Comic Riffs on Entertainment Weekly's Top 10 graphic novel list

OF 'MAUS' AND MAN: Are these really the top-10 graphic novels ever?

 By Michael Cavna

Washington Post Comic Riffs July 2 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/of-mausand-man-are-these-really-the-top-10-graphic-novels-ever/2013/07/02/8b93217c-e2c7-11e2-80eb-3145e2994a55_blog.html

Art Hondros' Song of Sandy Hook part 6

International Ink extra: Gettysburg: The Graphic History

The Battle of Gettysburg, a turning point in the Civil War, took place 150 years ago today. Gettysburg: The Graphic History by Wayne Vansant (Zenith Press, 2013, $20) is a graphic history of the story of the battle. Robert E. Lee of the Confederate Army had led his troops north to Pennsylvania, hoping to both shock the North and reprovision his armies with food and clothing captured from Union states. The Union, or Federal troops, under the newly appointed Major General George Meade, intercepted them near the small town of Gettysburg in southern Pennsylvania. Although Lee did not want to fight a pitched engagement, his cavalry scouts under JEB Stuart had wandered south towards Washington and didn't warn him away from the Union (or Federal) troops. Once some of his troops were committed, Lee decided to fight, hoping to punch a whole in the Union line of defenders. For three days, the two sides fought with thousands of men until the Union broke a last chance charge by General George Pickett. On July 4th, the Confederates retreated, and Meade didn't follow them in spite of President Lincoln's urgings.

The story is so big and complex that it doesn't fit well into 96 pages. Vansant does a competent job of explaining the preparations before the battle, the three days of the battle and the aftermath, including the full text of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address which dedicated the Union cemetery. He's obviously used reference photographs, and his artwork makes the famous people recognizable, if a bit stiff. He approaches the story chronologically, and one can get an idea of how the battle unfolded, but the book remains rather dry. Given his young adult audience, Vansant draws a minimum of bloodshed. When he writes, "Down below, General Hood's left arm was shattered by a shell burst," he draws Hood and his horse blinded and pushed to one side by the explosion and only colors them with a golden wash. I do not think most readers would actually want any more graphic detail than that, but Vansant's decision does sap some of the essence out of the story. His need to jump from one small segment of the battle to the next, unavoidable as it may be, has the same effect.

The story appears to be factually correct, although some items such as drawing Confederate General Lewis Armistead advancing with his hat speared on his sword aren't explained. Perhaps he thought sharpshooters would aim for his hat? A final round of proof-reading would have avoided mistakes such as "Choked with emotion because he did not want to make this attack, Longstreet nearly nodded." (p. 81) Presumably 'merely' is meant, not 'nearly' since a near nod is not much of a military command.

In conclusion, this book is most likely to appeal to a boy who already has an interest in the Civil War or military history, and is a perfectly reasonable starting place for someone looking at the vast amount of Gettysburg literature.

Still coming next - Tommysaurus Rex.

Nick Galifianakis joins Go Comics

Nick Galifianakis joins Go Comics today with reprints of his Washington Post work for Carolyn Hax's column. The first panel is here.

Big Planet Comics' July 4th sale

PR: Swann Foundation Announces Awards for 2013-2014

Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave. SE
Washington DC   20540

July 1, 2013

Public contact: Martha Kennedy (202) 707-9115, mkenn@loc.gov

Swann Foundation Announces Awards for 2013‑2014

The Caroline and Erwin Swann Foundation for Caricature and Cartoon, administered by the Library of Congress, has awarded fellowships to five applicants for the academic year 2013-2014.  Recipients attend the University of North Carolina and Brandeis, Fordham and George Mason universities.

Alexandra Boni, a doctoral candidate in history at George Mason University, was awarded a Swann Fellowship to support research for her dissertation, “Editorializing the Cold War: Cartoons and Commentary on Nuclear Fear and Anxiety, 1945-1989.” Boni aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of cartoons relating to Cold War anxiety by three nationally syndicated cartoonists—Herbert Block (Herblock), Paul Conrad and Frank Miller—in the context of their cartoons’ embedded contents and related articles and letters to the editor in the main newspapers that published their work (Herblock’s in the Washington Post, Conrad’s in the Denver Post and Los Angeles Times and Miller’s in the Des Moines Register).

Erin Corrales Diaz, a doctoral candidate in art history at the University of North Carolina, was awarded a fellowship to support research for her dissertation, “Remembering the Veteran: Disability, Trauma, and the American Civil War, 1861-1915.” She will investigate ways in which American illustrators, cartoonists, artists and photographers used the figure of the disabled veteran to explore the trauma and violence of the American Civil War. She will focus on the work of Thomas Nast, Joseph E. Baker and other artists whose work in the pictorial press shows how the figure of the veteran permeated many forms of American popular culture.

Allison Lange, a doctoral candidate in history at Brandeis University received a fellowship to support research on her dissertation, “Pictures of Change: Transformative Images of Gender and Politics in the Woman Suffrage Movement, 1776-1920.” This project explores the use of publicly circulating imagery in the movement.  Lange first will examine late-18th century conventions for representing gender. She then will examine how suffragists used newspaper cartoons and illustrations, photographs and other imagery to promote their movement, which ended with women winning the vote in 1920.

Johnathan Pettinato, a doctoral candidate in history at Fordham University, received a fellowship to support research for his dissertation, “Burke and Britons: Edmund Burke and the Irish Other in 18th-Century Cartoons.”  In tracing the rise of chauvinism and xenophobia in late-18th-century Britain, Pettinato focuses on the era’s scurrilous cartoons that caricatured Burke as an ‘other,’ an un-British threat to Britain and its empire, by often drawing upon stereotypes of the Irish and Jesuit priests. The study will particularly benefit from consulting the Library’s outstanding collection of British satirical prints.

Louis Dean Valencia, also a doctoral candidate in history at Fordham University, received a fellowship to support research for his dissertation, “Making a Scene: Movida, Comic Books, Punk Rock, Anti-authoritarian Youth Culture, and Creating Democratic Spaces in Franco’s Spain, 1955-1984.”  He explores how young Spaniards living under Francisco Franco’s dictatorship subverted the régime in their everyday lives by reading American comics, despite government attempts to interdict such activity. Valencia suggests that exposure to such comics that conveyed democratic, pluralistic and proto-feminist ideals contributed to Spanish youths’ rejection of fascist ideology as evidenced in comics they produced in the mid-1970s that critiqued the régime. 

During the coming academic year, the five recipients will conduct research at the Library of Congress, largely in the General Collections and in the Prints and Photographs, Serial and Government Publications, and Rare Book and Special Collections divisions.

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 more than 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.

# # #

PR13-127
7/1/13
ISSN: 0731-3527

John Kinhart's videos on comics

It's been a few years since we checked in with cartoonist John Kinhart. We'll be interviewing him, but in the meantime, he's made three short videos about cartoonists and here are the links -

Kim Deitch : The Search For Smilin' Ed
Jul 15, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfqCgf8867c&feature=youtu.be

Finally collected in one volume, Kim Deitch's sprawling whiligig of a yarn "The Search for Smilin' Ed" chronicles his investigation into the secrets behind the life and career of a very strange children's show host and his malevolent (in fact, possibly demonic) sidekick. Directed, edited and shot by John Kinhart

BB&B Special Feature: The Archive of Jay Lynch
bbbmovie Nov 7, 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_SAkUqsr-g&feature=youtu.be

Kelly Froh
Jan 5, 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn4Nsa1qd0A&feature=youtu.be

Short documentary about cartoonist Kelly Froh. Kelly has released mini-comics and zines with such titles as The Cheapest S.O.B.'s, Puke Stories, Beating Up Little Brother, Unlucky, Two Days Away From Staring at Birds From a Park Bench and the autobiographical series Slither.

Art Hondros' Song of Sandy Hook part 5

Art Hondros' Song of Sandy Hook part 4

Part 3.

