Bob Mankoff is likely to be the smartest person about humor and cartoons that will ever be hired by a magazine in our lifetime. Anyone interested in gag cartooning should read his books and autiobio. I can't blame him for going out on top, and heck, his predecessor Lee Lorenz is still alive too, thus showing that not only Popes should get out when they can. - MR
Comic Riffs blog
Friday, March 03, 2017
DC papers review Logan
I saw the movie in a sneak preview last week. It's pretty darn bloody and earns its R rating. However I liked it a lot, and Dafne Keen, the actress who played the young girl, did a fantastic job. Any movie with Shane in its DNA is ok in my book.
In 'Logan,' one enemy is time [in print as Before sunset: In 'Logan,' the years take their toll]
Express
'Logan': Hugh Jackman, as the Wolverine, goes out fighting [in print as The 'X-Men' grown up, and brooding].
, p. Weekend 27
https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/logan-hugh-jackman-as-the-wolverine-goes-out-fighting/2017/03/02/af7a6380-fb72-11e6-9845-576c69081518_story.html
Aw, heck, here's the NYT too -
In 'Logan,' one enemy is time [in print as Before sunset: In 'Logan,' the years take their toll]
Express
'Logan': Hugh Jackman, as the Wolverine, goes out fighting [in print as The 'X-Men' grown up, and brooding].
https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/logan-hugh-jackman-as-the-wolverine-goes-out-fighting/2017/03/02/af7a6380-fb72-11e6-9845-576c69081518_story.html
In 'Logan,' a Comic-Book Stalwart Turns Noirish Western
A version of this review appears in print on March 3, 2017, on Page C1 of the New York edition with the headline: A Noirish Western With Comic-Book Claws.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/02/movies/logan-review-hugh-jackman-wolverine-x-men.htmlJames Mangold Narrates a Scene From 'Logan'
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/02/movies/james-mangold-interview-logan.htmlThursday, March 02, 2017
Q&A with Rafer Roberts about his Valiant work
by Matt Dembicki
Local comic book writer/artist Rafer Roberts has over the past couple of years made a transition from focusing on self-published work to writing a couple of titles for Valiant Entertainment. Rafer answered a few questions we posed to him about his experience with that.
You transitioned into doing mainstream comics about two years ago (though you still do some DIY work). What’s the biggest different you’ve experience between doing your own self-published comics and working for a comics publisher on a monthly title?
I also get to work with some incredible artists. David Lafuente, Mike Norton, Darick Robertson, Ryan Winn, Ryan Lee, Juan Jose Ryp, Raul Allen, Brian Reber, David Baron, and on and on and on. It is an easy life for a writer when the art teams are as amazing as this.
You mentioned that having regular deadlines are daunting. How do you keep on track while ensuring you continue to be creative in your writing?
Being creative isn’t the problem; but being creative on a schedule can be. You have to treat this like a job and follow some kind of work routine. I get up around the same time every day, give myself the first hour to wake up, and then make comics until I have to go to the day job. Sometimes “making comics” involves actually writing a script, or drawing something, but just as often that can be revising a script, or answering email, or writing an outline or pitch.
Local comic book writer/artist Rafer Roberts has over the past couple of years made a transition from focusing on self-published work to writing a couple of titles for Valiant Entertainment. Rafer answered a few questions we posed to him about his experience with that.
You transitioned into doing mainstream comics about two years ago (though you still do some DIY work). What’s the biggest different you’ve experience between doing your own self-published comics and working for a comics publisher on a monthly title?
Editors and deadlines! Working on my own stuff, whether it’s PLASTIC FARM or NIGHTMARE THE RAT, is a lot of fun but (I admit) there is quite a bit more freedom in content and speed at which I work.That can be both a blessing and a curse. I am solely responsible for content and making sure that it comes out in a timely fashion, as well as responsible for all the marketing and distribution.
