Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Monday, April 09, 2018

Editorial cartooning on ComicsDC: An Editorial

by Mike Rhode

It occurs to me that some readers might be wondering about the fact that we now have three editorial cartoonists appearing regularly here - Mike Flugennock, Bill Brown and Steve Artley.

As you would expect, all three are local cartoonists.

Steve Artley (a long-time member of the blog) is working through his archive of drawings with a long-term eye to donating them to a library, so I suggested that he share them with us as he scans them for his file.

William "Bill" Brown's work appeared in the Takoma Voice newspaper for years, and with the loss of that venue, he's publishing his work here at the moment. He's best known for his President Bill (later Citizen Bill) strips which have run for years.

Mike Flugennock identifies himself as an anarchist and has been producing political work for years, some of which one sees around town, as protest posters. He's been sharing his work with us for years now too, and I always enjoy it when I get a new one from him.

None of these people get paid by us, or reflect "our" viewpoint, and the site as a whole takes no advertising or generates any money anyway. There is no editorial work done on any cartoonist's submissions, so what you see is what they've decided to post. We, including our writers, are all here for our love of the medium.

Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: Yaser Murtaja, Presente!

From Washington's anarchist cartoonist, Mike Flugennock:

Yaser Murtaja, Presente!
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=2456

In memory and solidarity with Yaser Murtaja, the Palestinian photojournalist murdered by the IDF at the Gaza Land Day protests last week.

Elena Millie, poster curator of the Library of Congress, died last fall

ELENA MILLIE

Published in The Washington Post on Nov. 23, 2017
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?n=elena-millie&pid=187321446

 

ELENA G. MILLIE
Library of Congress
 
Curator and Art Historian  
After a long life filled with love, laughter, friendship and adventures Elena left this life peacefully on November 12, 2017. Elena, known as "Auntie Lane" to her family and "Speedy" to her friends, touched many lives with her wisdom, caring, laughter and compassion. She was adored and loved by all who knew her. Born in Greenwich CT, she attended Greenwich Country Day, Emma Willard and graduated from the University of North Carolina with a degree in Art History. She had a long career as an accomplished art historian, starting at the National Gallery of Art moving to the Library of Congress to serve as a Curator in the Poster and Prints Division for more than 3 decades. She collaborated, commentated, forwarded, authored and curated many exhibitions, collections, books and papers including Nagel: The Art of Patrick Nagel, The Polish Poster and Eyes of the Nation. An active member of many organizations, including 6th Church of Christ Scientist, Sulgrave Club, Evermay, Friends of Stratford Hall, Washington Studies Group, DAR, D.C. Society of Colonial Dames, Evergreen Garden Club and many more, she was beloved by many. In addition to a robust career and active life of service Elena was an avid gardener, reader, world traveler, art expert and wonderful friend to all. She is survived by her sister Lee G. Day, brother Julian C. Gonzalez and devoted nieces and nephews Jonathan, Neva and Julia Day; and Kelemn and Makenna Taylor-Gonzalez. One of her dearest friends sums her up best "a day spent with Elena was a good day". She will be sadly missed and joyfully remembered. A private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in her name to Lynn House of Potomac Valley.


The Post on the death of Studio Ghibli's Takahata

Isao Takahata, poignant Japanese director who co-founded Studio Ghibli, dies at 82 [in print as Isao Takahata, 82; co-founded Studio Ghibli]


Washington Post April 9 2018 p. B5
online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/isao-takahata-poignant-japanese-director-who-co-founded-studio-ghibli-dies-at-82/2018/04/08/bdd05a58-3b3a-11e8-a7d1-e4efec6389f0_story.html

Sunday, April 08, 2018

National Gallery of Art to host cartooning exhibit

Thanks to Bruce Guthrie for the tip.

Sense of Humor
July 15, 2018 – January 6, 2019
Location TBA
https://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/2018/sense-of-humor.html

James Gillray, Midas, Transmuting All into Paper, 1797, etching with hand-coloring in watercolor on laid paper, Wright and Evans 1851, no. 168, National Gallery of Art, Washington, Purchased as an Anonymous Gift

Humor may be fundamental to human experience, but its expression in painting and sculpture has been limited. Instead, prints, as the most widely distributed medium, and drawings, as the most private, have been the natural vehicles for comic content. Drawn from the National Gallery of Art's collection, Sense of Humor celebrates this incredibly rich though easily overlooked tradition through works including Renaissance caricatures, biting English satires, and 20th-century comics. The exhibition includes major works by Pieter Brueghel the Elder, Jacques Callot, William Hogarth, James Gillray, Francisco Goya, and Honoré Daumier, as well as later examples by Art Spiegelman, Richard Hamilton, Andy Warhol, John Baldessari, and the Guerrilla Girls.

The exhibition is curated by Jonathan Bober, Andrew W. Mellon senior curator of prints and drawings; Judith Brodie, curator and head of the department of American and modern prints and drawings; and Stacey Sell, associate curator, department of old master drawings, all National Gallery of Art, Washington.

Organization: Organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington

Passes: Admission is always free and passes are not required


Comics Riffs on the unanticipated return of Nancy

For the first time in her 85 years, 'Nancy' will be drawn by a woman


The Post's John Kelly on Thurber in Falls Church

Why is there a street in Falls Church, Va., named after James Thurber? [in print as Where James Thurber lost an eye and got a style]

Washington Post April 8 2018

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/why-is-there-a-street-in-falls-church-va-named-after-james-thurber/2018/04/07/98d14084-3903-11e8-9c0a-85d477d9a226_story.html


Saturday, April 07, 2018

Comics-related exhibit reviewed in The Post

In the galleries: Comic book artists show new dimensions


That darn Rhymes with Orange

The letter writer completely misses the tragedy of the sarcasm here.

