," which was syndicated by the  Washington Post Writers Group from 2003 to 2007, and collected in  the books "Monkey Meets World" (2005) and "APPEELING: The Best of Bo Nanas" (2008). He is also a frequent contributor to MAD Magazine,  making him one of the "usual gang of idiots."

You can see more of my work here:
http://www.kovaleski.com/

As always you can find  out too much about me on my blog:
http://kovaleski.wordpress.com/

Or follow me on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/johnkovaleski


Tyger cartoon exhibit at National Gallery of Art?

That's what this article says -

Frank Tyger, Times' former publicity manager, dies at 81
Carmen Cusido/The Times of Trenton May 03, 2011
http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2011/05/frank_tyger_times_for_publicit.html

- anyone know anything about this? The NGA hasn't been noticeably cartoon (in the modern sense) friendly, although some Daumier sculptures are on permanent display in the West building.

Comic Riffs on bin Laden cartoons

OSAMA BIN LADEN: There Will Be Blood Drawn: 13 eye-catching OSAMA images

Weldon on Free Comic Book Day

Weldon, Glen.  2011.

A Guide for the Perplexed: Your Trusty FREE COMIC BOOK DAY Checklist.

 
My City Paper piece with interviews with local store owners should appear tomorrow or Friday.

Another comic movie contest

Until 5 pm today, you can enter to win tickets for Priest from the Washington Examiner. The movie is based on a Korean comic book, and the advance showing is for May 12th with the movie opening on May 13th.

Also in the theaters now, based on Italian comic books, is Dylan Dog, but it wasn't screened for reviews. Thor opens on Friday.

Beeler special edition Osama bin Laden cartoon

In addition to picking up the print Washington Examiner, I get Nate Beeler's cartoons emailed to me and I was somewhat confused to get two sent to me yesterday. In one, "The End of Osama bin Laden," Osama's corpse was the I in Justice, while "Closure" the other, which had been in the Tuesday paper that I picked up, showed Uncle Sam sitting on bin Laden's coffin. Since I hadn't seen the Justice cartoon in the paper, I wrote to Nate and asked about it. He said, "That one was for the late edition we put out special on Monday. The coffin cartoon was for the next day's paper. Both are on the website, of course."

I don't recall the last time I heard about a paper doing a special edition AND having their cartoonist do something for it. Anyone else have an example?

Monday, May 02, 2011

Sunday, May 01, 2011

Flugennock on "Obama's Birth Certificate"



http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=838
________________________________________________________________
Mike Flugennock, flugennock at sinkers dot org
Mike's Political Cartoons: dubya dubya dubya dot sinkers dot org

Truitt on Fear Itself

'Fear Itself: The Worthy' begins with Sin
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY April 25 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-04-25-WorthySin_N.htm

Truitt on Moriarity

'Moriarty': It's elementary for Daniel Corey
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY April 29 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-04-28-moriarty_st_n.htm

Truitt on Butcher Baker

'Butcher Baker' goes over the top with heroic insanity
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY April 29 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-04-29-ButcherBaker_N.htm

Al Goodwyn moves into finals of comics contest

Al Goodwyn writes in:

Just got word that I've made it to the finals in this contest.  There are 15 cartoonists left.  Voting will continue this week and then a winner will be announced by the judges on May 10th. Here's the link to what they call the Amateur Cubicle where I have quite a few of my cartoons posted: http://tinyurl.com/3o4tzos

George Mason University paper on 18th century Dutch cartoons

Economists, Crises and Cartoons
by David M. Levy, George Mason University and Sandra J. Peart, University of Richmond - Jepson School of Leadership Studies
January 10, 2010
GMU Working Paper in Economics No. 10-07
http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1570643

- click the link and then choose the download to read the paper.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Post slideshow on comic book movies and Thor article

This article doesn't seem to be in the paper -

'Thor,' director Branagh finds common thread from comic book to Shakespeare.
By David Mermelstein,
Washington Post.com April 26 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/shakespearean-kenneth-branagh-talks-about-the-challenge-of-directing-thor/2011/04/26/AFDr4n6E_story.html

Comic book heroes on the big screen is the slideshow.


Spurred by the success of "Batman Begins," "Spider-Man," "Iron Man," "X-Men" and their sequels, superhero blockbusters have become a cinema staple in the last decade. "Thor," based on the Marvel comic book inspired by Norse myth, arrives in theaters May 6, and "Green Lantern," "Captain America: The First Avenger" and "X-Men: First Class" follow later this summer.

Stephen Hess on Obama caricatures

Martin, Michel.  2011.
Political Caricatures Of Obama, 'Birther Movement' Hint Of Racism.
National Public Radio's Tell Me More April 27, 2011http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
http://www.npr.org/2011/04/27/135770521/politcal-caricatures-of-obama-birther-movement-hint-of-racism
http://pd.npr.org/anon.npr-mp3/npr/tmm/2011/04/20110427_tmm_01.mp3

Tom Spurgeon has some commentary on the piece, which also included political cartoonist Mike Luckovich.

Arlington's DARPA looking for a good comic proposal

Bam! Healing war wounds through comic books
Defense Department says online versions may help soldiers suffering PTSD
By Stuart Fox
4/28/2011
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42801779/ns/technology_and_science-innovation/

Dreamworks's characters to move to National Harbor


Gaylord-DreamWorks deal will bring Shrek, Kung Fu Panda to National Harbor
By Ovetta Wiggins,
Washington Post April 28 2011

Monday, April 25, 2011

USA Today on Hugh MacLeod

Getting laid off was a good thing for 'Evil Plans' author Hugh MacLeod
By Kerry Hannon, Special for USA TODAY April 25 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/money/books/reviews/2011-04-10-evil-plans-book-review.htm

April 27: Hess and Northrop talking about Political Cartoons at Library of Congress

 

Stephen Hess and Sandy Northrop will be speaking at the Library of Congress on Wednesday, April 27 at noon in the Montpelier Room on the 6th floor of the James Madison Building on their latest book American Political Cartoons: the evolution of a national identity, 1754-2010. The discussion will include a visual presentation of traditional and animated editorial cartoons. It is free and the public is encouraged to attend. For more information call 202-707-3630 or email sduk@loc.gov.

 


Saturday, April 23, 2011

New Flugennock cartoon online

I read on the AP wire earlier this week that the recent McDonald's "Hiring Day" resulted in the hiring of 50,000 new burger-flippers, news that was of course deliriously cheered by the Beltway Insider crowd as part of its collective pants-pissing over the creation of 230,000 new jobs last month ....

Read the rest online at http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=831

Dave Nuttycombe gets MAD about the Post

A name not to worry about
Dave Nuttycombe
Washington Post April 23 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/a-name-not-to-worry-about/2011/04/18/AFwCPaRE_story.html



Post reviews Walker's The Comics

Nostalgic look at comic strips
By Dan Kois,
Washington Post April 23, 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/nostalgic-look-at-comic-strips/2011/04/06/AFdZ9QPE_story.html

Truitt on '27'

'27' benefits from musical heart and Soule
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY April 21 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-04-21-27comic_N.htm

Friday, April 22, 2011

Gary Varvel wins Robert F Kennedy Journalism award

WINNERS OF THE 43RD ANNUAL ROBERT F. KENNEDY JOURNALISM AWARDS ANNOUNCED

I was one of the judges for this award. There were a lot of good talented cartoonists who submitted again this year.

Comic Riffs on political cartoons

THE WEEK IN POLITICAL CARTOONS: From the Pulitzer to Post.com
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs April 22 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/the-week-in-political-cartoons-from-the-pulitzer-to-postcom/2011/04/22/AFMaGgPE_blog.html#pagebreak

Montgomery County mom's list of comics for autistic kids

A Montgomery County mom's list of comics for autistic kids is online here.

The Graphic Novel Reporter found the link originally and is one of my regular reads.

Watterson does Team Cul de Sac art, says Comic Riffs

THIS JUST IN: First new art from 'Calvin and Hobbes' creator in 16 years, syndicate says

Special 'Teaser' online now at Team Cul de Sac

There's a special 'Teaser' of Petey online now at Team Cul de Sac.

Post on Mia and the Migoo cartoon

Empty heads save ecosystem
By Rachel Saslow
Washington Post Friday, April 22, 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/mia-and-the-migoo,1159167/critic-review.html

Truitt on Thor and Matt Fraction

Matt Fraction embraces 'Mighty' side of Thor
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY April 20 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-04-20-MightyThor_N.htm

Team Cul de Sac updates

Alex Hallat's Arctic Circle and Crow's Not Just Nicky.

Keeping watching the site for big news.