With the WFH (work for hire) stuff, there is a certain amount of back-and-forth between me and my editors, breaking down what the stories are going to be, as well as notes on how to improve said stories and ensure that they fit within the publisher’s larger plans. Deadlines give the creative process a needed sense of urgency. It’s a far different process of coming up with a comic at your own pace and coming up with a new comic every month.
I also get to work with some incredible artists. David Lafuente, Mike Norton, Darick Robertson, Ryan Winn, Ryan Lee, Juan Jose Ryp, Raul Allen, Brian Reber, David Baron, and on and on and on. It is an easy life for a writer when the art teams are as amazing as this.
You mentioned that having regular deadlines are daunting. How do you keep on track while ensuring you continue to be creative in your writing?
Being creative isn’t the problem; but being creative on a schedule can be. You have to treat this like a job and follow some kind of work routine. I get up around the same time every day, give myself the first hour to wake up, and then make comics until I have to go to the day job. Sometimes “making comics” involves actually writing a script, or drawing something, but just as often that can be revising a script, or answering email, or writing an outline or pitch.
The real trick is keeping with that routine. It’s all about inertia. Once you get into a routine, once you get moving, it takes out half the effort required. If I fall out of my routine, if I don’t work for a week or so, then it is very difficult to get up and running again.
Can you briefly walk us through how you pitched yourself to Valiant? How did it pair you with the title your working on?
I had drawn a few DARKSEID AND THANOS: CARPOOL BUDDIES OF DOOM with writer Justin Jordan. Warren Simons, the editor-in-chief at Valiant, saw those and hired us to do similar comics as backups. I found that I really enjoyed working for Valiant and did everything I could to stick around. I gave Warren a few of my writing samples, and a few months later he called and asked me to pitch on a few books. Of those early pitches, ARCHER AND ARMSTRONG was the best fit and a great learning experience. HARBINGER was a much longer process, and one that involved much more back-and-forth during development. The series that is coming out right now bears very little resemblance to the initial series pitch.
What’s on your plate for the next six months?
Mostly writing HARBINGER RENEGADE. We’re building up to a huge event with HARBINGER WARS 2, which is my first event that I get to write. It’s maybe the most difficult thing I have attempted in comics thus far, but also (due to the amazing editors and art teams I get to work with) intensely rewarding. I’m also going to get back to NIGHTMARE THE RAT. I’m real close to finishing the series and want to put out a collection sometime this year. I also have a few pitches and other in-development projects out in the world, but nothing concrete enough to mention.
(Editor's note: The A&A pages are drawn by Mike Norton, colored by Allen Passalaqua, lettered by Dave Sharpe. The Harbinger page is by Darick Robertson, Richard Clarke, Diego Rodriguez and David Lanphear.)
Tom Hanks gives Bill Mauldin cartoon to White House Press Corps
See it here, along with some other less interesting gift:
http://dcist.com/2017/03/tom_hanks_buys_white_house_press_co.php
Tom Hanks Buys White House Press Corps A(nother) Espresso Machine
The Nation covers itself with a Doonesbury strip on the President...
...and they would like you to know about it. It goes on sale March 14th.
New York, NY -- March 2, 2017 -- Donald Trump loves to attack the news media, but he wouldn't be president today without them, argues acclaimed press critic and guest editor Mark Hertsgaard in this special issue of The Nation. Gracing the cover of "Media in the Trump Era" (March 20, 2017) is a lacerating cartoon by legendary Doonesbury creator Garry Trudeau. The issue's articles -- some published in conjunction with The Columbia Journalism Review -- stress solutions, not lamentations. Plus, something not normally associated with The Nation: laughs! The issue's overriding purpose, however, is deadly serious: How should the news media cover the combative new president, and how can American journalism regain public trust and audiences?
Continued at https://www.thenation.com/article/the-nation-special-issue-tackles-trumps-war-on-the-media-and-how-journalism-can-prevail/
Trump's War On The Media-And How Journalism Can Prevail:
Doonesbury and Columbia Journalism Review join special Nation issue on covering a hostile White House and regaining public trust and audiences.