Aug 21-Nov 3: DC Conspiracy at Arlington's Artisphere

COMICS MAKING STUDIO WITH MEMBERS OF THE D.C. CONSPIRACY

Meet and Greet: Sat Sep 21, 6-8pm
ON VIEW WED AUG 21 – SUN NOV 3
FREE
Works in Progress Gallery

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Meet and Greet with Artists: Sat Sep 21, 6-8pm

Members of the D.C. Conspiracy (DCC), a comics-creating collaborative, will be working on actual page submissions for the Spring 2014 edition of Magic Bullet, a free, semi-annual comics newspaper. The artists will have onsite working hours so you can watch them draw and see the magic unfold. There will be "blank" comic pages available so you can make a comic and leave it behind as part of the exhibition.

Artists' onsite residency hours:
Thursdays 6:30-9:30pm + Saturdays 1-4pm (+ Wednesday September 18)

Residency Dates:
Thu Aug 22 & Sat Aug 24: Matt Rawson
Thu Aug 29 & Sat Aug 31: Matt Dembicki
Thu Sep 5 & Sat Sep 7: Rafer Roberts
Thu Sep 12 & Sat Sep 14: Steve Loya
Wed Sep 18 & Sat Sep 21: Evan Keeling*
Thu Sep 26-Sat Sep 28: Eric Gordon
Thu Oct 3-Sat Oct 5: Jamie Noguchi
Thu Oct 10-Sat Oct 12: Christiann MacAuley
Thu Oct 17- Sat Oct 19: Art Hondros
Thu Oct 24- Sat Oct 26: Jacob Warrenfeltz
Thu Oct 31- Sat Nov 2: Andrew Cohen
*Please note that Evan Keeling will be on-site on Wed Sep 18 instead of Thu Sep 19.

Cartoonists Rights Network profiled in Salt Lake paper

 Russell: Cartoonist paying high price
By robert russell
Salt Lake Tribune Jun 28 2013
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/opinion/56505901-82/cartoonists-akram-political-rights.html.csp

The title refers to Akram Raslan of Syria.

Recent stories by Brian Truitt

A 'Superior' change of pace for Spider-Man comics: Big things are happening in the main Spidey book in July, which also sees the debut of three new titles.
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY June 27, 2013
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/06/27/superior-spider-man-month-marvel-comics/2446727/

Two-Face a lethal lawyer in 'Dark Knight' digital series: The disfigured supervillain wants to right a wrong from his past in digital comic story.
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY June 26, 2013
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/06/26/batman-legends-of-the-dark-knight-digital-comic/2459299/

Meet Marvel's new animated 'Agents of S.M.A.S.H.': The Disney XD series premieres in August with an array of musclebound superheroes.
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY  June 26, 2013
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/06/26/hulk-and-the-agents-of-smash/2459317/

Art Hondros' Song of Sandy Hook, part 3

Part 2.

July 6: Mark Burrier's new t-shirt design

Shirt Release & Art Opening Saturday, July 6 at 5pm

Thrasher x Pitcrew Collab Shirt Turn up and get the new Thrasher Magazine x Pitcrew collab t-shirt Saturday, July 6 at Pitcrew. The shirt features my artwork as a homage to a classic Thrasher design from the 80's. The super-secret design will be revealed on the 6th. They are available in different colorways and only at Pitcrew in a limited edition so don't miss out!

New Artwork on Exhibit In conjunction with the shirt release, I will have new illustrations on display at the shop along side other local artists and skaters Ben Gartrell and Benji Ross. PITCREW 207 N Market St, Frederick, MD 21701 (301) 698-1813 www.pitcrewskateboards.com Share Tweet Forward to Friend +1 Copyright © 2013 Mark Burrier Illustration, All rights reserved.  www.markburrier.com

June 29: Nathan Edmondson Signing "The Dream Merchant" at Big Planet Comics DC

 

Nathan Edmondson Signing - The Dream Merchant

By Big Planet Comics

 June 29 3:00pm until 5:00pm

 

Nathan Edmondson will be appearing to sign copies of his new series, The Dream Merchant, as well as his comics The Activity, Who is Jake Ellis?, Ultimate Iron Man, Grifter, The Light, Olympus and more!