USA Today on animation studios

Studios keep in 'toon with the times
By Susan Wloszczyna, USA TODAY April 22 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2011-04-22-animation22_st_N.htm

Thursday, April 21, 2011

April 23: Heroclix Tournament & Demo at Beyond Comics









Beyond Comics

Beyond Comics Heroclix Tournament...

Saturday April 23rd

1:00pm to 2:00pm

Free Demonstration.

Learn to play Heroclix

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2:00pm to 5:00pm

Giant Size X-men Tournament

$2 Entry Fee

Prizes include $25 Gift Card, Limited Edition GSX Figures 

At Beyond Comics

5632 Buckeystown Pike Frederick, MD 21704  

 

 

 

 

 

(301) 668-8202

 

 


Beyond Comics | Gaithersburg Square | 536 North Frederick Avenue | Gaithersburg | MD | 20878

June 9: Nick Galifianakis in Falls Church

Thurs, June 9, 7 pm: A very fun evening with Nick Galifianakis, author of If You Loved Me, You'd Think This Was Cute: Uncomfortably True Cartoons About You

One More Page | 2200 N. Westmoreland Street | #101 | Arlington | VA | 22213

John Geddes on Round Table Press

Motivational all-stars use graphic novels to inspire
By John Geddes, USA TODAY
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-04-20-roundtable19-ST_N.htm

Weldon on Mister Wonderful by Clowes

'Mister Wonderful' Pictures An Imperfect Romance
by Glen Weldon
Books We Like April 20, 2011
http://www.npr.org/2011/04/20/135539779/mister-wonderful-pictures-an-imperfect-romance

Monkey Sees the Sandman

Book Club: Neil Gaiman's 'The Sandman: Dream Country,' Part One

by Linda Holmes and Glen Weldon

April 21, 2011

http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/04/21/135598864/book-club-neil-gaimans-the-sandman-dream-country-part-one?

 

Ben Claassen does scientific illustration

Ben Claassen does an unexpected scientific illustration in today's Express, drawing how nerve cells work when you're happy.
 
He also draws a brain playing poker with a cupcake and a Blackberry.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

US News talks to political cartoon historian Stephen Hess

Cartoonists Finally Cool With Black President
By Caitlin Huey-Burns , Paul Bedard
US News and World Report April 19, 2011
http://www.usnews.com/news/washington-whispers/articles/2011/04/19/cartoonists-finally-cool-with-black-president

Ms Huey-Burns asked him a few questions after the National Archives lecture.

Truitt on Vampire Academy

First look: 'Vampire Academy' bites into graphic-novel market
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY August 18 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-04-18-vampire-academy_N.htm


Tuesday, April 19, 2011

New Flugennock cartoon online


Truitt on '68

' '68': There will be zombie blood
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY April 18 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-04-18-68zombie_N.htm

Kal says, "RIP Willie Don Schaefer"

Kal says
I was saddened to hear of the passing of the great Maryland politician William Donald Schaefer.  I have created a cartoon homage to "Willie Don" on my blog. For those of you interested you can view it here:


Best  wishes,

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


Monday, April 18, 2011

Daily Cartoonist says Gary Varvel wins RFK Award

Alan Gardner at the Daily Cartoonist says Gary Varvel has tweeted that he's won the RFK Award.

I think this is pretty trustworthy.

Washington Times on Spider-Man

Damage to Spider-Man brand may have Disney climbing the walls

By Daniel Holloway - Special to The Washington Times

 April 17, 2011

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/apr/17/unfriendly-neighborhood-spider-brand/

PR: Kal event in San Francisco Museum

From Kevin Kallaugher:

 
I wanted to alert you to an event at The Cartoon Art Museum on April 28th which is being held in conjunction with my exhibition currently on display there:


Thanks!

Kal


Kevin Kallaugher

The iKAL iPhone App is now available at the iTunes store.







Sunday, April 17, 2011

Truitt's recent comics stories

'Cobra Civil War' puts the G.I. Joe team on guard
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-04-12-CobraCivilWarZero_N.htm

First look: 'Pigs' warms up a Cold War story
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-04-13-PigsComic_N.htm

O Canada! Alpha Flight returns in Point One issue
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-04-13-AlphaFlightPointOne_N.htm


Zadzooks on Batman Beyond


Zadzooks: Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker and Tron: Legacy
Joker up to old tricks
By Joseph Szadkowski
The Washington Times April 14, 2011
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/apr/14/zadzooks-batman-beyond-return-joker-tron-legacy/

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Cavna on Pulitzer possibilities

These are all excellent choices.

HANDICAPPING THE PULITZERS: Which cartoonists might get the call next week?
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog April 14 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/handicapping-the-pulitzers-which-cartoonists-might-get-the-call-next-week/2011/04/13/AFzI7qdD_blog.html

More on Frank Lewis, Stafford County Sun cartoonist

Sun cartoonist led full life
By Tracy Bell
April 13, 2011
http://www2.staffordcountysun.com/news/2011/apr/13/sun-cartoonist-led-full-life-ar-970036/

April 21: Lecture on William Kentridge at Library of Congress

William Kentridge: 'Stone Age Drawing,'

 

  Cartoon Logic & South Africa's Process of Change

 

An Illustrated Lecture by Dr. Leora Maltz-Leca

SWANN  FOUNDATION  FELLOW, 2010-2011

         



 

 THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2011, AT 12 NOON

in Whittall Pavilion, Jefferson Building, LJWH

                                                                   Ground floor

 

Sponsored by the Swann Foundation for Caricature and Cartoon

and the Prints &Photographs Division of the Library of Congress  

 

          Request ADA Accommodations five business days in advance at (202) 707-6362 TTY or "ADA@loc.gov"

For further information, email swann@loc.gov or call Martha Kennedy at (202) 707-9115.

Weldon on the comics industry

 

OT: New webcomic by John Kovaleski, MAD Magazine artist

My friend John Kovaleski would like you to know about his new webcomic -

John Kovaleski has launched a new webcomic called "Dadding Badly" - all true tales of a first-time father. Not your typical parenthood stories, "Dadding Badly" has already covered such hot topics as leprechaun impersonations, square cows, and how many times you can hit your father in the head with an empty Kleenex box. Attached is a sample comic.  Please visit the site below for more fathering fun.

http://daddingbadly.com/

John Kovaleski is a cartoonist and humorous illustrator. He is the creator of the comic strip "Bo Nanas," which was syndicated by the Washington Post Writers Group from 2003 to 2007, and collected in the books "Monkey Meets World" (2005) and "APPEELING: The Best of Bo Nanas" (2008). He is also a frequent contributor to MAD Magazine, making him one of the "usual gang of idiots."


------------------------------------------------
You can see more of my work here:
http://www.kovaleski.com/

As always you can find  out too much about me on my blog:
http://kovaleski.wordpress.com/

Or follow me on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/johnkovaleski

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

2 new pieces on Team Cul de Sac blog

There's 2 new pieces on the Team Cul de Sac blog - local cartoonist Steve Artley and Stephan Pastis.

Start saving your money now to bid early and often.

April 13: Hess and Northrup on political cartoons at National Archives

Stephen Hess and Sandy Northrup speak on their new book, Drawn & Quartered: The History of American Political Cartoons tomorrow:
Wednesday, April 13, 7PM, National Archives, McGowan Theater


I'll be at this.

A Drop's Life cartoon on the DC water pollution

Here's the article about a nice little cartoon on about treating runoff pollution - "A Drop's Life," produced by Free Range Studios, tells the story of DC Water's Clean Rivers Project from the perspective of a single water drop."

New Cartoon Explains DC Water Project
(WUSA) Apr 12, 2011
http://wusa9.com/news/article/146465/373/New-Cartoon-Explains-DC-Water-Project

And the A Drop's Life cartoon is on Youtube.

Flugennock answers "Are You In?"

http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=824 - click here to see his comments and cartoons.

May 6 - June 4: We Are Monsters exhibit features local cartoonists

Lifted from Facebook, courtesy of Carolyn Belefski. Marc Crisafulli, Carolyn and Evan Keeling are cartoonists that I know.

We Are Monsters

Friday, May 6 at 7:00pm - June 4 at 6:00pm
________________________________
Location
Pleasant Plains Workshop
2608 Georgia Avenue NW
Washington, DC
________________________________
More Info
A hand-picked group of over twenty artists, illustrators, and designers are bringing the beasts to the heart of DC. Dual heads, third-eyes, cloven hoofs, purple fur, and forked tongues will be found in obscene abundance. Media will include painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, maybe even a little video.