This release is also published here.
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March: Meet Arsia Rozegar (who also works in mainstream comics)
From Arsia Rozegar's Facebook page (with his permission):
Where you can find me and Shahnameh For Kids this Nowruz Season.
March 5th 2pm-6pm
Persian Cultural Center Musical Norooz Celebration
3501 Rebel Run, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
https://www.facebook.com/events/1800991773493749/
March 11th 3pm-5pm
FSK Nowruz Celebration for Children
7130 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22043
https://www.facebook.com/events/630098230497046/
March 12th 10am-6pm
6th Annual Nowruz Festival
8100 Tysons Corner Ctr, McLean, Virginia 22102
https://www.facebook.com/events/1831856433763406/
March 19th 2pm-7pm
Nowruz Arts & Crafts Fair at Pars Place
2236 -C Gallows Rd, Vienna, Virginia 22182
https://www.facebook.com/events/750211955134994/
March 25th 7pm-11pm
Persian Parade DC Chapter's Nowruz Fundraising Gala
7801 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, Virginia 22043
https://www.facebook.com/events/1247434268679566/
April 2nd, 9am-6pm
6th Annual Sizdah Bedar (Persian Spring Festival) #13BedarDC
Bull Run Regional Park Special Events Center, Centreville, VA
https://www.facebook.com/events/849893055150605/
Researcher Talk: Dear Sirs: I Believe You are Wasting Your Time
Researcher Talk: Dear Sirs: I Believe You are Wasting Your Time
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDQSuhmMGL0
Wednesday, March 01, 2017
Medical illustrator and cartoonist Jeff Day
I just heard about medical illustrator and cartoonist Jeff Day who is currently working at the National Library of Medicine - his website is http://www.daybiomed.com/
The Post mentions "Headline Hunter" comic strip
How a torpedoed ocean liner boosted the career of a D.C.-born newsman [in print as Aboard a torpedoed ocean liner was this reporter's idea of somewhere to be].
Washington Post
The Post on Valiant's Secret Weapons
The Oscar-nominated writer of 'Arrival' is bringing a new series to Valiant Comics
By David Betancourt
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog February 23 2017
Comic Riffs on Garfield trolling
Garfield's a boy … right? How a cartoon cat's gender identity launched a Wikipedia war.
Washington Post Comic Riffs
Mar 13: 'We Wear the Masks: Poetry and Fiction Inspired by Comic Books'
PEN/Faulkner Fiction and the O.B. Hardison Poetry Series come
together to explore the evolving influence that comic books have on
writers. The writers will read from their work and participate in a
post-reading conversation moderated by Dr. Tara Betts, Visiting Lecturer at University of Illinois-Chicago. Using handwritten poems and passages, the artists of Ink Brick, a micro-press for comic book poetry, will create one-of-a-kind comic book broadside for this event March 13 at 7:30 pm at Folger Theatre. Tickets are $15.
Manuel Gonzales is the author of The Miniature Wife and Other Stories, which won the Sue Kaufman Prize for First Fiction and the John Gardner Prize for Fiction, and the novel, The Regional Office Is Under Attack! He teaches creative writing for the University of Kentucky and the Institute of American Indian Arts.
Yona Harvey is the author of Hemming the Water, which won the 2014 Kate Tufts Discovery Award, and is a co-author of the Marvel Comics series Black Panther: World of Wakanda.
Gary Jackson is the author of Missing You, Metropolis which was selected by Yusef Komunyakaa as winner of the 2009 Cave Canem Poetry Prize. He is an assistant professor at the College of Charleston in South Carolina.
Discounted tickets for students, seniors and military members are available by calling the Folger box office.
Manuel Gonzales is the author of The Miniature Wife and Other Stories, which won the Sue Kaufman Prize for First Fiction and the John Gardner Prize for Fiction, and the novel, The Regional Office Is Under Attack! He teaches creative writing for the University of Kentucky and the Institute of American Indian Arts.
