Monday, May 08, 2017

June 14-17: Library of Congress pop-up exhibit on comics

from https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-17-069/?loclr=eaue

....

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden today announced that the Library will host a series of pop-up displays in its Thomas Jefferson Building to showcase a wider variety of its vast collections.

The pop-ups will feature items related to current events or connect with something happening locally.

.....

The second is Library of Awesome, featuring items from the Library's comic- book collections June 14-17 in conjunction with Awesome-Con, Washington's annual convention of comics, cosplay and pop culture. The Library of Awesome is made possible by gifts to the Library of Congress Fund.

Both pop-ups will be held in the Library's Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First Street, S.E. Both events are free and open to the public. Additional details, including hours and special presentations, will be announced in the coming weeks.


.....


July 9: Neil Gaiman at Wolf Trap



Neil Gaiman
· Hosted by Wolf Trap

"I make things up and write them down," is the way Neil Gaiman describes his varied art. His popular and acclaimed works, including Coraline, The Sandman, American Gods (television adaption coming in 2017), and The Graveyard Book have reached audiences of all ages and made Gaiman one of the most celebrated writers of our time. In this live event, "An Evening with Neil Gaiman," he will tell stories and read stories, answer questions, and in his own words "amaze, befuddle and generally delight. It will be fun and odd and not like any other evening with Neil Gaiman."

Tickets on sale now!

A new Shadow sketch by Wayno

Here's my latest sketch of the Shadow by Pittsburgh's Wayno, a birthday gift from my daughter.



May 13: Library Comic Con in Chantilly with Gene Yang


http://fairfaxlibraryfoundation.org/2017/04/26/library-comic-con/
Fairfax County Public Library is presenting their first Library Comic Con on Saturday, May 13 from 10am – 2:30pm at Chantilly High School! This may be the only Comic Con you'll find for FREE and it's family friendly!
From the library's website:
"Geek out" at our celebration of comic books, science fiction, fantasy, TV, movies and more, featuring Gene Luen Yang, author of the Secret Coders and Avatar: The Last Airbender series (Mr. Yang speaks at 10:30). Books available for sale and signing. Workshops, artists, vendors, prizes, food trucks and cosplay. Family-friendly costumes encouraged. Cosponsored by the Friends of the Chantilly Regional Library. Kids, teens and adults. No registration necessary.
Chantilly High School, 4201 Stringfellow Rd., Chantilly.

Comic Con Schedule – May 13

10:00 – Doors open (Use Main Entrance, Door #1)
10-2:30 – Vendors, Artists' Alley
10-1:00 – Cosplay Central and Superhero Training Camp
10:30 – Keynote Speaker: Gene Luen Yang
11:15 – Author signing begins (limit 2 books per person)
11:45 – Choose from Panel Discussion or Workshop (see details below!)
12-2:30 – Gaming/Chill Zone
12:30 – Lunch, Author signing continues
1:00 – Choose from Nerd Jeopardy or Workshop (see details below!)
2:00 – Cosplay Contest!
*Food trucks will be on site starting at 11am

McDonnell's ‘Me…Jane’ Musical coming to Kennedy Center


Patrick McDonnell of Mutts drew a children's book about scientist Jane Goodall. He reports that it'll be adapted by the Kennedy Center in November.

More details are on the Kennedy Center site.

Saturday, May 06, 2017

The Post on Disney weddings and Guardians vol. 2

What's it like getting married at Disney? It's not always a fairy tale [in print as Weddings, wished upon a star].

