Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Nov. 30: Animators Happy Hour @ Franklin Hall

Per The Duke & the Duck animators regarding a happy hour on November 30 at Franklin Hall:  

"Hey DC animators! We're hosting a happy hour to bring together all the awesome talent that is in DC. It'll be a pretty low key event, just hanging out chatting about new projects, clients from hell and the latest and greatest cat videos (well maybe not the last one...) We're meeting up at Franklin Hall, they have a huge selection of drinks and an awesome open space. Hang out starts at 6, but feel free to come by whenever. Looking forward to seeing everyone there! -The Duke & The Duck Team"

https://www.facebook.com/events/133453307290916/

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Catching up with Comic Riffs on Coco, Justice League and Watchmen

How Pixar's 'Coco' became a huge box-office hit [in print as After early missetp, Pixar guided 'Coco' to cultural authenticity]

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog November 26 , Washington Post November 28 2017, p. C1, 3
online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2017/11/26/how-pixars-coco-became-a-huge-box-office-hit/

Frida Kahlo empowered an actress to fight harassment. Now she voices Frida in 'Coco.'

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog November 22 2017

The Post on McDonnell's Goodall play

'Me . . . Jane' offers a musical look at a famous scientist when she was just a girl [in print as The wild dreams of a future scientist]

November 28 2017, p.
Online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/me--jane-offers-a-musical-look-at-a-famous-scientist-when-she-was-just-a-girl/2017/11/27/0850e132-cf1c-11e7-81bc-c55a220c8cbe_story.html

Sunday, November 26, 2017

SpongeBob Squarepants used to go to school in DC...

... or rather the actor in the new musical went to Georgetown Day School...

He Knows Bikini Bottom. Now He Gets to Swim There.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/22/theater/spongebob-squarepants-broadway-ethan-slater.html

Arlington's Chip Beck becomes Gettysburg battlefield artist

Gettysburg National Military Park U.S. Veteran, Chip Beck, as the NEW National Park Service Artist-in-Residence

http://nbherard.com/business/gettysburg-national-military-park-u-s-veteran-chip-beck-as-the-new-national-park-service-artist-in-residence/12314

Nov. 28: Charlie Brown Movie and Craft

Rosedale Library in D.C. celebrates Charles M. Schulz’s birthday on November 28 with a viewing of one of the Charlie Brown TV movie specials and making a Peanuts-themed craft. For ages 6 and up. Event starts at 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 25, 2017

That darn Curtis and Sally Forth

Thanks, but it's not a feast day [in print as It's actually not a feast day].

Sherri Deck, Rockville

Washington Post November 25 2017, p. A15

'Sally Forth' provides a gentle reminder on a sensitive, important subject [in print as A gentle reminder on a sensitive subject].

David Garner, Woodbridge

Washington Post November 25 2017, p. A15
online athttps://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/sally-forth-provides-a-gentle-reminder-on-a-sensitive-important-subject/2017/11/24/8df13b36-cf38-11e7-a87b-47f14b73162a_story.html

Friday, November 24, 2017

Dec 9: Nilah Magruder at East City Books



Hey MD/DC/VA, I'm coming to visit soon! I'll be at to read and sign HOW TO FIND A FOX on Dec. 9 at 11 am!


She's done work for Marvel, IDW, Action Lab Entertainment, Insight Comics, and Lion Forge.




Back to the Future with Winsor McCay

by Mike Rhode

Warren Bernard is known to many as the Executive Director of the Small Press Expo, but he's also an indefatigable collector of specialties in the comic art field. He and I refer to these as the "Secret History of Comics." Lately, he's been providing a lot of ads drawn by New Yorker cartoonists to Michael Maslin's Ink Spill. When I visited him recently, he pulled out a whole box of Winsor McCay's editorial cartoons clipped from the Chicago Herald and Examiner. I looked through barely any of the box (there's always something more to see at his house), but what struck me was how sadly relevant are these cartoons dating from 1929-1930 by McCay (who was also creator of Little Nemo, and Gertie the Dinosaur, and a founding father of animation). Almost 90 years later, we're still dealing with many of the same issues and Warren provided scans for me to share with you.

There's a narcotics problem hollowing out the social and civil life of our country....
  

and an international drug problem...

...although it's apparent to everyone that the  War on Drugs dating back to Ronald Reagan and the 1980s has been a stunningly expensive failure.

Distrust and ill will lead to tariffs that block trade and business...