After the store closes at 6, Nathan has invited everyone to come hang out with him at Solly's down the street at 1942 11th St NW!

We will raffle off 2 free t-shirts to people at the signing, and the first 5 people at Solly's will get a free drink!
...
The Dream Merchant: Haunted by recurring dreams, a boy named Winslow is hunted by mysterious beings and protected by an old traveler. Soon Winslow will realize that what is in his dreams is what the rest of the world has been made to forget–and what strange entities will stop at nothing to erase from his mind.

Nathan's website: http://www.nathan-e.com/

Big Planet Comics of Washington, DC
1520 U St NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-342-1961
dc@bigplanetcomics.com

June 29: Annapolis Comic-Con

It's Almost Here! Be there tomorrow from 10am-6pm. Sorry to send you more than one email this week, but I just want to make sure you know about the Annapolis Comic-Con tomorrow. It's going to be FANTASTIC. We've got our best lineup EVER of dealers and artists, plus Travis Love and Daniel Thomas May from AMC's The Walking Dead! On top of that, it's the debut of Kids' Artist Alley, we'll have a TARDIS Photo Booth, and our first-ever video game tournament. Here's a preview of our map and directory: AWESOME CON KICKSTARTER BACKERS GET IN FREE TO ANNAPOLIS COMIC-CON Just a reminder that all backers of Awesome Con's Kickstarter get in to the Annapolis Comic-Con for free. We've recently added a $10 reward tier, so you can back Awesome Con AND get into the Annapolis Comic-Con for just $10! Just bring your pledge confirmation email to the Annapolis Comic-Con and that will work as your ticket! Back the Kickstarter at: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1611556041/awesome-con-dc Thanks a lot for supporting us! I totally appreciate it! Ben Penrod Awesome Conventions

July 14: Glen Weldon on Superman at Politics and Prose

Glen Weldon - Superman: The Unauthorized Biography

Start: Jul 14 2013 5:00 pm

End: Jul 14 2013 6:00 pm

As Superman turns 75, what better time to look back over his life? Weldon, NPR blogger, critic, and comics expert, considers not only the Man of Steel's adventures and achievements, but also his place in the culture as the first, and still most popular, superhero.

 Superman: The Unauthorized Biography (Hardcover)

By Glen Weldon

$25.95

ISBN-13: 9781118341841
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: John Wiley & Sons, 4/2013

Other Editions of this Title

 

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Street:

5015 Connecticut Ave NW

City:

Washington

,

Province:

District Of Columbia

Postal Code:

20008

Country:

United States

Comics artists of the New Yorker Kickstarter Documentary profiled on Comic Riffs

KICKSTARTER OF THE WEEK: Training a lens on The New Yorker magazine's cartoonists

By Michael Cavna
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/kickstarter-of-the-week-training-a-lens-on-the-new-yorker-magazines-cartoonists/2013/06/27/70af02fc-ddf6-11e2-b197-f248b21f94c4_blog.html#pagebreak

The fundraising goes on for a few more hours.

Harvey Pekar: Conversations book on sale

The University Press of Mississippi is having a big website sale on their comics-related books. My Harvey Pekar: Conversations can be had for $10 which is less than the author's copies cost me.

Big Planet Comics to distribute Box Brown's Retrofit Comics

Heidi MacDonald's The Beat has learned that Big Planet Comics is going to distribute Box Brown's Retrofit Comics - the story by Hannah Means-Shannon is here:

http://comicsbeat.com/interview-box-brown-on-breaking-news-for-retrofit-comics/

ComicsDC will be following up on this, but it appears that this is being developed by Jared Smith, 
formerly the force behind Mars Import, the excellent Euro-comics source of the late 90s.

The byline to this should go to Matt Dembicki who caught it, but didn't want to type it out on
 his smartphone.