Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Sheila Hamanaka's elephant gn featured on National Geographic

A photo of the cover of Sheila Hamanaka's book, "A Dangerous Life".
Sheila Hamanaka's latest book, "A Dangerous Life," is a graphic novel that deals with an American teenager's trip to Africa, where she sees elephants being killed for their tusks
—and discovers her own family's involvement in the ivory trade.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF ANIMAL WELFARE INSTITUTE AND KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICE
Simon Worrall

Monday, June 23, 2014

Political cartoonist Sage Stossel felt thrown under the bus by her brother

The Post reviews The Lion King play

'The Lion King,' exuberant as ever, takes pride of place at the Kennedy Center [in print as Lion King: A Sensory Feast].



Nia Holloway as Nala in "The Lion King," playing at Kennedy Center. (Joan Marcus)
By Nelson Pressley June 23 2014
 http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater_dance/the-lion-king-roars-at-the-kennedy-center/2014/06/22/730324ae-fa27-11e3-8176-f2c941cf35f1_story.html

SPX 2014 Announces Guests Brandon Graham, Emily Carroll, Drew Friedman and Mimi Pond



Small Press Expo Announces 20th Anniversary Guests Brandon Graham, Emily Carroll, Drew Friedman and Mimi Pond


For Immediate Release           Contact: Warren Bernard
                                             
                                                E-Mail: warren@spxpo.com


Bethesda, Maryland; June 19, 2014 – This year is the 20th Anniversary of SPX, which will be held September 13 and 14, 2014 at the North Bethesda Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. For our 20th birthday, we are pleased to announce Brandon Graham, Emily Carroll, Drew Friedman and Mimi Pond, all of whom are appearing at SPX for the first time.

     These guests are in addition to the previously announced Jules Feiffer, Lynda Barry and James Sturm.

Brandon Graham started out as a graffiti artist in his native Seattle and now is the writer behind the Image comics series Prophet, as well as the creator of his own comic mini-series Multiple Warheads. His other titles are King City, Elevator and Universe So Big. SPX is honored to host this rare East Coast appearance by Mr. Graham, whose work can be seen on his Tumblr blog.

Emily Carroll was the recipient of this years Pigskin Peter Award, which is given to the best Canadian experimental or avant-garde artist. Her magical web-comic Out of Skin was awarded the 2014 Cartoonist Studio Prize given by The Slate Book Review and the Center for Cartoon Studies. Her first book, Through the Woods, is being released next month by Margaret K. McElderry Books. Ms. Carroll's web comics can be seen at http://www.emcarroll.com.

Both Mr. Graham and Ms. Carroll will be signing their latest works at the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund tables at SPX 2014.

Drew Friedman's caricatures and comics have graced the pages of such esteemed publications as The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, Village Voice and Mad. His Old Jewish Comedians series of books was the subject of an extensive show earlier this year at the prestigious Society of Illustrators. He will be on hand at SPX to sign copies of his next book due out in August from Fantagraphics, Heroes of the Comics: Portraits of the Legends of Comic Books.

Mimi Pond is a cartoonist, illustrator, and writer. She has drawn comics for the Los Angeles Times, Seventeen magazine, National Lampoon, and has also written for television, including the first full-length episode of The Simpsons, "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire". She is the author of the cult-classic book The Valley Girl's Guide to Life. Her first graphic novel, Over Easy, was published this past April by Drawn & Qaurterly to critical acclaim and spent one month on the New York Times graphic novel bestseller chart. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, the painter Wayne White.

About SPX

Small Press Expo (SPX) is the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels, and alternative political cartoons. SPX is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit that brings together more than 600 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. SPX also has a two tracks of of panel discussions and interviews with this year's guests that run through both days of the event.

The Ignatz Award is a festival prize held every year at SPX, with the winners chosen by attendees at the show. All works nominated for Ignatz Awards are donated to the Small Press Expo Collection at the Library of Congress, which is the first institutional collection in the United States dedicated to the indie comics field.

As in previous years, profits from the SPX will go to support the SPX Graphic Novel Gift Program, which funds graphic novel purchases for public and academic libraries, as well as the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), which protects the First Amendment rights of comic book readers and professionals. For more information on the CBLDF, visit their website at http://www.cbldf.org.