Opening Friday May 6, from 7–9pm at Pleasant Plains Workshop. Artists include

Marc Crisafulli
Carolyn Belefski
Greg Pizzoli
Dana Jeri Maier
Antonio Peters
Adam Dwight
Elizabeth Graeber
John Foster
Rich Bernett
Tim Gibbon
Melinda Rainsberger
Catherine Smith
Josh Dihle
Mike O'Brien
Allison Glancey
Ivan Anic
Evan Keeling
Kristina Bilonick
Stephanie Kwak
Steve Loya
Jodi Hoover
Lisa Adang
Pia Blumenthal
Anthony Dihle

Monday, April 11, 2011

PR: Alterna Comics and Rafer Roberts present PLASTIC FARM: SOWING SEEDS ON FERTILE SOIL TPB


Alterna Comics and Rafer Roberts present PLASTIC FARM: SOWING SEEDS ON FERTILE SOIL TPB

A revised edition of the critically acclaimed underground comic book series PLASTIC FARM to be released through Alterna.

Alterna Publisher Peter Simeti and Plastic Farm creator Rafer Roberts have announced that a new revised edition of PLASTIC FARM: SOWING SEEDS ON FERTILE SOIL will be released through Alterna Comics in June 2011 and can be found in Diamond's April Previews catalog, order code APR110754. "Sowing Seeds" is the first volume in the epic PLASTIC FARM comic book series about a man who is losing his mind and how that madness reshapes reality in many strange, terrifying and hilarious ways.

To celebrate this new edition, creator Rafer Roberts has gone back into these early works and digitally cleaned up much of the artwork and re-lettered a large portion of the comic."I didn't know what I was doing early on," says Roberts. "Most of the lettering in the early issues was pretty terrible and mostly unreadable and I saw this team-up with Alterna as the perfect opportunity to correct some my youthful ignorance." Roberts sates that he spent "about a month doing new hand-lettering for the book. There's at least 100 pages with new lettering, which works out to be about a third of the book." Roberts laughs when thinking about the process. "This process about killed my wrist, but seeing the final product, I can say it was absolutely worth it."

Aside from an obvious facelift, the edition being released through Alterna will boast 352 pages in black and white with an affordable price tag of $19.99.
Alterna has been publishing creator-owned titles since 2006 and PLASTIC FARM will be no exception to that rule. With a line-up of more than 30 graphic novels in 5 years, Alterna has one of the largest libraries of creator-owned work for a small press publisher. The partnership with Alterna will allow for wider distribution and visibility for PLASTIC FARM.

"I'm ecstatic about partnering with Peter and Alterna", says Roberts. "I've long admired the other books they've put out, like AMERICAN TERROR and THE CHAIR, and to be part of this team is a thrill."Simeti echoed Roberts' comments, "Rafer has been great to work with and I couldn't be happier about having PLASTIC FARM as the second addition to our Partnership Program. We've already had a lot of success with Jeff McComsey's FUBAR as our initial selection for the program and I feel strongly that we'll repeat that success with PLASTIC FARM. It's a great book with a compelling story – what more could you want?"

PLASTIC FARM has been described as "A really strange, really engrossing good comic book" by CEREBUS creator Dave Sim and as "An epic descent into madness and, not coincidentally, hilarity" by Rob Vollmar, the Eisner nominated author of CASTAWAYS and BLUESMAN.

PLASTIC FARM began publication in 2000 as a series of mini-comics and has been published in print and online. PLASTIC FARM: SOWING SEEDS ON FERTILE SOIL is written and mostly drawn by Rafer  Roberts, and features artwork from Danielle Corsetto (Girls With Slingshots), Dennis Culver (ONI's TRUE TALES OF ROLLER DERBY), Dave Morgan, Wendi Strang-Frost (JOHNNY PUBLIC, ELFQUEST) and Jake Warrenfeltz (MAGIC BULLET, TRICKSTER).

For more information about PLASTIC FARM, please visit: http://www.plasticfarm.com
ISBN: 9780981457024
For more information about Alterna Comics and their Partnership Program, please visit: http://www.alternacomics.com

A pdf preview of the collection can be downloaded here:
http://plasticfarm.com/alterna/PlasticFarm-free-preview.pdf



###



Rafer Roberts
Plastic Farm Press
http://www.plasticfarm.com
813 S. Potomac Street
Hagerstown, MD 21740
301-992-7719

Comic books uh-oh

Beyond Comics puts out a weekly newsletter, listing the new comics and the like coming  out that week.