...while a President's speech disrupts international organizations.

  
Schools are failing their students, leading to high levels of ignorance... 

  

... which is infecting the mood of the country...

... leading to an endemic lack of trust in government among certain Americans ...

 ...while also filling prisons, which now are being run for profit, and thus prime for overcrowding. 


Public works projects, including highways, are desired by 'common citizens and tax payers' ...


... but the large companies in the country are using their power to manipulate Congress and the media on their own behalf...


...while farmers suffer from high seed prices, low commodity prices and high debt while big agribusinesses like Monsanto and Archer Daniels Midland Company get even bigger. 


Meanwhile, there's ongoing probes of the Executive Branch and Congress for sexual, ethical, lobbying and foreign interference issues...


that's going to take a lot of effort to resolve and preserve democracy.


 Meanwhile, 16 years of ongoing wars have led to tens of thousands of veterans, many with medical issues, having problems integrating back into society.



Sadly, I'm afraid that Warren and I could have added many more cartoons if I had time to look through more than a tenth of the box.

The Post reviews The Breadwinner animated movie

'The Breadwinner,' about a Kabul girl, features gorgeous animation but a so-so story [in print as Heavy subject matter drawn from a medium for kids].


Washington Post November 24 2017, p. Weekend 29-30
online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/the-breadwinner-about-a-kabul-girl-features-gorgeous-animation-but-a-so-so-story/2017/11/20/948626fc-ca4a-11e7-8321-481fd63f174d_story.html

The Post's Thanksgiving Day parade

Yesterday, the Post ran a small satirical piece that looks better online. NY artist Al Murphy did the cartoon illustrations.

The Washington Post Thanksgiving Day Parade

and Al Murphy November 22 2017
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/style/wp/2017/11/22/the-washington-post-thanksgiving-day-parade/

Glen Weldon on Marvel's Runaways tv adaption

'Runaways' Finds A Sunny Corner Of The Marvel Universe — And Stays There

https://www.npr.org/sections/monkeysee/2017/11/21/565434505/runaways-finds-a-sunny-corner-of-the-marvel-universe-and-stays-there

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

NPR reviews Body Music

In 'Body Music,' Love Is Sweet, Sexy And A Touch Sentimental

https://www.npr.org/2017/11/19/562557726/in-body-music-love-is-sweet-sexy-and-a-touch-sentimental

Thanksgiving's comic strips will be themed for charity

Cartoonists' Thursday strips will be auctioned off to benefit hurricane relief

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog November 22 2017
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2017/11/22/cartoonists-thursday-strips-will-be-auctioned-off-to-benefit-hurricane-relief/

Local papers on Coco, Lasseter, and Annie

With Coco Pixar Scores Another Hit

The venerable animation studio's latest film is an improvement over its latest misfires.

Washington City Paper Nov 21, 2017
https://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/film-tv/blog/20983680/coco-reviewed

'Coco' puts a fresh face on the dependable Pixar formula

November 21 2017
https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/coco-puts-a-fresh-face-on-the-dependable-pixar-formula/2017/11/21/e82739ea-ca4a-11e7-8321-481fd63f174d_story.html

Disney animation guru John Lasseter takes leave after sexual misconduct allegations [in print as Dinsey creative chief taking leave after 'misssteps'].

By Steven Zeitchik

Washington Post November 22 2017, p. A7

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2017/11/21/disney-animation-guru-john-lasseter-takes-leave-after-sexual-misconduct-allegations/

Disney Animation, Pixar chief John Lasseter taking leave

November 21 2017 at 10:55 PM
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/disney-animation-pixar-chief-john-lasseter-taking-leave/2017/11/21/f34145c6-cf38-11e7-a87b-47f14b73162a_story.html

This 'Annie' doesn't shine despite Daddy Warbucks' commanding voice [in print as 'Annie' is middle-of-the-pack despite a voice in the top 1%].

Theater critic
Washington Post November 22 2017, p. C3.
online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater_dance/this-annie-doesnt-shine-despite-daddy-warbucks-commanding-voice/2017/11/21/f3c7584e-ce27-11e7-9d3a-bcbe2af58c3a_story.html

Annie, book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin. Directed by Jason King Jones. Scenic/projection designer, Daniel Ettinger; costumes, Seth M. Gilbert; lights, Sarah Tundermann; sound design, Roc Lee. About 2½ hours. Through Dec. 31 at the Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd., Olney. Tickets $42-$84. Call 301-924-3400 or visit olneytheatre.org.