Yona Harvey is the author of Hemming the Water, which won the 2014 Kate Tufts Discovery Award, and is a co-author of the Marvel Comics series Black Panther: World of Wakanda.
Gary Jackson is the author of Missing You, Metropolis which was selected by Yusef Komunyakaa as winner of the 2009 Cave Canem Poetry Prize. He is an assistant professor at the College of Charleston in South Carolina.
Discounted tickets for students, seniors and military members are available by calling the Folger box office.
March 6: Will Eisner week at Library of Congress
Will Eisner Centennial: Discovering His Legacy in the Library's Collections
Curatorial Display
Will Eisner Centennial: Discovering His Legacy in the Library's Collections
When: Monday, March 6, 2017, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM
Where: Madison Building, Room 139.
Join curators from the Prints & Photographs Division and the Serial & Government Publications Division in a celebration of noted cartoonist, comic book publisher, and graphic novelist Will Eisner. A selection of 30-35 objects will include comic books or related published items, and drawings including a few originals by Eisner and other key creators some of whose work will relate to the comic books on exhibit. Curators and other colleagues will be available to talk about items on view.
This event is co-sponsored by Prints & Photographs Division and the Serial & Government Publications Division.
Click here for more information.
March 9: R. Sikoryak On Tour For Terms and Conditions in Baltimore
Public
· Hosted by Drawn and Quarterly
Details
R. Sikoryak will be on tour this Winter and Spring for the launch of his brand new release: Terms and Conditions, which translates the entire itunes terms and conditions agreement into graphic novel form. Each page pays homage to a specific comic book style (Beetle Bailey, Hark! A Vagrant, Family Circus, The Simpsons, Astro Boy, Saga, and more), perfectly capturing one of the most omnipresent and overlooked texts of our time! Catch him in a city near you, with full tour details below.
Baltimore, MD
Thursday, March 9, 2017 - 7:00pm
Atomic Books
3629 Falls Rd, 21211
Baltimore, MD
Thursday, March 9, 2017 - 7:00pm
Atomic Books
3629 Falls Rd, 21211
March 26: Evil Cyborg Sea Monsters at Arlington Drafthouse
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Join us for a special comedy show as comedian/ cartoonist Mike Capozzola presents "Evil Cyborg Sea Monsters!"
This is a multimedia comedy show about superheroes, action movies, sci-fi, monsters and secret agents.
Learn more and register!
If you're a fan of Star Trek, Star Wars, James Bond, Batman, Spiderman, Game of Thrones and time travel: DO NOT come to this show! These things are irreverently mocked and dissected by a pro. Mike's done the show at various theatres, comic book conventions, libraries and comedy festivals in the U.S. and the U.K.
Mike Capozzola is a Bay Area based Stand Up Comedian and a published cartoonist (MAD Magazine, Ted Talks, WIRED, Best of McSweeney's). He's on the Advisory Board of The Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco. He produces and hosts the annual "Comics 4 Comix" comedy event there. www.Capozzola.com NOTE- this show is "PG-14" and runs about an hour. Only Ten bucks!
Also appearing, comedian Robert Mac!
"Evil Cyborg Sea Monsters" Prior Shows:
East Bay Comic Con
Berkeley Comic Festival
San Francisco Comic Con
Lafayette ComicFest 2016
York, England GeekFest 2016
The Nantucket Comedy Festival
The Cartoon Museum of London
The Sacramento Comedy Festival
The Leavitt Theatre - Ogunquit, ME
If you're a fan of Star Trek, Star Wars, James Bond, Batman, Spiderman, Game of Thrones and time travel: DO NOT come to this show! These things are irreverently mocked and dissected by a pro. Mike's done the show at various theatres, comic book conventions, libraries and comedy festivals in the U.S. and the U.K.