Media, mixed signals and gun violence [in print as Mixed messages about gun violence].

Joedy Cambridge, Arlington

Washington Post April 7 2018

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/media-mixed-signals-and-gun-violence/2018/04/06/34ead674-37ab-11e8-af3c-2123715f78df_story.html


Comics in new issue of Johns Hopkins Magazine

The Spring 2018 issue of Johns Hopkins Magazine has a four-page cover story on medical student Jordan Tropf, which includes a panel of him running the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. The story is credited to Greg Rienzi and art to Jon Adams. There is no contributors bio on them, which was provided for the other writers and illustrators in the print edition. In the online version, Adams is listed as having worked with Disney, Marvel and Lucasfilm.

WaPo reviews “Not Too High, Not Too Low” exhibit

Reviews / In the galleries: Comic book artists show new dimensions
Washington Post
“Not Too High, Not Too Low” invites six of them to explore different forms.

Friday, April 06, 2018

Glen Weldon on Legion's return

Comic Riffs on the death of Studio Ghibli's Isao Takahata

RIP: How Isao Takahata's haunting war masterpiece changed animation


Washington Post
Comic Riffs
blog April 6 2018
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2018/04/06/rip-how-isao-takahatas-haunting-war-masterpiece-changed-animation/

Not From Brazil's Awesome Con comic

Vanessa Bettencourt relates her Con experience at http://notfrombrazil.com/notfrombrazil/artist-alley-special-weekend/

April 21: Comic Logic's Three Year Anniversary Party

Comic Logic's Three Year Anniversary Party

Public


  • Saturday, April 21 at 11 AM - 5 PM
  • Comic Logic Books & Artwork
    44031 Ashburn Shopping Plz, # 281, Ashburn, Virginia 20147


    Look who's three!
    Join us for our three year anniversay at Comic Logic featuring:
    *Creator John Reilly from Lovecraft:Herald & Tesla
    *Creator J. Robert Deans - sketch cards & live art
    *Cosplayer Cherry Cos
    *Sale items & swag
    *All Star Comic Con Cosplay Contest - win passes to the con!
    *Snacks & beverages
    and more!
    We hope to see each and every one of you here so we can personally thank you for being the best customers & friends any comic shop could ask for!
    Don't miss it!

    April 18: Jade Feng Lee (aka Dumpling Heart) at Fantom Comics

    Jade Feng Lee (aka Dumpling Heart) appears at Fantom Comics on Wednesday, April 18th at 7:00 PM to sign her variant cover for Steven Universe #15 from Boom! Studios.

    RSVP on Facebook!

    Fantom Comics
    2010 P St NW, Washington, DC 20036
    202-241-6498

    Scoop on Awesome Con

    On March 30 through April 1, 2018, comics and pop culture fans traveled to Washington, DC for the annual Awesome Con. Here we present photos of booths, exhibits, guests, and cosplayers that could be found throughout the convention center. Photos were provided by Gemstone Associate Editor Amanda Sheriff.



    Count Gore De Vol, the popular TV and internet horror host from the Washington, DC area, was among the many celebrity guests at Awesome Con. Scoop stopped by his booth during the event to chat about conventions, the upcoming anniversary of his show, and how he got into horror hosting.

    Thursday, April 05, 2018

    NPR interviews Ed Piskor

    From B-Boys To X-Men: Alt-Comics' Ed Piskor Goes Mainstream


    April 26: Tom Toles at National Press Club

    Washington Post cartoonist Tom Toles speaks and sings at Silver Owls Hoot on April 26

    April 4, 2018 | By Richard Ryan


    Tom Toles, the Washington Post's Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist, will headline the National Press Club Silver Owls' Spring Hoot at 6 p.m. Thursday, Apr. 26, in the ballroom. He also will sing and play with his rock band, Suspicious Package.

    This will be his and the band's second appearance at a Hoot. The last time, in 2015, was a sellout, so early reservations are recommended.

    The Hoot is open to all Club members and their guests. Tickets are $35, which include dinner preceded by a cash bar. Reservations can be made at press.org or by contacting the Club's reservations department at 202-662-7501 or reservations@press.org.

    Toles, whose work appears in some 100 newspapers, will discuss the current status and future of editorial and political cartooning. He also plays drums and sings harmony with his five-piece rock band that has appeared in numerous venues in Washington.

    Toles has been drawing his award winning cartoons at the Washington Post since 2002. He previously served as editorial cartoonist for the Buffalo News, Buffalo Courier-Express, New York Daily News, The New Republic, and U.S. News and World Report.

    Toles won the Pulitzer Prize for editorial cartooning in 1990 and was a finalist on two other occasions. He was named Cartoonist of the Year by Editor and Publisher magazine in 2002 and by the National Cartoonists Society a year later. He received a National Headliners Award in 2005 and the Herblock Prize, named for his predecessor at the Post, in 2011.

    Wm. L. Brown cartoon: Fox News Executive Branch

    Local cartoonist/illustrator William L. Brown issues a weekly wordless (usually) commentary.



    Wednesday, April 04, 2018

    Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "