Mahendra Singh, former local cartoonist, profiled at length by Comics Journal

Carroll, Cross-Contour, and the Demi-Fecund Ram: An Interview with Mahendra Singh
BY Sean Michael Robinson Jul 12, 2011
http://www.tcj.com/carroll-cross-contour-and-the-demi-fecund-ram-an-interview-with-mahendra-singh/

...Mahendra Singh was born in Libya ("against his better judgment," reads one of his official bios) to German and Indian parents. Although he lived in Washington, DC for many years, he is now a resident of Montreal, where he works as an illustrator. His full-length comic debut was the (very) short-lived Adventures of Mr. Pyridine, published by Fantagraphics in 1989. ...

PR: Swann Foundation for Caricature and Cartoon Announces Fellowships

Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave. SE
Washington DC   20540

July 13, 2011

 Swann Foundation Announces Fellowships for 2011-2012

The Caroline and Erwin Swann Foundation for Caricature and Cartoon, administered by the Library of Congress, announces fellowship awards to four applicants for the 2011-2012 academic year: Lara Saguisag, Margaret Samu, Masha Kowell and Jeremy Stoll.

The award winners will use the Library’s collections to explore the following topics: child characters in early American comic strips; Russian caricature as a form of art criticism; political satire in Soviet posters; and the recent use of comic-book format by artists in India.

Due to an unusually large number of strong applications, the foundation's advisory board did not award a single fellowship this year but instead decided to support four applicants’ projects with smaller awards.

Lara Saguisag, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Childhood Studies, Rutgers University, will conduct research for her dissertation “Drawing the Lines of Innocence: Representations of Childhood in Early American Comic Strips, 1896-1920.”  Focusing on “kid strips,” or comic strips that featured child protagonists, she will investigate why the child became a popular subject in early American comics.  She will analyze how these works at once reflected and shaped contemporary beliefs and anxieties about childhood.  She will study original drawings by such creators as Rudolph Dirks, Lyonel Feininger, Winsor McCay and R.F. Outcault, whose works are well represented in the cartoon collections of the Library’s Prints and Photographs Division.

Margaret Samu, a lecturer in the Education Department of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, will work on her postdoctoral research project titled “Russian Caricature and Art Criticism 1850-1910.”  Caricature in Russian periodicals became a significant outlet for voicing opinions on the state of the art world during the turbulent period of artistic and social reforms that Samu’s study covers. She will draw on the Library’s strong holdings of Russian satirical and political periodicals in her study, the first to address caricatures on art, in contrast with most work in the field, which has focused on political caricature.

Masha Kowell, a doctoral candidate in the History of Art Department at the University of Pennsylvania, will conduct research for her dissertation “Agit-plakat: Political Posters of the Thaw (1956-1967).”  Her project focuses on Soviet political satire produced by the publishing house Agit-plakat.  As an official player in the process of de-Stalinization, this publisher facilitated the transformation of caricature into a vehicle for previously forbidden stylistic diversity and formal experimentation.  The Library’s holdings of the Soviet humor magazine Krokodil and many Soviet posters will provide the main basis for Kowell’s comparative and contextual study of Agit-plakat iconography.

Jeremy Stoll, a Ph.D. candidate in Folklore and Ethnomusicology at Indiana University, will pursue research for his dissertation “Drawing Down the Nation: Reviving Folklore and Social Justice Through Comics in India.”  Stoll will explore how contemporary Indian artists combine regional folklore with comic-book format to produce visual narratives that convey to mass audiences the urgency of social change arising from industrialization and globalization.  He will study examples of recently published Indian comic books and the American roots of these works in the Library’s extensive comic-book collections.  

New York advertising executive Erwin Swann (1906‑1973) established the Swann Foundation for Caricature and Cartoon in 1967.  An avid collector, Swann assembled a large group of original drawings by over 500 artists, spanning two centuries, which his estate bequeathed to the Library of Congress in the 1970s. Swann's original purpose was to build a collection of original drawings by significant creators of humorous and satiric art and to encourage the study of original cartoon and caricature drawings as works of art.  The foundation=s support of research and academic publication is carried out in part through a program of fellowships.

# # #

PR11-132
7/13/11
ISSN: 0731-3527

 

Heroes Con panel on classic comic strips now online

Here's a panel that I moderated, but I haven't listened to the recording yet:

HeroesCon 2011: Taking over the Property-The Comic Strips
Dollar Bin podcast July 7, 2011
http://www.thedollarbin.net/shows/heroescon-2011-taking-over-the-property-the-comic-strips.html
http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/www.thedollarbin.net/storage/shows/audio/Discussion-Taking-Over-the-Property-Comic-Strips.mp3

The Comic Strips—As always, this is another great year for the classic comic strips at HeroesCon. How do you follow a cartooning legend and take those already established characters and work to make them your own? Mike Rhode will ask veteran cartoonists Jim Scancarelli (Gasoline Alley), Marcus Hamilton (Dennis the Menace), Alex Saviuk (Spider-man) and we will be joined by welcome veteran newbie: Joe Staton (Dick Tracy)

Runtime 1 hour 05 minutes 47 seconds

Comic Riffs on Womanthology

THE WOMAN BEHIND 'WOMANTHOLOGY': Renae De Liz sees inspiration blossom for 140 female artists
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog (July 12 2011)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/the-woman-behind-womanthology-renae-de-liz-sees-inspiration-blossom-for-female-artists/2011/07/11/gIQARTobAI_blog.html

Truitt on Flashpoint

Midpoint of 'Flashpoint' focuses on heroic relationships
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY July 5 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-07-05-Midpoint-of-Flashpoint-comic-focuses-on-heroic-relationships_n.htm

USA Today on Xenoholics and Marvel's Alonso

Love of aliens and quirky mystery spawns 'Xenoholics'
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY July 11 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-07-11-Love-of-aliens-quirky-mystery-spawn-new-comic-series-Xenoholics_n.htm

Meet Axel Alonso, the main man at Marvel Comics
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY July 11 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-07-11-axel-alonso-marvel-comics_n.htm

Comic Riffs interviews Stephen Hess on political cartoons

Fresh off Press Club award, author insists that the American political cartoon still matters
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog July 11 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/fresh-off-press-club-award-author-insists-that-the-american-political-cartoon-still-matters/2011/07/08/gIQAOS0t8H_blog.html

Winnie the Pooh animation in today's Express

The Gang is Back: For its 'Pooh' reboot, Disney sticks with traditional animation.

Angela Dawson / Entertainment News Wire

Express (July 11 2011, p. 25)

Brandon Graham on Carla McNeil

Good long interview here:

 

Emma Peel Sessions 62 – Brandon Graham Interview
Supervillain blog 07/02/2011 by sean witzke
http://supervillain.wordpress.com/2011/07/02/emma-peel-sessions-62-brandon-graham-interview/

and here's the pull quote:

 

Carla Speed McNeil

I feel like her work shows how big comics can be. She does such a great example of what I was talking about earlier with clear enough storytelling over dense complex backgrounds.

Recently I got to do a panel with her at a con and took her calling me babe the way other dudes would take home an Eisner.

PR: Comic Book Diner relaunches Kickstarter campaign

Project Update #18: We've Relaunched the Buzzboy/Roboy/Leon Graphic Novel Collection!

Posted by Comic Book Diner - John, Rich & Jamar

NEW KICKSTARTER PROJECT: Buzzboy/Roboy/Leon Graphic Novel Collection! Hey folks– we've resubmitted and started up a new Kickstarter Project, with some nifty changes to the books, and some very col rewards, like hardcover editions of the Roboy, Buzzboy and Leon Books, original art, and even a chance to have a cameo in the books– if you backed us once we hope you'll do it again! If you missed it last time– here's your chance! Click the link below, or the pic above to get the full scoop! Thanks for your previous support-- hopefully you'll come join the fun again! NEW KICKSTARTER PROJECT: Buzzboy/Roboy/Leon Graphic Novel Collection!

USA Today on Savage Dragons' bin Laden

Osama bin Laden returns in the pages of 'Savage Dragon'
By Brian Truitt
USA Today July 6 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-07-06-Osama-bin-Laden-returns-in-Savage-Dragon-comic-series_n.htm

PR: Small Press Expo announces Pizza Island as guests for SPX 2011, with Kate Beaton, Sarah Glidden, Lisa Hanawalt, Domitille Collardey, Julia Wertz and Meredith Gran

Small Press Expo Announces Pizza Island as guests for SPX 2011, with Kate Beaton, Sarah Glidden, Lisa Hanawalt, Domitille Collardey, Julia Wertz and Meredith Gran

 

For Immediate Release                              Contact: Warren Bernard

                                                                       E-Mail: warren@spxpo.com

Bethesda, Maryland; July 7, 2011 – The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels and alternative political cartoons is pleased to announce that the cartoonist studio Pizza Island—composed of Kate Beaton, Sarah Glidden, Lisa Hanawalt, Domitille Collardey, Julia Wertz, and Meredith Gran—will be guests for SPX 2011, held September 10–11, 2011, at the Marriott North Bethesda Hotel and Conference Center in Bethesda, Maryland, next to the White Flint Metro station. 

These guests are in addition to the previously announced cartoonists Roz Chast, Craig Thompson, Jim Woodring, Chester Brown, Johnny Ryan, Jim Rugg, Jay Stephens, Matthew Thurber, Ann Telnaes, and Diane Noomin.

Kate Beaton's Hark! A Vagrant is one of the most popular web comics, receiving over 500,000 unique hits a month. This fall it will be celebrated in a collection published by Drawn and Quarterly. Visit her site at http://www.harkavagrant.com.

Sarah Glidden is the creator of the well-reviewed How To Understand Israel In 60 Days Or Less, published by Vertigo Books. She is now working as a citizen journalist touring Syria for the Common Language Project to study the Iraqi refugee problem, posting her cartoon commentaries from this trip at http://www.cartoonmovement.com/comic/10. Visit her web site at http://www.smallnoises.com.

Lisa Hanawalt is a cartoonist and illustrator whose work was published in The New York Times, Vice Magazine, McSweeneys, The Believer and Glamour. In 2009, her mini-comic Stay Away From Other People won an Ignatz Award, and she followed that up in 2010 with I Want You #1 winning the Ignatz Award for Outstanding Comic. Her web site is http://lisahanawalt.com.

Julia Wertz has had two volumes of her popular web comic series Fart Party published by Atomic Books. Her latest book is Drinking at the Movies from Three Rivers Press, which details her migration from San Francisco to New York City. Julia's web site is http://www.juliawertz.com.

Meredith Gran is the author of Octopus Pie: There Are No Stars In Brooklyn, which was published by Villard Books, a Random House subsidiary. A compilation of her web comic, you can see new episodes regularly at http://www.octopuspie.com.

Domitille Collardey is a cartoonist and illustrator, having worked for a number of French magazines as well as McSweeneys. She is currently working on another comic book for Editions Delcourt.

For detailed information about all of our announced guests, visit the SPX web site at www.spxpo.com.

SPX culminates with the presentation of the Ignatz Awards for outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning on Saturday night, September 10 at 9PM. The event is open to the public. The Ignatz is the first Festival Prize in the US comic book industry, voted on by SPX attendees. 

SPX is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit that brings together more than 300 artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers and distributors each year. Graphic novels, mini comics, and alternative comics will all be on display and for sale by their authors and illustrators, as well as a series of panel discussions and interviews with this year's guests.

As in previous years, profits from the SPX will go to support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), protecting the First Amendment rights of comic book readers and professionals. For more information on the CBLDF, go to their website at http://www.cbldf.org.

The hours for SPX 2011 are 11am–7pm Saturday, September 10, and 12–6pm Sunday, September 11. Admission is $10 for a single day or $15 for the weekend.

OT: Local artist Rob Liberace profiled

Local fine artist Rob Liberace is briefly profiled here - I know him slightly, and am in awe of his work.

Cars 2 animator from PG County

'CARS 2' animator Bob Moyer embodies Pixar 2.0: The Next Generation [in print as 'Local color was his inspiration', p. C2].

By Michael Cavna

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog (July 6, 2011): http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/cars-2-animator-bob-moyer-embodies-pixar-20-the-next-generation/2011/06/27/gIQAJXve0H_blog.html

Cul de Sac nominated for Harvey Award

Cul de Sac is nominated for a Harvey Award which will be decided on at the Baltimore Comic Con this year.

Photos of recent DC-area comics events

2nd DC Comic Con

Daring to Draw: An Evening with Political Cartoonists from Around the World

Steven Weinberg and Casey Scieszka signing "To Timbuktu"

Abadzis's 'Laika' graphic novel gets new endings for Big Planet Comics

Big Planet Comics says "To help us celebrate our 25th anniversary, Nick Abadzis is going to be posting alternative endings to Big-Planet-favorite graphic novel Laika on our web page!"

Wow, this is totally cool, if ahistorical. Abadzis has a note about why he's doing this, under the first imaginary happy ending for the Russian space dog.

And Big Planet has a podcast? Since June? Who knew?

Californian cartoonist Monte Wolverton a "Beltway cartoonist?"

"I'm told some consider me a `Beltway cartoonist,'" Wolverton said.

 

To see why, read:

 

Cartoonist drawn to sharp views: B.G.'s Wolverton also pursues artistic endeavors
By Mary Ann Albright, Columbian Staff Reporter
Saturday, July 2, 2011
http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/jul/02/cartoonist-drawn-to-sharp-views/

Cul de Sac might be Chris Schweitzer's favorite comic strip

Find out why or why not at this interview (and let me parenthetically note that I love, LOVE, Chris's Crogan adventure stories -

Chris Schweizer - Cartoonist Survey #231
by David Paccia
June 27, 2011
http://david-wasting-paper.blogspot.com/2011/06/chris-schweizer-cartoonist-survey-231.html

Print available from Bill Day, 2010 RFK award winner

Bill Day, who was the 2010 RFK editorial award winner (of which I was a judge, hence this post), is selling a signed print of a cartoon about New York's support of gay rights - for ordering details, see

http://www.smartcitymemphis.com/2011/07/get-signed-limited-edition-of-bill-days-i-love-ny-t-shirt/

Post on Spider-Man musical

In unraveling choreography, Broadway's 'Spider-man' loses superpowers
By Sarah Kaufman
Washington Post July 3 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/in-unraveling-choreography-broadways-spider-man-loses-superpowers/2011/06/27/AG5AY4tH_story.html

PR: Cards Comics and Collectibles Independence Day Sale

Cards Comics and Collectibles 3-Day Independence Day Sale

Press Release For Immediate Release

Cards Comics and Collectibles 3-Day Independence Day Sale   From the Store that Brings You the Baltimore Comic-Con...   CARDS COMICS AND COLLECTIBLES INDEPENDENCE DAY SALE IS JULY 2ND-4TH!    50% OFF: ALL TRADE PAPER BACKS AND HARDCOVERS! 50% OFF:  TOYS, STATUES, AND TOON TUMBLERS!   Our address:  100 A Chartley Dr., Reisterstown, MD  21136 Sale Hours:  Saturday, 11am-7pm; Sunday, 12pm-5pm; Monday, 12pm-6:30pm For more information, call Cards Comics and Collectibles:  410-526-7410   See you there!

July 2: Magic The Gathering Tournament Saturday at Beyond Comics

Beyond Comics Magic The Gathering Tournament At Our Gaithersburg Location  Saturday July 2nd   1:00pm to 6:00pm     MTG Scars Block Sealed Tournament This event will be a Scars of Mirrodin Block Sealed event.   Fee: $25 (+tax)   includes 6 boosters (2 each of Scars of Mirrodin, Mirrodin Besieged, and New Phyrexia).    Additional basic Lands will be available for deck building.   Basic Rules:  Use sealed product to build a deck that contains a minimum of 40 cards.   3 or 4 round tournament (depending upon attendance).   Swiss style (play every round win or lose).   Prizes:  Booster packs for top finishers. WPN Promo cards will also be available  (Exactly how they will be awarded is yet to be determined, and may depend on attendance). Find out more information or RSVP on Facebook...       Pre-register Here   Magic Tournament Pre-Registration    Stay Tuned For More Tournament Dates: Stay Tuned For More Tournament Dates: At Beyond Comics 536 North Frederick Ave. Gaithersburg, MD 20877     (301) 216-0007

Comic Riffs on the closure of United Media syndicate

RIP, UNITED MEDIA: A century-old syndicate closes its historic doors
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog July 1 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/rip-united-media-a-century-old-syndicate-closes-its-historic-doors/2011/07/01/AGThVctH_blog.html

A lesson drawn from Jim Hunt's interview

Big-Time Cartoonist Still Draws from Craigslist Want Ads
By Richard Horgan
Fishbowl LA blog June 29, 2011
http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlla/jim-hunt-fox-sports-craigslist-patriot-ledger_b32498

July 13: Disney animation panel at Press Club

Disney Television Animation Set for National Press Club's First-Ever Animation Panel Featuring Hit Disney Channel Series "Phineas and Ferb" and "Fish Hooks"
Panelists Include Chelsea Kane, Kyle Massey, Alyson Stoner, Jack McBrayer, Maulik Pancholy, Bobby Gaylor and Justin Roiland --

BURBANK, Calif., June 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Disney Television Animation is slated to present the Emmy Award-winning and BAFTA-nominated series "Phineas and Ferb," and hit innovative comedy series "Fish Hooks" at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. on WEDNESDAY, JULY 13 (7:00 – 9:00 p.m., ET/PT).  This presentation marks the National Press Club's first-ever animation panel. ....

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/disney-television-animation-set-for-national-press-clubs-first-ever-animation-panel-featuring-hit-disney-channel-series-phineas-and-ferb-and-fish-hooks-124700723.html

Virginia Film Festival calls for animation submissions

Va. Film Festival calls for submissions from area filmmakers

University of Virginia Jun. 29, 2011 

 http://www.newsleader.com/article/20110629/NEWS01/110629001/Va-Film-Festival-calls-submissions-from-area-filmmakers

Glen Weldon rounds up comics news

Funnybook Round-Up: Of Lawsuits, Ladies And Also, For Some Reason, 'Burn Notice'

by Glen Weldon

National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (June  29, 2011)

http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/06/29/137469549/funnybook-round-up-of-lawsuits-ladies-and-also-for-some-reason-burn-notice

The odder your comic book idea, the more press you get

Yesterday's Post had a one-paragraph blurb about Discovery's upcoming dinosaur comic book - today this article is online:

 

Comic book version of bin Laden raid to be released
By Jason Ukman
Washington Post Checkpoint Washington blog June 29 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/checkpoint-washington/post/comic-book-version-of-bin-laden-raid-to-be-released/2011/06/28/AGMnK4pH_blog.html

On reflection, to make myself clear, let me note that I don't think there's anything wrong with a sequential art account of bin Laden's assassination - I'm just kvetching about the amount of pre-publication press something like this gets. And now I'm adding to it, of course.

Annapolis cartoonist Jim Hunt profiled

HIS OWN CAREER: From Braintree High, a cartoonist was born
Lane Lambert
Patriot Ledger June 28, 2011
 http://www.patriotledger.com/archive/x1305079067/From-Braintree-High-a-cartoonist-was-born

"Today, he's a nationally known cartoonist, whose work has appeared everywhere from Fox Sports' Major League Baseball broadcasts to HBO and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. His editorial cartoons have been included in national collections seven years in a row. Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis has a caricature Hunt drew of him."

Frank Cho's World's Emmy

Daily Cartoonist reports that the Washington Post's video, Creating Frank Cho's World, has won an Emmy award.

Matt Dembicki's photos from the American Library Association

Matt Dembicki took Trickster on the road to the American Library Association and just sent me a link with pictures - http://matt-dembicki.blogspot.com/2011/06/photos-from-ala-2011.html

Glen Burnie comic shop closes

The Empyre strikes out
Local comics shop is shutting down
By THERESA WINSLOW, Staff Writer
The Capital 06/26/11
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/lif/2011/06/26-08/The-Empyre-strikes-out.html

Cul de Sac picks up paper, replacing 9 Chickweed Lane

Culled and sacked
Everett, WA Herald June 27 2011
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110627/BLOG08/706279915

Comic Riffs on NY Times cartoonist McFadden

NEW YORK TIMES DEBUT: Alt-cartoonist Brian McFadden revels in paper's first Sunday Review slot
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comics Riffs blog June 26 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/new-york-times-debut-thrilled-alt-cartoonist-brian-mcfadden-on-landing-the-papers-first-sunday-review-slot/2011/06/27/AGCmWFnH_blog.html#pagebreak

Comic Riffs on Gene Colan's death

RIP, GENE COLAN: Stan Lee joins those memorializing the legendary artist [UPDATED]
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs June 27 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/rip-gene-colan-stan-lee-joins-those-memorializng-the-legendary-artist-updated/2011/06/24/AGif8cnH_blog.html#pagebreak

For the record, the Post ran part of a wire story obit today.

Truitt on Spider-Man, the Thing and Li'l Depressed Boy

Ultimate Spider-Man meets an ultimate fate
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY June 21 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-06-21-Ultimate-Spider-Man-meets-his-ultimate-fate_n.htm

The Thing turns truly monstrous in 'Fear Itself'
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY June 20 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-06-20-The-Thing-is-truly-monstrous-in-Fear-Itself_n.htm

'Li'l Depressed Boy' finds success in a lovable loner
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-06-21-Lil-Depressed-Boy-finds-success-with-a-lovable-loner_n.htm

NY Times editorializes in favor of Jack Kirby

Here's something you don't read every day -

Marvel Superheroes and the Fathers of Invention
By BRENT STAPLES
June 26, 2011
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/opinion/sunday/26observer.html

PR: Intervention con on September 16-18

INTERVENTION CONVENTION BRINGS CYBER-LIFE TO REAL LIFE
Event brings creators and fans together for weekend of learning and fun

ROCKVILLE, MD, June 14, 2011: Intervention, taking place at the Hilton Washington DC/Rockville in Rockville, MD, from September 16-18, 2011, is an indie creator and geek culture convention for the Internet generation. One part conference, one part fandom event, Intervention aims to provide both creators and fans a venue to learn, appreciate, and celebrate the opportunities technology provides.

"James [Harknell] and I wanted to put together an event that would complement the existing print-centric conventions – we wanted to showcase the creators who use the Internet as their primary publishing method," says convention founder Onezumi Hartstein. "I went to conventions for years to promote my webcomic, and was always treated well, but felt that web creators needed their own space. We're giving them that with Intervention." After a very successful first run in 2010, this year will mark Hartstein's second time organizing the event.

Over thirty guests are currently scheduled to attend, bringing three days of panels and educational workshops. Fans of all stripes are also encouraged to submit their own cutting-edge programming, showcase their own works, and schedule their own meetups at the event. A special track of children's programming will be overseen by Matt Blum, managing editor of the GeekDad blog on Wired.com.

Sponsored by Think Geek (http://www.thinkgeek.com), Wacom (http://www.wacom.com), Foam Brain Games (http://www.foambrain.com), 4Imprint (http://www.4imprint.com), Squishable (http://www.squishable.com), and Toy Vault (http://www.toyvault.com), the convention will also feature video and board gaming, an extensive Artist Alley, live action roleplay (LARP), musical performances, a Steampunk-themed dance, and plenty of giveaways. A charity auction will benefit the Electronic Frontier Foundation (http://www.eff.org), a civil liberties group that aims to defend freedom on the Internet.

Tickets for Intervention can be bought at http://www.interventioncon.com for $35 for the full weekend (through June 30, 2011). Tickets bought at the door will cost $45, with single-day rates available. More information about guests and events can be found at http://www.interventioncon.com.

Comic Book Fan Culture study at Loyola College Maryland

Family Relationships and Men's Participation in Comic Book Fan Culture
via Comic Book Resources

Annapolis cartoonist Jim Orton dies

Alan Gardner caught the death of Jim Orton at 81. Alan also linked to Roy Delgado's remembrance of Orton's DC years.
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Dick Tracy at Nat'l Museum of American History

It's a book in Paper Engineering: Fold, Pull, Pop & Turn - http://www.si.edu/Exhibitions/Details/Paper-Engineering-Fold-Pull-Pop--Turn-896

There were some neat books in this show as you'd expect, including a Dick Tracy pop-up. A Terry and the Pirates book is shown in the free brochure.

There's a blog too.

PR: $1 Comic Book Sale at Beyond Comics

OUR BIGGEST $1 Dollar Comic Book Blowout Ever $1 Dollar COMICS Almost 30,000 Comics $1 Each   Marvels, DC Comics, Image, Dark Horse and others... Titles include: Batman, X-men, Captain America, Justice League, Superman, Spider-man, Wolverine, Daredevil, let's just say...almost every comic book title you can think of.   Sale Starts Sunday June 26th Ends Monday July 4th Pre - Sale Saturay June 25th after 6pm   Hours Sun 12-9 * Mon, Tues 10-8 * Wed - Sat 10-9 * July 4th 10 - 6  Gaithersburg                                       Frederick  Gaithersburg Square                       Route 85 536 North Frederick Ave                  5632 Buckeystown Pike Gaithersburg, MD 20877                  Frederick, MD 21704 301-668-8202                               (301) 6668-8202 All sales subject to availability. Sales do not apply to recent arrivals except where noted. Sale prices not applicable to special orders, on hold items or subscriptions. Discounts may not be combined with any other sales or promotions. Certain exclusions apply, see individual stores for details. Subscriber's not in good standing may be excluded from sales as deemed appropriate. Please visit our stores any time. Gaithersburg                                       Frederick Gaithersburg Square                       Route 85 536 North Frederick Ave                  5632 Buckeystown Pike Gaithersburg, MD 20877                  Frederick, MD 21704 301-668-8202                               (301) 6668-8202

Larry Rodman's Gene Colan interview reprinted online

In the 1990s-early 2000s, Larry Rodman was the Comics Journal's man on the ground in DC and did a lot of stories for them. He's become a school teacher now, and isn't as involved in comics as he was, but you can still spot him lurking at SPX at times.

Here's a piece he did a decade ago, reprinted due to Gene Colan's death this week -

The Gene Colan Interview
BY TCJ.com Jun 24, 2011
From The Comics Journal #231 (March 2001). Conducted by Larry Rodman.
http://www.tcj.com/the-gene-colan-interview/

Comic Riffs interviews Neil Gaiman

NEIL GAIMAN'S TWITTER VISION: Author plans to write about #Twitter in new 'American Gods 2'
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog June 24 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/neil-gaimans-twitter-vision-author-plans-to-write-about-twitter-in-new-american-gods-2/2011/06/24/AGgs8PjH_blog.html

Leesburg, VA man outs himself as a furry

Pittsburgh inundated by furries -- fans of animated animals
PITTSBURGH | Fri Jun 24, 2011
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/24/us-convention-furries-idUSTRE75N5JA20110624

Attendee Karl Jorgensen, of Leesburg, Virginia, said being a furry was rooted in his longtime appreciation for Looney Tunes and Warner Bros. cartoons. "I'm interested in animation," he said. "The playfulness ... I mean, who doesn't like watching cartoons, right?"

Uh-huh. And then perhaps dress up as Pepe LePew?

Truitt interviews Transformer voice actor

As Optimus Prime, Peter Cullen brings humanity to 'Transformers' franchise
Brian Truitt
USA Weekend's Who's News blog June 24th, 2011
http://whosnews.usaweekend.com/2011/06/as-optimus-prime-peter-cullen-brings-humanity-to-transformers-franchise/

PBS Newshour on Gladstone and Neufeld's The Influencing Machine

Brooke Gladstone's Graphic Commentary of Media's 'Influencing Machine'
Jeffrey Brown
PBS Newshour's Art Beat blog June 24, 2011
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/art/blog/2011/06/conversation-brooke-gladstones-the-influencing-machine.html

PRI's The World on State Dept's disinviting Palestinian cartoonist Majed Badra

Palestinian cartoonist Majed Badra accused of anti-Semitism
Lisa Mullins
PRI's The World 23 June, 2011
http://www.pri.org/arts-entertainment/arts/palestinian-cartoonist-majed-badra-accused-of-anti-semitism4565.html
http://media.theworld.org/audio/062220113.mp3

Monkey See blog on Cars 2

'Cars 2': Unfortunately, It's Just About Cars
by Linda Holmes
National Public Radio's Monkey See blog June 24, 2011
http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/06/24/137346135/cars-2-unfortunately-its-just-about-cars

Local papers unimpressed with Cars 2

Not much under the hood in 'Cars 2'
By: Kelly Jane Torrance
 Washington Examiner 06/23/11: http://washingtonexaminer.com/entertainment/2011/06/not-much-under-hood-cars-2

Alas, Poor Mater: 'Cars 2' Falls Short of the Original
By Kristen Page-Kirby
Express June 24, 2011, p. 30
http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2011/06/cars-2-falls-short-original.php

Lightning, Mater on the road, again
By Michael O'Sullivan
Washington Post June 24, 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/cars-2,1177333/critic-review.html

Sidekick Tries to Tow a Sequel
By A. O. SCOTT
June 23, 2011
http://movies.nytimes.com/2011/06/24/movies/pixars-cars-2-with-larry-the-cable-guy-and-owen-wilson-review.html

Cartoon book reviews up at City Paper

I'm way behind on this, but here's a start -

International Ink: A Summer Comics Gift List
 by Mike Rhode on Jun. 24, 2011
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2011/06/24/international-ink-a-summer-comics-gift-list/

Trickster picks up book awards

Matt Dembicki's anthology Trickster picked up a couple of book awards recently. (Spotted by Tom Spurgeon)

MAGIC BULLET #3 fundraising begins on Kickstarter

Hey everyone, We here at the DC Conspiracy hope that you enjoyed MAGIC BULLET #2 and once again thank you for supporting that project. We are sending out this quick note to let you know that we are now raising funds for MAGIC BULLET #3 on Kickstarter. We've got a bunch of new prizes for pledging, including the easiest way for you to get your hands on a copy of the upcoming issue. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/plasticfarm/magic-bullet-3 Please, if you enjoyed MAGIC BULLET #2, take a moment to check out our pledge drive for #3. We'll also be updating the page often as we finalize our contributor list and as artwork comes in. Thanks again, Rafer Roberts

Comic Riffs interviews Neil Gaiman

Here's Michael Cavna's teaser post.