Washington Post May 7 2017, p. E14
online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/whats-it-like-getting-married-at-disney-its-not-always-a-fairy-tale/2017/05/04/59390a66-2c24-11e7-be51-b3fc6ff7faee_story.html

Is young Kurt Russell in 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' the best de-aging of an actor ever? [in print as In 'Guardians,' the young Russell is a CGI marvel, May 6, p. C1, 4]


Washington Post
Comic Riffs blog May 5 2017.:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2017/05/05/is-young-kurt-russell-in-guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-the-best-de-aging-of-an-actor-ever/

How 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' reflects its director's painful childhood


Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 5 2017.:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2017/05/05/how-guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-reflects-its-directors-painful-childhood/

The City Paper on Guardians Vol. 2 and Dash Shaw's animation

My Entire High School Sinking Into the Sea Is a Trippy Animated Disaster Comedy [in print as The Fault in Their Stars]

Director Dash Shaw pays homage to various films, TV shows, and videogames, including The Poseidon Adventure in his feature debut.

Washington City Paper May 5, 2017, p. 23
online at http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/film-tv/blog/20860315/my-entire-high-school-sinking-into-the-sea-reviewed

With Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, James Gunn Delivers Another Marvel Hit [in print as Space is the Place].

The film builds off the success of the first Guardians of the Galaxy, while adding emotional depth to its characters.

Washington City Paper May 5, 2017, p. 25
online athttp://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/film-tv/blog/20860276/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-reviewed

Free Comic Book Day at Victory Comics

Free comic book day at Big Planet Comics Vienna

Friday, May 05, 2017

Mike Thompson wins Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award for cartooning

"The Flint Water Scandal," by Mike Thompson
Detroit Free Press

NPR on Free Comic Book Day and Guardians 2

Amanda Frazier: An Artomatic Interview

by Mike Rhode

A post shared by Amanda (@artbyoldskoolgeek) on
Amanda Frazier will probably be our last Artomatic interview since the  show closes tomorrow. She's a librarian who's lately been painting pieces taken from a single panel of an older comic book.

What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

I wouldn’t have thought of myself as someone doing comic work until receiving this, but perhaps because I think that has a lot to do with feeling like comic artists are more likely the actual creators of content, whereas I’m sorta more reproducing, sometimes throwing in my own spin and drawing attention to it?


How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?

Acrylic on canvas, but I don’t do the Ben-Day dots like Lichtenstein so everything is solid.

20170331_213138

When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?

I’m going to play coy on the when but the where is Fairfax, VA.

Why are you in Washington now?  What neighborhood or area do you live in?

Not in Washington, though I often wish I was, but I live in Northern Virginia.


What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

None. I’ve been making art of some sort since I could grasp a crayon.  In my 8th grade art class I was making quirky things to entertain my friends, or myself but I could tell that it wasn’t considered “real” or “serious” art so I abandoned it.


Who are your influences?

Obviously pop artists like Lichtenstein and Warhol influence me.  Growing up I was drawn to their bold, flat colors and I enjoyed the attention they brought to everyday things.  For my teen years-early 20’s, I worked in collage and spent hours cutting up old magazines, advertisements, comics, and photographs; delighting in placing them in out of context and sometimes inappropriate situations.  I felt like I was creating art, but also playing.  Eventually I switched over to mainly painting, but never lost my appreciation for comic book artwork.



If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?

Well, I don’t have a career related to art so perhaps I would go back and tell my teen self not to give up, that there is plenty of room in the art world for the stuff I create.  Maybe find a way to blend my current job (librarian) with something creative.


What work are you best-known for?

I don’t know about “known,” but most pieces are related to pop culture.


What work are you most proud of?

Anything that I can create that also speaks to someone else.


What would you like to do or work on in the future?

I’ve always wanted to incorporate music.  Or a background loop of farting noises.


What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?

Originally I got back into art to distract me from the writer’s block I was suffering from with my creative writing.

What do you think will be the future of your field?

I’m curious to see how the increased use of 3D printing will shape and be shaped by the art world.


What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Awesome Con, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?

I’ve attended SPX a few times and last year Awesome Con.  They’re fun and most excellent for people watching.


What's your favorite thing about DC?

There is an endless supply of new and exciting things to do or see.

Least favorite?

Traffic.



What monument or museum do you like to take visitors to?

I love the Renwick, Portrait Gallery, and Hirshhorn.

How about a favorite local restaurant?

Not in DC but out in the hinterland I’ve been having a long-term love affair with Kumo Sushi in Herndon.

Do you have a website or blog?

I used to have one, but because I’d go through periods of inactivity, updating it seemed like a chore.  Then I went to Meet the Artist night last weekend and felt neglectful for not having any web presence so I went home and put stuff up on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbyoldskoolgeek/
My etsy shop is http://www.etsy.com/shop/oldskoolgeek/

The Express on Wonder Woman

This may be the reason you're not seeing much 'Wonder Woman' marketing [in print as Ad subtraction: Wonder if this is sexism? It's not].


Does this look like a woman who needs a Happy Meal tie-in? (Warner Bros)

The Reelist is a column featuring Kristen Page-Kirby's musings on movies.

Marc Nobleman's new documentary on Batman debuts tomorrow

The Post on Guardians 2 and Dash Shaw's animation

'My Entire High School Sinking Into the Sea': Laughs amid the waves [in print as Finally, a movie for teen freaks, geeks and misfits].


Washington Post May 5 2017, p. Weekend 32

The animation of "My Entire High School Sinking Into the Sea" isn't any more sophisticated than what could be found doodled on a notebook, but the comedy has an ocean's worth of cleverness and nihilism. (Gkids)

'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2': Bigger, better — and more touching — than the original [in print as A sequel that's bigger, better, more touching].


Washington Post May 5 2017, p. Weekend 30-31

From left, Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Nebula (Karen Gillan), Star-Lord/Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), Drax (Dave Bautista) and Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) reprise their roles in Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2." It's more expansive, more beautiful, funnier and nuttier than the first film — and it features another great soundtrack. (Film Frame/Marvel Studios)

Signed Reid Fleming book on sale at Second Story Books in DC

9-315-1272780

David Boswell
FUN WITH REID FLEMING
WORLD'S TOUGHEST MILKMAN
[SIGNED]
Forestville, California: Eclipse Books, 1991. Limited Edition. Number 3 of 300 copies, signed by author on limitations page. The inspiration for Boswell's truculent milkman includes a real-life childhood bully and influences as wide-ranging as film directors Josef von Sternberg and Luis Buñuel, composer Hector Berlioz, comedians Buster Keaton and W.C. Fields, humorist Robert Benchley, and early Hollywood and European cinema stars. A unique character optioned in the 1980s for a film as yet unproduced. Hardcover with dust jacket. 173 pages.
9-315-1272780          $100



Sat, May 6: Free Comic Book Day

Local comics stores will be handing out comics. There's over 50 possible selections although no one store will be carrying everything most likely. Remember that the comics aren't free to the store, so try to buy something while you're there.

Details of the day are at http://www.freecomicbookday.com/catalog




Thursday, May 04, 2017

PR: Free Comic Book Day - Saturday, May 6th at Beyond Comics


Saturday, May 6th
LOCATIONS
Frederick
Gaithersburg
Shepherdstown
INFORMATION
SALE ITEMS
Hot Toys
BOGO 25% Off

Action Figures 
25% Off

Apparel
25% Off

Hero Clix & Dice Mast 
25% Off

Walking Dead A/F
25% Off

Back Issues (Bin) 
25% Off

Banks
25% Off

DC Collectible Statues
20% Off

Big Bang Theory Toys
BOGO

Dice Masters Accssries 
25% Off

Magazines
25% Off

Graphic Novels 
25% Off

Kotobukiya Figures
25% Off

Manga 
25% Off

New Comics
25% Off

Play Arts Kai Figures 
25% Off

Posters
25% Off

RAH Figures 
25% Off

Toon Tumblers
25% Off

Toys 
25% Off

Batman Animated A/F
25% Off

Book Collections
25% Off

Marvel Select A/F
25% Off

Gotham A/F
25% Off

Some exclusions apply and does not include recent arrivals. Visit stores for details. 
Join Our Mailing List
 
Doors Open at 10am

Bring in a non-perishable food donation
to get access to extra Free Comics!

Frederick Guest Creators:
Stephane Roux(Birds of Prey)

Terry Flippo

(Axel & Alex) 

Mike Imboden

(Fist of Justice) 




And a Special Appearance By Rian Miller

Gaithersburg Guest Creators:
Carl Yonder (Pirate Eye)
John Watkins Chow



Shepherdstown Guest Creator:

Danielle Corsetto

(Girls With Slingshots) 

Jamie Noguchi
(Yellow Peril)


 
Frederick
5632 Buckeystown Pike
Frederick, MD
Gaithersburg
18749 B N. Frederick Rd.
Gaithersburg, MD
Shepherdstwon
207 S. Princess ST.
Shpeherdstown, WV
Beyond Comics, 18749 B North Frederick Avenue, 5632 Buckeystown Pike Frederick, MD, 207 S. Princess Street - Shepherdstown, WV, Gaithersburg, MD 20879


Tuesday, May 02, 2017

Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "Yer Liberals, no. 3"

From DC's anarchist cartoonist, Mike Flugennock...


"Yer Liberals, No. 3"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=2251

For the better part of a year and a half, Liberals have been screeching about how Sanders wasn't "a real Democrat", saying he was "damaging" the Democrats and that he and his supporters should leave the party -- and after a year and a half of bullying, public insults, blame-shifting, gaslighting and other abuse, most progressive Democrats and other Left constituencies are thinking that ditching the Democratic Party sounds like a helluvan idea.

Needless to say these days, Liberals aren't getting the reaction they're hoping for from the Left on that point and, of course, the Liberals are having kind of a hard time getting their heads around it. Seems that finally, Liberal Democrats and the Left have reached common ground – just not in the way Liberals wanted.

Comic Riffs on Mankoff's new Equire cartoon job

New Esquire humor editor Bob Mankoff says he'll ditch the 'delusional' open-call approach of his New Yorker years


Washington Post
Comic Riffs blog May 2 2017
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2017/05/02/new-esquire-humor-editor-bob-mankoff-says-hell-ditch-the-delusional-open-call-approach-of-his-new-yorker-years/

New ReDistricted comic by Kramer is online

"The Evolution of a Monument" by Josh Kramer is now on ReDistrictedComics.com! https://www.redistrictedcomics.com/washingtonmonument


Sunday, April 30, 2017

The Post on Mankoff, Brodner and Sherman's Lagoon

Nobody knows cartoons like the New Yorker's Bob Mankoff. Were mine good enough for him? [in print as A discerning toon-smith's last hurrah].


Washington Post April 29 2017, p. C1, 2
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/nobody-knows-cartoons-like-the-new-yorkers-bob-mankoff-were-mine-good-enough-for-him/2017/04/28/3519ebee-2ac3-11e7-b605-33413c691853_story.html

An illustrated guide to President Trump's first 100 days

Who's who and what's what


Washington Post April 30 2017
online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2017/04/28/an-illustrated-guide-to-president-trumps-first-100-days/

An out-of-character error for an erudite resident of 'Sherman's Lagoon' [in print as An erudite sea turtle would never stand for this]

Jim Gaarder, Columbia

Washington Post April 29 2017, p. a15
online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/an-out-of-character-error-for-an-erudite-resident-of-shermans-lagoon/2017/04/28/2d83cbd4-29dd-11e7-9081-f5405f56d3e4_story.html

Yang at Fairfax County library comic con May 13

Gene Luen Yang will be a featured guest at the Fairfax Library Comic Con May 13 from 10 am to 2:30 pm. It will be held at Chantilly High School, 4201 Stringfellow Rd., Chantilly, Va.

“‘Geek out’ at our celebration of comic books, science fiction, fantasy, TV, movies and more,” according to the promotion at the library system’s website.

There will be books will be for sale and signing, as well as workshops, artists, vendors, prizes, food trucks and cosplay.