Copyright © 2014 Small Press Expo, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this e-mail as a result of your being on our long standing press release list.

Our mailing address is:
Small Press Expo
P.O. Box 5204
Bethesda, MD 20824



Jay Lynch short film by John Kinhart

There's Something Weird About Jay Lynch
John Kinhart
Jun 22, 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU1D04lx6N0&feature=youtu.be

I decided to go to SPX in Bethesda, MD to film and interview Jay Lynch about the backstory to Roxy Funnies. Weirdness ensued.

Filmed and edited by John Kinhart


Sunday, June 22, 2014

Lost Art Books to publish Ray Willner book

D.C.-area publisher Lost Arts Books plans to release "The Lost Art of Ray Willner: The Adventures of Robin Hood" in time for the Small Press Expo in September. 

Here's what Joe Procopio of Lost Arts Books says on his Facebook page: "Scanning is finished, and art restoration is about a third of the way complete. Willner was a contemporary and oft-times partner with Reed Crandall, and their styles are remarkably similar. At this point--1956--in their respective careers, one could conceivably argue that Willner was the stronger artist! This Lost Art Book will collect every Robin Hood story drawn by Willner across the seven-issue run of the title in 1956, bringing together for the first time over 160 pages of never-before-reprinted material."

A few more photos...

Becky Cloonan and Shaun Simon at Big Planet Comics Vienna.

Becky Cloonan and Shaun Simon at Big Planet Comics Vienna.

Claire and Mike Rhode wearing t-shirts from Joe Sutliff's Master Jeffrey webcomic which has a Kickstarter campaign now.




And here's pictures from the exhibit of original artwork at Art-Enables by five artists who contributed to the new graphic novel Wild Ocean: Sharks, Whales, Rays and Other Endangered Sea Creatures (Fulcrum Publishing).  Artwork by: Brooke Allen, Matt Dembicki, Andy K, Steve Loya and Steven Russell Black.

Art by Matt Dembicki, that I think I now own.

Steve Loya and his art.

Friday, June 20, 2014

Comic Riffs talks East of West

'EAST OF WEST': Hickman and Dragotta are riding high atop their apocalyptic Western for Image Comics

Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: #BringBackOurBoys


From: Mike Flugennock
"#BringBackOurBoys"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=1507

Here's one for our friends in Israel, just to let them know I'm thinking of them as they search diligently for their precious missing teens.


Israelis Kill Palestinian During House Searches In West Bank, Al Jazeera English, 06.17.14
http://tinyurl.com/oygckav

Israel Teens Search Aims To "Break" Hamas, Al Jazeera English, 06.18.14
http://tinyurl.com/orkhcc2

________________________________________________________________
Mike Flugennock, flugennock at sinkers dot org
Mike's Political Cartoons: dubya dubya dubya dot sinkers dot org

City Paper picks Pixar music

Pixar in Concert at Wolf TrapFriday, June 20

By Tim Regan •  Washington City Paper June 20, 2014

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Meet Michael Reilly, who manages ‘The Lion King’s’ puppet kingdom


Meet Michael Reilly, who manages 'The Lion King's' puppet kingdom [in print as Tinker Tailor Puppet Guy: Meet the man who manages 'Lion King's animal kingdom.]
BY KRISTEN PAGE-KIRBY
June 19 2014

The Lion King is at the Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW; through Aug. 17, $40-$195; 202-467-4600.

Barsotti obit in Wash Post

Charles Barsotti, New Yorker cartoonist known for his simplicity, dies at 80 [in print as Charles Barsotti, 80; Cartoonist of subtle humor].

By Matt Schudel

Washington Post June 19 2014

http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/comics/charles-barsotti-new-yorker-cartoonist-known-for-his-simplicity-dies-at-80/2014/06/18/7f1f7046-f6fb-11e3-a3a5-42be35962a52_story.html

 

Postcards on Fantom's move

Fantom Comics is letting its Dupont Circle neighbors know that it'll be opening its new store (which it says will be three times bigger than its current Union Station location) on July 23. Here's a postcard picked up at a Dupont Circle eatery.


June 21-22: Tom Arvis at WizardCon Philadelphia

Tom Arvis writes in, "After this show (where I'm an invited guest, thank you very much) I'll be doing the Baltimore ComicCon in Sept."