Mike Capozzola is a Bay Area based Stand Up Comedian and a published cartoonist (MAD Magazine, Ted Talks, WIRED, Best of McSweeney's). He's on the Advisory Board of The Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco. He produces and hosts the annual "Comics 4 Comix" comedy event there. www.Capozzola.com NOTE- this show is "PG-14" and runs about an hour. Only Ten bucks!
Also appearing, comedian Robert Mac!
"Evil Cyborg Sea Monsters" Prior Shows:
East Bay Comic Con
Berkeley Comic Festival
San Francisco Comic Con
Lafayette ComicFest 2016
York, England GeekFest 2016
The Nantucket Comedy Festival
The Cartoon Museum of London
The Sacramento Comedy Festival
The Leavitt Theatre - Ogunquit, ME
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
March 5: Indie Book Club: A Land Called Tarot Skype with Gael Bertrand
Hosted by Fantom Comics
Fantom Comics
2010 P Street NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20036
Details
One of our favorite stories serialized in Island magazine, Gael Bertrand's silent fantasy comic A Land Called Tarot finally got a hardcover--even if you haven't been reading Island, A Land Called Tarot is a fantastic standalone story about... portals? A shape-shifting boy? Who knows. It's great tho. PLUS we'll be Skyping with creator Gael Bertrand!
Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "Put A Fork In 'Em"
From DC's anarchist cartoonist Mike Flugennock:
"Put A Fork In 'Em"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=2223
So, despite a strong progressive groundswell for Keith Ellison, Clinton flunkie Tom Perez has been elected Chairman of the Democratic Party (as if it really matters), and he won the way Democrats always win these days -- by kissing Wall Street's ass, licking Israel's boots, and taking a big, steaming dump all over the Left.
This was inspired by a recently-tweeted nugget of gold from Wikileaks' John Podesta email trove, a snotty little fart by Perez in reply to one of the Hillary campaign honcho's missives.
So, how'd that "stick a fork in him" thing work out for you guys?
"Put A Fork In 'Em"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=22
So, despite a strong progressive groundswell for Keith Ellison, Clinton flunkie Tom Perez has been elected Chairman of the Democratic Party (as if it really matters), and he won the way Democrats always win these days -- by kissing Wall Street's ass, licking Israel's boots, and taking a big, steaming dump all over the Left.
This was inspired by a recently-tweeted nugget of gold from Wikileaks' John Podesta email trove, a snotty little fart by Perez in reply to one of the Hillary campaign honcho's missives.
So, how'd that "stick a fork in him" thing work out for you guys?
New children's book from Marc Tyler Nobleman
From his newsletter -
If you have been meaning to invest in a picture book comedy starring the most infamous Latino myth of modern times, please consider The Chupacabra Ate the Candelabra.
It's my latest, it's lusciously illustrated by Mexican-born artist Ana Aranda, and it's out 3/7/17—but the biggest way one can support an upcoming book is by pre-ordering it. Why? See the P.S.
Also, ordering now means you'll have one less thing to do during the frantic buildup to St. Patrick's Day.
Options:
Reactions:
If you have been meaning to invest in a picture book comedy starring the most infamous Latino myth of modern times, please consider The Chupacabra Ate the Candelabra.
It's my latest, it's lusciously illustrated by Mexican-born artist Ana Aranda, and it's out 3/7/17—but the biggest way one can support an upcoming book is by pre-ordering it. Why? See the P.S.
Also, ordering now means you'll have one less thing to do during the frantic buildup to St. Patrick's Day.
Options:
Reactions:
- Junior Library Guild selection
- School Library Journal Popular Pick
- Kids' Indie Next List
- "Readers will be sorry when this one is over" —Publishers Weekly
- "Not since Skippyjon Jones have I been so entertained by a silly Spanglish picture book. I laughed out loud." —Angela, Good Reads
- "That's hilarious! What does it mean?" —1st grader on book title
Press Release: Artomatic 2017 Registration Opens
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