This list caught my eye as an egregious sign that speculation is back in the comic book market:

Variant Covers
 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN THOR GOES HOLLYWOOD VAR #658
 BATMAN AND ROBIN VAR ED #22
 BLACK PANTHER MAN WITHOUT FEAR THOR GOES TO HOLLYWOOD #517
 FLASH VAR ED #10
 GI JOE VOL 2 10 COPY INCV #1
 HELLBOY BUSTER OAKLEY GETS HIS WISH MIGNOLA VAR
 IRON MAN 2.0 DJURDJEVIC VAR #3
 JOHN BYRNE NEXT MEN 10 COPY INCV #5
 JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY A ADAMS VAR #622
 JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY THOR GOES HOLLYWOOD VAR #62
 JUSTICE LEAGUE GENERATION LOST VAR ED #23
 NEW AVENGERS THOR GOES HOLLYWOOD VAR #11
 SHIELD INFINITY WEAVER VAR
 SKAAR KING OF SAVAGE LAND TAN VAR #1
 SUPERMAN VAR ED #710
 TRANSFORMERS ONGOING 10 COPY INCV #18
 TRANSFORMERS RISING STORM 10 COPY INCV #3
 ULTIMATE AVENGERS VS NEW ULTIMATES CHO VAR #3
 ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN MCGUINNESS VAR #157
 UNCANNY X-FORCE THOR GOES HOLLYWOOD VAR #7
 UNCANNY X-MEN THOR GOES HOLLYWOOD VAR #535
 WARLORD OF MARS DEJAH THORIS 10 COPY A ADAMS VIRGIN VAR #2
 X-MEN LEGACY THOR GOES HOLLYWOOD VAR #247

...almost 25 variant covers in one week?  Not good.

More on the Stafford County Sun's Frank Lewis

Tom Spurgeon of the Comics Reporter dug more into Frank Lewis' career and found these two articles:

Lewis contributes to children's book
By Stafford County Sun Staff
January 26, 2011
http://www2.staffordcountysun.com/news/2011/jan/26/lewis-contributes-childrens-book-ar-800749/


Frank Lewis: cartoonist and combatant
By BEN BLANKENSHIP / Stafford County Sun
 May 09, 2007
http://www2.staffordcountysun.com/lifestyles/2007/may/09/frank_lewis_cartoonist_and_combatant_05_09_07_scs-ar-296219/

Richard Thompson quoted in Little Nemo article

Winsor McCay's 'Little Nemo' brought a new animated spirit to film 100 years ago
Charles Solomon
April 11, 2011
http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2011/04/11/winsor-mccays-little-nemo-brought-a-new-animated-spirit-to-film-100-years-ago/

Daniel Boris still in Cartoonist Studio contest

According to his Facebook page, Daniel Boris is still in the running for the Cartoonist Studio contest.

Al Goodwyn is still in Cartoonist Studio contest

Al Goodwyn wrote in:

Just wanted you to know that the contest is still progressing.  So far I've made it into Round 7 of this 10 Round competition.  They've eliminated 70 cartoonists so far.

Here's the link to this week's entry of mine:http://tinyurl.com/6y9llrn

Here's the link to what they call the Amateur Cubicle where I have quite a few of my cartoons posted:http://tinyurl.com/3o4tzos


Artley wins 2 Virginia Press Association Awards

Steve Artley has won a couple of awards -

Saturday, I attended the Virginia Press Association awards banquet in Norfolk. I and several hundred others received awards. Just like last year, I got 1st and 2nd place for editorial cartooning in non-daily publications (they call the category "illustrations"). Last year I came home with the  Best in Show plaque, but didn't get it this time (sniff).

First Place: http://www.omnicontests3.com/vpa/omnigallery/entry/gallery_item_info.cfm?child=1&client_id=1&entry_id=4126&competition_id=2&gallery_item_id=743

 

Saturday, April 09, 2011

Tomorrow: Capicons convention

Capicons Comic Book and Pop Culture Con
Sunday, April 10 · 10:00am - 3:00pm
________________________________
Location
Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire And Rescue Department
2148 Gallows Road
Dunn Loring, VA
________________________________
More Info
Special Guest: Rafer Roberts--creator of Plastic Farm, and editor of D.C. Conspiracy's Magic Bullet! More TBA!

Admission $3 - Kids FREE!

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

Thursday, April 07, 2011

Former local comics journalist Scott Rosenberg recommends comics in NY

MoCCA: Seek out these comics and graphic novels
By Scott A. Rosenberg
amNY 4/6/11
http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/mocca-seek-out-these-comics-and-graphic-novels-1.2804543

Washingtonian Shannon Gallant identified as 'Oklahoman S.L. Gallant' in profile

Former Oklahoman S.L. Gallant to draw Family Guy comics
Matt Price
nerdblog April 6, 2011M
http://blog.newsok.com/nerdage/2011/04/06/former-oklahoman-s-l-gallant-to-draw-family-guy-comics/

Library of Congress Personal Archiving Day on April 30

Many comic collectors have their own archive of course...



April 7, 2011

Public contact: William Lefurgy (202) 707-8618, wlef@loc.gov

Pass It On:  Personal Archiving Day at the Library of Congress on April 30

Personal treasures should be safeguarded so that future generations can share in the collective memories of loved ones. Advice on how to preserve and protect precious digital and traditional photos, documents, recordings and more will be presented on Personal Archiving Day at the Library of Congress.

Pass it On: Personal Archiving Day at the Library of Congress will be  held on Saturday, April 30, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in LJ 119, first floor of the Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. S.E., Washington D.C. The event is free and open to the public; no tickets or reservations are needed.

Library staff will be on hand to talk directly with individuals about how to manage and preserve their collections. There will also be videos and printed information available. For security reasons, attendees are asked not to bring collection materials to the event. No appraisals will be provided. For information about visiting the Library go to www.loc.gov/visit/.

Pass it On: Personal Archiving Day at the Library of Congress celebrates Preservation Week (April 24-30), www.ala.org/preservationweek/. This joint initiative of the Library, the American Library Association, the Institute for Museum and Library Services and other partner organizations highlights libraries and other collecting institutions as excellent sources of preservation information. The Library's Personal Archiving Day is co-sponsored by the Library's Office of Strategic Initiatives and Library Services.

 "It is a great pleasure for us to be able to help families preserve their photograph collections," said Laura Campbell, associate librarian for Strategic Initiatives. "Digital technology in particular provides new challenges and opportunities to keeping  photographs accessible over time and across generations."

Deanna Marcum, associate librarian for Library Services, said "Many of the collections currently held by the Library of Congress came originally from personal collectors. It is in the best interest of the Library to help families preserve memorabilia that help trace the history of our communities and nation."

To learn more about the event and to sign up for free digital preservation updates, visit www.digitalpreservation.gov.  

Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution and the largest library in the world, with nearly 145 million items in various languages, disciplines and formats. The Library serves the U.S. Congress and the nation both on-site, in its reading rooms on Capitol Hill, and through its award-winning website at www.loc.gov. Many of the Library's rich resources and treasures may also be accessed via interactive exhibitions on a personalized website at myLOC.gov.

The Office of Strategic Initiatives, National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program is pursuing a national strategy to collect, preserve and make available significant digital content, especially information that is created in digital form only, for current and future generations.

# # #

PR 11-077
04/07/10
ISSN 0731-3527

Stafford County Sun cartoonist Frank Lewis dies

Sun cartoonist dies
By Stafford County Sun  April 06, 2011
http://www2.staffordcountysun.com/news/2011/apr/06/sun-cartoonist-dies-ar-954693/

Frank Lewis was 89.

2 local publications up for Eisner Awards

2 local publications are up for Eisner Awards - Trickster in best anthology and USA Today's comics blog for best journalism.

Good luck!

Please let me know if I missed anyone else.

Wuerker comments on Village Voice's non-paying comics issue

Village Voice blasted for not paying 'Comics Issue' contributors
 by Jim Romenesko
Poynter Apr. 7, 2011
http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/romenesko/127034/village-voice-blasted-for-not-paying-comics-issue-contributors/

The original story is here:
 

The Comics Issue: If Cartoons Are So Big, Why Don't They Pay?

Drawn and nickled and dimed

By Roy Edroso

Apr 6 2011

http://www.villagevoice.com/2011-04-06/news/the-comics-issue-if-cartoons-are-so-big-why-don-t-they-pay/

David Hagen's Carrot Ride featured in today's Express

David Hagen's Carrot Ride is the illustration featured in today's Express highlighting an Artomatic show at National Airport.