July 11-12: Disney Fantasia Live in Concert at Wolf Trap

Friday, July 11 & Saturday, July 12
at 8:30 pm at the Filene Center
Ticket Price: $22-$55
Disney Fantasia Live in Concert
National Symphony Orchestra
Emil de Cou, conductor

    Experience Disney magic on the big screen when the NSO casts an enchanting musical spell on sorcerer Mickey and other cherished animated characters from Fantasia (1940) and Fantasia 2000

    REPERTOIRE

    • BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67
      Light battles dark in an abstract masterpiece from Fantasia 2000
    • BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 ("Pastoral")
      Pastoral Art Deco interpretation of mythological Greece
    • TCHAIKOVSKY: Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a 
      Light hearted dance by flora, fauna, fairies, and an unforgettable mushroom
    • DEBUSSY "Clair de Lune" from Suite bergamasque  (orch. Stokowski)
      Stunning depiction of two herons flying in the moonlight    
    • STRAVINSKY: Firebird Suite (1919)
      A frightening Firebird seeks to destroy the forest home of a Spring Sprite and her companion elk

    Intermission

    • GERSHWIN: Rhapsody in Blue
      Jazz-inspired urban love paean to Gershwin
    • DUKAS:  The Sorcerer's Apprentice
      Mickey Mouse's iconic animated masterpiece
    • ELGAR: Pomp and Circumstance
      Donald Duck stars as the patriarch in a retelling of Noah's Ark
    • RESPIGHI Pines of Rome
      Mythical animation with flying humpback whales
    • RIMSKY-KORSAKOV/FINA: "Flight of the Bumblebee" from The Tale of Tsar Saltan
      A colorful bee's fast and furious orchestral adventure

    • PONCHIELLI: "Dance of the Hours" from La Gioconda
      Light-hearted classical dance with ostriches, hippos, elephants, and alligators
    • SAINT-SAËNS: Finale from Le carnival des animaux
      A single heroic flamingo, armed with a yo-yo, humorously battles conformity

    FEATURED PERFORMERS

    • National Symphony Orchestra
    • Emil de Cou is the music director of the Pacific Northwest Ballet. This is his 10th season as the official conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra at Wolf Trap. "He's one of the few conductors trying to open new doors into classical music, either with video…or other new technologies aimed at younger audiences."—The Washington Post

    June 20: Pixar in Concert at Wolf Trap


    Friday, June 20 at 8:30 pm at the Filene Center
    Ticket Price: $30-$58
    Pixar in Concert
    National Symphony Orchestra
    Emil de Cou, conductor

    TICKETS
       

    All your favorite animated Pixar films on the big screen including Finding NemoUpToy Story, and Monsters, Inc., paired with memorable scores played by the National Symphony Orchestra

    REPERTOIRE

    • Enjoy music from more than a dozen Pixar films, includingRatatouille, A Bug's Life, Finding Nemo, WALL-E, Up, The Incredibles, Brave, Monsters, Inc., Monsters University, and theCars and Toy Story series.
    • The music was written by renowned composers Randy Newman, Thomas Newman, Michael Giacchino, and Patrick Doyle. Collectively, this music has won 3 Academy Awards and 10 Grammys.

    FEATURED PERFORMERS

    • National Symphony Orchestra
    • Emil de Cou is the music director of the Pacific Northwest Ballet. This is his 10th season as the official conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra at Wolf Trap. "He's one of the few conductors trying to open new doors into classical music, either with video…or other new technologies aimed at younger audiences."—The Washington Post

    Wednesday, June 18, 2014

    Comic Riffs on the death of Charles Barsotti

    RIP, CHARLES BARSOTTI: New Yorker artist was 'master cartoonist, a true original, and a nice guy, to boot.'

    By Michael Cavna

    Washington Post Comic Riffs blog June 18 2014

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2014/06/18/rip-charles-barsotti-new-yorker-artist-was-master-cartoonist-a-true-original-and-a-nice-guy-to-boot/

    Rob Steibel's last Kirby column for TCJ.com

    "Trail May Lead to the Ends of Infinity"

    A close reading of a Thor issue.

    Two Md. retailers up for Eisner retailer award


    Beyond Comics in Frederick, Md., (Jonathan Cohen, owner) and Collector’s Corner in Baltimore (Randy Myers, owner) are nominees for the 2015 Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award. Both stores have been nominated in previous years, a testament to their quality.