Friday, April 28, 2017

The Post reviews Gamain's American Gods tv show

Starz's stylish 'American Gods' is long on concept, but short on momentum [in print as Starz's 'American Gods' is visually reverent, but its pace may be a problem].


Washington Post April 28 2017, p. C1, 3
online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/starzs-stylish-american-gods-is-long-on-concept-but-short-on-momentum/2017/04/27/71afdff4-2ab5-11e7-b605-33413c691853_story.html

Comic Riffs says goodbye to the New Yorker's Mankoff, in pictures

How exiting New Yorker cartoon editor Bob Mankoff views his legacy — in eight comic panels


Washington Post 
Comic Riffs blog April 28 2017
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2017/04/28/how-exiting-new-yorker-cartoon-editor-bob-mankoff-views-his-legacy-in-eight-comic-panels/

May 17: China Mieville at Politics and Prose bookstore


For reference on his comic work: http://comicbookdb.com/creator.php?ID=20958 - he did a long Dial H for Hero run for DC Comics.

China Mieville - October: The Story of the Russian Revolution

Wednesday, May 17 at 7 p.m.
October: The Story of the Russian Revolution Cover Image
$26.95
ISBN: 9781784782771
Availability: Coming Soon—Pre-Order Now
Published: Verso - May 9th, 2017

Presenting the Russian Revolution as both a landmark political event and as a breathtaking story, Miéville, author of London's Overthrow and Between Equal Rights, along with fiction that has won the Hugo, World Fantasy, and Arthur C. Clarke awards, gives a detailed and vivid rundown of how an autocratic monarchy became the world's first socialist state in just nine months. It happened in two stages, starting with the February Revolution, which rid the country of the Tsar and installed a Provisional Government. Consisting largely of members of the former imperialist Duma, this Provisional Government was itself overturned in October, after Socialists consolidated power via the Soviets, or workers' councils. Miéville captures the era's chaos as well as its exhilaration.

Miéville will be in conversation with Barbara Ehrenreich, author of several books including Nickel and Dimed.

5015 Connecticut Ave NW   Washington   DC    20008





Thursday, April 27, 2017

March up for LA Times Book Prize

Why a civil rights icon chose to tell his story in the form of a comic book

Carolyn Kellogg
April 22, 2017
http://www.latimes.com/books/la-festival-books-updates-why-a-civil-rights-icon-chose-to-tell-1492906821-htmlstory.html

Cohen art for local spirits-tasting event

Local comic booker and Magic Bullet editor Andrew Cohen did some art for a booze-tasting event at Union Drinkery on May 7.


The Express on 'Fun Home'

The star and designer of 'Fun Home' on how their show still surprises audiences [in print as 'Fun Home' stirs up lots of memories]


Express April 27 2017, p. 22-23
online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2017/04/27/the-star-and-designer-of-fun-home-on-how-their-show-still-surprises-audiences/

Sara Duke's courtroom art exhibit featured at Comic Riffs

From Manson to O.J.: A new exhibit spotlights the fading art of the courtroom sketch


Washington Post Comic Riffs blog April 26 2017
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2017/04/26/from-manson-to-o-j-a-new-exhibit-spotlights-the-fading-art-of-the-courtroom-sketch/

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

CIA archives apparently hold some cartoons

Funny papers, please: a sampling of comic strips in the CIA's archives

From Soviet satire to psychic Dilbert, the strangest strips hidden in CREST

Written by JPat Brown
Edited by Michael Morisy

https://www.muckrock.com/news/archives/2017/apr/24/comics-cias-archives/

Great Big Stories mentions Library of Congress' comic book collection

There's Something for Everyone at the World's Largest Library
http://www.greatbigstory.com/stories/the-largest-library-in-the-world

The comics appear at about 3:00, but the whole video is worth watching.

Monday, April 24, 2017

April 30: Max Fleischer film screening in Rockville

Stone Branch School of Art at 2 pm, with a lecture by his grand-daughter, Virginia Mahoney.