Nov 25: Jason Reynolds, Spider-Man novelist, is everywhere this Saturday

#1

East City Bookshop


From open to close on Saturday, November 25, we'll be celebrating independent bookstores and the vibrance of small businesses in our neighborhood. We'll have treats, a special 10:30 storytime for our youngest patrons, and special guest bookseller Jason Reynolds, Indies First National Spokesperson.

Jason will be in the store from 11:30 to 1:30 on the 25th to sign books, and he'll make holiday reading recommendations. He's giving a presentation at noon, so be there! 


#2

Politics and Prose Bookstore

Click here for Hours and Directions

(202) 364-1919

www.politics-prose.com

P&P at The Wharf:
Meet Jason Reynolds


YA superstar and New York Times bestselling novelist Jason Reynolds visits The Wharf as a guest bookseller! From 2–3 p.m., he'll be signing, handselling his favorite books, and hanging out in the store. Don't miss your chance to meet the author of bestselling novels When I Was the Greatest, The Boy in the Black Suit, Ghost and most recently Long Way Down. He explains why he supports Indies here.



#3

One More Page Books
2200 N. Westmoreland Street, #101
Arlington, VA 22213
703-300-9746    Visit our website
Mon-Sat: 10 am - 8 pm; Sun: noon to 5 pm

At 5 pm: Meet Jason Reynolds, Indies First Spokesperson and NY Times Bestselling author (ALL AMERICAN BOYS, GHOST, PATINA, LONG WAY DOWN, and MILES MORALES: SPIDER-MAN). There will be Q&A, trivia games, a book signing (and maybe some karaoke at the end?).
PLUS throughout the day:
- Bookseller Bake-off
- Talk books with the Boozy Booksellers
- Share YOUR #OMPREADS
- Giveaways all day long + Coffee & donuts and more!



Tuesday, November 21, 2017

PSA: NCSF Thanks & Giving auction

From National Cartoonist Society President Bill Morrison:

In the wake of the deadly disasters that have recently devastated communities in the Gulf states of Texas and Florida, Mexico, and especially Puerto Rico, the cartooning community has come together to use their unique gifts and talents to raise money to help the victims. 

 On Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 23, The National Cartoonists Society Foundation, the charitable arm of the National Cartoonists Society, in conjunction with King Features Syndicate, Andrews McMeel, Creators Syndicate, and the Washington Post Writers Guild, is staging "Thanks + Giving," a unique auction of original artwork, with all proceeds going to help the victims of these overwhelming disasters.

 More than 125 internationally-renowned creators have donated original artwork, including Patrick McDonnell (Mutts), Lynn Johnston (For Better or For Worse), Mort Walker (Beetle Bailey), Cathy Guisewite (Cathy), Jeff Keane (The Family Circus), Al Jaffee (MAD Magazine), Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman (Zits), Rick Kirkman (Baby Blues), and many other well-known creators.

 Vintage comic strips and comic art will also be available to bid on, including work by Dan DeCarlo ((Archie), Mell Lazarus (Momma and Miss Peach), Morrie Turner (Wee Pals), Brad Anderson (Marmaduke), Brant Parker (The Wizard of Id), Chester Gould (Dick Tracy), and more.
 Many of the strips will appear in papers across the country on Thanksgiving Day with a message directing readers to the auction website where they can bid on the original art for that strip, along with the other unique pieces in the auction.

The NCS has enlisted the help of Heritage Auctions, the industry leader in the field of comic and cartoon art, to conduct the auction. The address for the auction is www.HA.com/NCS, and the auction will go live on Thursday, November 23rd and will close the following Thursday the 30th. Lots may be previewed immediately at www.HA.com/NCS,

All proceeds from the auction will be sent to Direct Relief, a highly-rated charity that specializes in providing humanitarian aid to victims of natural disasters. 

 This is a rare chance for fans of comics and collectors of comic art to obtain a unique piece of memorabilia, and at the same time give aid and comfort to those who still desperately need help.

(I'm a member of the NCS, surprisingly enough! - Mike)

The Post's post-mortem on DC Comics movies

Why 'Justice League' failed — and where DC goes from here [in print as DC at crossroads after not-so-super weekend].

Washington Post November 21 2017, p. A18
online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2017/11/20/why-justice-league-failed-and-where-dc-goes-from-here/