    June 28: Matt Dembicki and Jason Rodriguez at American Library Association in Las Vegas

    Two out of three from DC on this panel. And remember, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.... even misfiling.

    Graphic Novel / Gaming Stage - Teaching with Comics -- Matt Dembicki, Jason Rodriguez, Joel Gill

    http://ala14.ala.org/node/15638

    When: 
    Saturday, June 28, 2014 - 10:00am to 11:00am
    Calendar Download to my calendar
    Exhibit Hall - Graphic Novel / Gaming Stage
    Description: 

    A panel discussion with three graphic illustrators and writers exploring the benefits of teaching with comics. The panelists have published books about history, culture and nature, all of which have been successful teaching and learning tools in the classroom and in libraries.

    Meeting Type: 
    Sponsors: 
    ALA
    American Library Association (ALA)
    Cost: 
    Included with conference registration
    Last Updated: 
    Tuesday, June 17, 2014 - 11:36am PDT
    Attendees: 
    113 people interested in attending (View all)

    June 28: Paul Pope at Third Eye Comics

    Paul Pope (Battling Boy, THB, Batman Year 100) will be signing a new revamped reprint of his book Escapo (Z2) at Third Eye Comics in Annapolis, Md., on June 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

    From the Z2 press release: “What’s the scoop on ESCAPO? Like a feverish mash-up of Fellini films, Heavy Metal magazine, and classic Jack Kirby comics, ESCAPO tells the tale of a circus escape artist extraordinaire, who can escape from any situation — even from DEATH himself!”

    June 21: Geek Chic Fashion Show at St. Stephen's

    Fantom Comics and PollySue's Vintage Shop are hosting a Geek Chic Fashion show Saturday night at St. Stephen & the Incarnation Episcopal Church in D.C. “Think nerdy street style, casual cosplay, steampunk couture, Hogwarts riot grrls, high-fashion superheroes, tiny princess super villains, Carol and Kamala Corps, and more!” according to the Facebook event page.

    Tickets are $5 and a percentage of the proceeds will go to Con or Bust, a non-profit that sends fans of color to SFF conventions, according to organizers.

    June 20: Zinefest benefit


    The D.C. Zinefest folks are hosting a benefit Friday for the Richmond (Va.) Zinefest (both shows feature a good dose of self-published comics, mostly by creators in the area; BTW, the D.C. Zinefest will be held Aug. 9 this year; the Richmond show on Oct. 5). The benefit event on June 20 will show the 1988 film "Psycho-Punk Splatter Comedy" at the Fridge art gallery in D.C., starting at 7 p.m. Admission if $5.

    Cavna on sports cartooning

    RIP, TONY GWYNN: How a tribute cartoon ended up with the greatest hitter I ever saw.
    BY MICHAEL CAVNA
    Washington Post Comic Riffs June 16 2014
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2014/06/16/rip-tony-gwynn-how-a-tribute-cartoon-ended-up-with-the-greatest-hitter-i-ever-saw/
     

    David Apatoff on Jack Kirby

    Gail Simone speaking at White House Conference

    Bleeding Cool has the story, or at least screenshots of Simone's tweets, at Gail Simone To Speak At The White House About LGBTQ And Disability Issues.

    Tuesday, June 17, 2014

    From the less distant past: 2006 Washington Post chat with Richard Thompson

    I'm continuing through Cul de Sac tearsheets from the Post Magazine, and ran across notice of a 2006 Washington Post chat with Richard Thompson that I had also forgotten. Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? 

    From the distant past: 2005 Washington Post chat with Richard Thompson

    I'm going through Cul de Sac tearsheets from the Post Magazine, and ran across notice of a 2005 Washington Post chat with Richard Thompson that I had forgotten. It's still online. Return with us to the thrilling days of yesteryear....

    Former DC-area writer Brad Meltzer's new comic out today

    Brad says, "My  new book, I AM ROSA PARKS, is out today.  Buy a copy and help build a library of REAL heroes for your kids, nieces, and nephews.  See exclusive art from it here: http://bradmeltzer.com/book/i-am-rosa-parks/"

     

    I've enjoyed these children's comics.