Thursday, January 25, 2018

A new advertising CroppMetcalfe comics - Family Fuze

They've just written in to note, "CroppMetcalfe recently published a new comic to their blog that illustrates what can go wrong if you misuse power strips in your home. Here's a link to the blog post:
https://www.croppmetcalfe.com/blog/inside_your_home/how_safe_are_power_strips/
(The comic is at the bottom of the page)"

Ann Telnaes' booksignings for Trump's ABC

Kindness Works, an Archie comic on autism

by Mike Rhode

Recently I saw an article about Nancy Silberkleit, Archie Comics' co-CEO, publishing a comic about with a new autistic character. Since I've written a little about what's now being called graphic medicine, I sent her an email asking how to get a copy of the Kindness Works comic.

Much to my surprise, she called me to talk about the comic. We chatted for a few minutes, and I took some notes which are combined here with some e-mail exchanges:

The new character Scarlet in the Archie Comic family is a lovely young teen at Riverdale High skilled in building anything. She cherishes friends, but has difficulty expressing friendship or showing how she desires inclusion. She reacts differently to situations such as sounds and light.  Scarlet is neurodiverse, she is a person with autism. (The term neurodiversity is now trending for people with autism). Physically she has a little pony tail that flows to the side over her long hair and she wears glasses.


The comic shows the Li'l Archie characters interacting with Scarlet when they were young, and then re-encountering her as she transfers into the Riverdale High School. Some people such as Principal Weatherbee, Archie and Betty welcome her, while Reggie is his usual thoughtless self. The story is by Ray Felix, with pencils by Fernando Ruiz, inks by Dheeraj Jimar Mishra and letters by Andrew Thomas.

When writing this, Silberkleit wanted to "touch one's gut, one's funny bone, and one's mind. Scarlet being called 'weird' hits you in the gut; Hot Dog pulling on Reggie onto a barely-frozen pond touches your funny bone (and is based on a thought I had while walking my dog), and the whole comic touches your mind. I want people to understand our differences and value them to make the world a better place.

The comic is currently only being distributed electronically from Silberkleit via Paypal. She says she wants to make sure it gets a wide distribution via personal contacts and not be sidelined by the short shelf-life of one of the digests.

I am taking a hands-on approach to distribution. Inclusion is a global issue and when I use the word inclusion, it means there are folks in global societies that have to deal with exclusion, the act of isolation. That is the worst injustice that can happen to a person. I like to spark hope within people and see if I can get folks to be on a path to understand people's differences. Kindness Works is dealing with a population that has difficulty in expressing their desire for kindness and inclusion.

I feel emotional about this topic and want to see how I can help one get through the day, and in turn, hope I have sparked that individual to do the same, to spread inclusion and kindness . We are all on this planet for 76 years give or take - to me it's a short time. There was a little boy who said do as much as you can in the time you have; our talented team at Archie comics is doing just that with this wonderful story created for us.

This short comic also resonated with me for personal reasons. When I was in middle school in New Jersey in the 1970s, one town over from where Silberkleit was working as a teacher in Paramus, we had a class of autistic students that didn't interact with the rest of the school. I distinctly remember one time when 'normal' students were picking on one of the autistic kids who responded by yelling and chasing them down the hallway. I didn't like that treatment of him then, and I don't like to see it now. I work with people who have autistic children at home, and try to listen and be sensitive to the different issues they face. Anything, including a comic story, that reinforces the lesson of treating others as you'd like to be treated is worth supporting and especially teaching to children.

To order your copy, go to PayPal and send #1.99 to Nancy.archiecomics@gmail.com 




Chris Pitzer interviewed in Richmond's AdHouse Books profile

Ron Wimberly, formerly local cartoonist interviewed

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Comic Riffs on Black Lightning

'I wanted to be a part of it so bad': 'Black Lightning's' Cress Williams is finally a superhero

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog January 17 2018
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2018/01/17/i-wanted-to-be-a-part-of-it-so-bad-black-lightnings-cress-williams-is-finally-a-superhero/

'Black Lightning' strikes with the perfect mix of super-heroics and social responsibility


Washington Post Comic Riffs blog January 16 2018
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2018/01/16/black-lightning-strikes-with-the-perfect-mix-of-super-heroics-and-social-responsibility/

Comics Riffs talks to Timm, Tamaki, and Tomm Moore

Bruce Timm is making sure animation still has a say in the world of superhero entertainment


Washington Post Comic Riffs blog January 20 2018
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2018/01/20/bruce-timm-is-making-sure-animation-still-has-a-say-in-the-world-of-superhero-entertainment/
 

Acclaimed artist Jillian Tamaki reveals her poster for Children's Book Week 2018


Washington Post Comic Riffs blog January 20 2018
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2018/01/20/acclaimed-artist-jillian-tamaki-reveals-her-poster-for-childrens-book-week-2018/

Oscars 2018: Nearly every animated feature nominee spotlights women. Finally.


Washington Post Comic Riffs blog January 23 2018
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2018/01/23/oscars-2018-nearly-every-animated-feature-nominee-spotlights-women-finally/

Comic Riff talks to Ann Telnaes

She's signing this book tonight at Politics and Prose at the Wharf.

How cartoonist Ann Telnaes created a Trump-themed ABC book that's very much for grown-ups


Washington Post
Comic Riffs blog January 24 2018
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2018/01/24/how-cartoonist-ann-telnaes-created-a-trump-themed-a-b-c-book-thats-very-much-for-grownups/

Heroic Aleworks closes for good this weekend



It's real this time, folks. Heroic Aleworks will close its doors forever on Sunday, January 28, so on Saturday we're hosting one last big shindig as the final hurrah. While of course we're sad, we're gonna do this Irish wake style and look at this as an opportunity to get together with good friends, have some beers, and celebrate all the fantastic times we've had together over the past year. Hope you can join us!
$5 beers until 9 PM
Russian Imperial Stout bomber sale: 1 for $10 or 2 for $15
50% off all remaining merchandise

https://www.facebook.com/HeroicAle/

Library of Congress blog includes cartoonist's selfies

Steve Conley's Middle Ages Kickstarter is underway

From Steve:

I just wanted to update you all about my latest Kickstarter campaign. The new campaign - going on now - is to support my newest webcomic The Middle Age. You can learn more about it here:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/steveconley/the-middle-age-webcomic-enamel-pins-make-100

I've been working on The Middle Age for the past two years. It's a fun, fantasy story about a knight who lost his love, his sword, and his job, and is on a quest to win them all back. Our hero is 'aided' by a snarky, talking sword which reallllly does not like him. :)

You can read the story for free from the beginning here:
middleagecomic.com

 

This new Kickstarter ends next week:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/steveconley/the-middle-age-webcomic-enamel-pins-make-100

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

DC in DC panels on YouTube

The Art of the Matter: From Sketch to Screen: DC in D.C. 2018

Brian Truitt

The Art of the Matter: From Sketch to Screen Panel at Inaugural DC in D.C. Event at Newseum Just how do our favorite DC Super Heroes fly from the page to the screen? This behind-the-scenes look at the creative process provides an "origin story" of how some of DC's greatest Super Heroes on the page have evolved into some of TV's hottest Super Heroes on screens all over the world. USA Today's Brian Truitt moderates a discussion between Executive Producer Greg Berlanti (Arrow, Black Lightning, DC's Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, Supergirl), DC Entertainment's President and Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns, Executive Producer Sara Schechter (Arrow, Black Lightning, DC's Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, Supergirl), Executive Producer of Black Lightning Salim Akil, star of Black Lightning Cress Williams, stars of DC's Legends of Tomorrow Caity Lotz and Brandon Routh, and star of The Flash Danielle Panabaker.

Wonder Women: DC in D.C. 2018

Nischelle Turner
Wonder Women Panel at Inaugural DC in D.C. Event at Newseum DC and Warner Bros. Pictures' Wonder Woman took charge of screens in an unprecedented way last summer, toppling the cinematic patriarchy and paving the way for even more super women. DC has been flexing its power with female heroes on television screens for years, including kickass characters on Supergirl, The Flash, Arrow, Gotham, and DC's Legends of Tomorrow. Nischelle Turner from Entertainment Tonight leads the discussion with DC's Legends of Tomorrow star, Caity Lotz, The Flash stars Candice Patton and Danielle Panabaker, Gotham stars Erin Richards, Jessica Lucas, and Camren Bicondova, Berlanti Productions President Sarah Schechter (Arrow, Black Lightning, DC's Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, Supergirl, upcoming Titans), DC writers Shea Fontana (Wonder Woman, DC Super Hero Girls), Shawna Benson (Batgirl and the Birds of Prey), Julie Benson (Batgirl and the Birds of Prey), Mariko Tamaki (Supergirl: Being Super), and artist Agnes Garbowska (DC Super Hero Girls).

The Pride of DC: The Art of LGBTQ Inclusion: DC in D.C. 2018

The Pride of DC: The Art of LGBTQ Inclusion Panel at Inaugural DC in D.C. Event at Newseum On December 8, history was made with the debut of Freedom Fighters: The Ray, a new animated series on CW Seed, the digital channel of The CW Network, that features the first gay Super Hero to lead a show. The series is produced by Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Animation and Blue Ribbon Content, the digital studio of Warner Bros. Television Group. Moderated by The New York Times Senior Editor, Video & Features, George Gustines, The Ray executive producer, Greg Berlanti, and voice star, Russell Tovey, are joined by DC writers Marguerite Bennett (Batwoman, DC Comics Bombshells), Mark Russell (Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles), Steve Orlando (Midnighter and Apollo), and Vita Ayala (Suicide Squad Most Wanted) for a wide-ranging discussion about inclusion for LGBTQ characters.

The Many Shades of Heroism: DC Heroes Through the African-American Lens: DC in D.C. 2018

David Betancourt

The Many Shades of Heroism: DC Heroes Through the African American Lens Panel at Inaugural DC in D.C. Event at Newseum Watch this powerful panel conversation that highlights BLACK LIGHTNING, a new African American DC Super Hero coming to television screens (40 years after the electrifying hero was created), as well as hear about an upcoming DC comic book from Oscar®-winning screenwriter, John Ridley (12 Years a Slave) and more exciting storytelling featuring African American characters. Moderated by David Betancourt (The Washington Post), this panel brings together THE FLASH's Candice Patton, writer John Ridley, BLACK LIGHTNING producers Mara Brock Akil & Salim Akil, BLACK LIGHTNING star Cress Williams, actor Chris Chalk (GOTHAM), Jamie Broadnax from Black Girl Nerds, comics artist and co-founder of Milestone Media Denys B. Cowan, writer and academic Alice Randall, and actor David Harewood (SUPERGIRL) BLACK LIGHTNING premieres Tuesday, January 16, 2018, at 9/8c on The CW.

The Aftermath: Battle & Trauma in Comics: DC in D.C. 2018

Melissa Bryant

The Aftermath: Battle & Trauma in Comics Panel at Inaugural DC in D.C. Event at Newseum DC's Batman writer and former CIA counter-terrorism operations officer, Tom King, along with artist Mitch Gerads take on Jack Kirby's Mister Miracle in a new monthly comic book which focuses on a Super Hero who grapples with post-traumatic stress disorder, an issue not often seen in comics and tragically overlooked in the real world. King and Gerads are joined by Gotham recurring guest star J.W. Cortez (a 13-year Marine combat veteran and a police officer with the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority), Dr. Vivek Murthy, the 19th Surgeon General of the United States, and Jason Inman, host of DC All Access and U.S. Army Veteran. Moderated by Melissa Bryant, Director for Political & Intergovernmental Affairs, Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America

DC in D.C. With Tom King and Julie & Shawna Benson

DC in D.C. With Tom King and Julie & Shawna Benson

Word Balloon podcast January 18, 2018

http://wordballoon.blogspot.com/2018/01/dc-in-dc-with-tom-king-and-julie-shawna.html

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/wordballoon/2018/01/18/dc-in-dc-with-tom-king-and-julie-shawna-benson.mp3

Lots of fun catching up with the Benson sisters (Batgirl and The Birds Of Prey) and Tom King (Batman -Mister Miracle) after the big event DC Comics held last weekend in the nation's capital. 
You'll hear about their panels and red carpet encounters, plus Tom gives more background about Sanctuary, his concept to explore Heroes suffering from PTSD after their near death experiences .
Then we all settle in for some classic movie talk while we play a round of Old Movie Trivia. How well will you do compared to us? Play along.

Fantom Comics makes Book Riot's best stores list

The Best Comic Book Stores

Sonja Palmer 01-17-18

https://bookriot.com/2018/01/17/best-comic-book-stores?

Tomorrow: Ann Telnaes at the Wharf

Ann Telnaes - Trump's ABC — at Politics and Prose at The Wharf

Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at 7 p.m.

In an inspired matching of form to content, Telnaes presents her series of cartoons on Trump in the shape of a children's board book. But this collection of satirical wit is for adults, and Telnaes draws, rhymes, and critiques Trump with all the moral outrage, wit, and intelligence that made her the second woman cartoonist to win a Pulitzer Prize, and the first to win both a Pulitzer and the Ruben Award. Small but powerful, this volume features Telnaes's impeccable ink line, here accompanied with sing-song verses that capture the truth of Trump's behavior, policies, and his divisive effect on the country.

PR: Shoff Comics and Cards Show in Tysons Corner

COMING SOON.....Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show SUNDAY JANUARY 28 10am-3pm, Tysons Corner Virginia Double Tree Hotel ( formerly Crowne Plaza) 1960 Chain Bridge Rd 22102
Easy Access, Free Parking , Close to the Metro Silver Line Tysons Corner Stop ; Adm. $3; 12 and under Free
INFO: shoffpromotions.com

Sunday, January 21, 2018