Tom Gammill and Arnold Roth namecheck Richard Thompson

Tom Gammill Lesson 27
Jun 20, 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPIFnA8p_wU

The 27th installment of Learn To Draw with Tom Gammill, where the creator of The Doozies visits the famous cartoonist and illustrator Arnold Roth and his wife Caroline at their NY apartment.

New Flugennock cartoon online

Latest'n'Greatest: "Don't Call Us – We'll Call You"

http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=899
Don't Call Us – We'll Call You

Click through for Mike's commentary on his cartoon.

Weldon on Woodring, Gross on Niemann

A Weird, And Wonderful, Cartoon 'Congress'
by Glen Weldon
National Public Radio's Books We Like (June 22, 2011)
http://www.npr.org/2011/06/22/137317502/a-weird-and-wonderful-cartoon-congress

and not quite DC, but Niemann's one of my favorites -

 

'That's How' Christoph Niemann Explains It All
by Terry Gross
Fresh Air from WHYY June 22, 2011
http://www.npr.org/2011/06/22/137197285/-that-s-how-an-illustrator-explains-it-all
http://pd.npr.org/anon.npr-mp3/npr/fa/2011/06/20110622_fa_02.mp3?dl=1
http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=137197285

 

Job opportunity: cartoonist/letterist needed...urgent.

Nate (whom I don't know) has requested that I put this up on ComicsDC.

 

From: nathan <nate_888@yahoo.com>

Hi,  Came across comics dc and thought you might be the right person to ask - I'm looking for a skilled, experienced cartoonist/illustrator with great lettering skills to hire for a 1-2 day shoot that starts tomorrow. We're doing a project that is inspired by the RSA Animate series: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6XAPnuFjJc We will speed up the artist's hand drawing the images on a dry erase board, and match to a voiceover like they did in the link above.  The drawings look simple, but they are harder than they appear.  If you know anyone or have suggestions about where to post this request, I'd certainly appreciate it.  Nate

June 23: Brooke Gladstone at Politics and Prose, interviewed in Express

An Animated Personality: Brooke Gladstone, 'The Influencing Machine,' at Politics and Prose [in print: Meet an Animated Personality: Brooke Gladstone's graphic book sheds light on media history].
By Katie Aberbach
Express June 23, 2011
http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2011/06/brooke-gladstone-the-influencing-machine-politics-and-prose.php

Politics and Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW; Thu., 7 p.m., free; 202-364-1919, Politics-prose.com. (Van Ness)

Comic Riffs on a Spider-Man death

RIP, SPIDER-MAN: In Memoriam, a fan's tribute to Peter Parker
By David Betancourt
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog June 22 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/rip-spider-man-in-memoriam-a-fans-tribute-to-peter-parker/2011/06/22/AGykb4fH_blog.html#pagebreak

Monkey See blog on the latest comic book death

"Spider-Man ... No More!" Some More: RIP, Peter Parker

by Glen Weldon

National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (June 22, 2011)

  http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/06/22/137333177/-spider-man-no-more-some-more-rip-peter-parker

One missing cartoonist from State Dept tour

I had an excellent time at the reception for these cartoonists last night and should have pictures up soon. That said, one cartoonist Majed Badra of Palestine was dis-invited, albeit not by the Washington office of the International Visitor Leadership Program, but rather by Consular Affairs. Here's what appears to me to be a good article -

Dept. of State rejects cartoonist over 'anti-Semitic' drawings
— Clara Hogan
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press June 20 2011
http://www.rcfp.org/newsitems/index.php?i=11932

- and I particularly like this quote, which seems to go to the heart of the matter to me - "The young cartoonist noted that the U.S. government interfered with his freedom of speech in the context of a program that is meant to support it."

Conan Takes a Prize

Here's a Conan drawing by SL Gallant for my friend Ahmed, who requested that the severed head resemble me. Ahhh, friends...

Tom Gauld in yesterday's Washington Post

For the record, crack British cartoonist Tom Gauld had illustrations in the June 19th Washington Post Book Review. Gauld does regular illustrations for the New York Times Magazine, and has done book-related illustrations for a British newspaper for years.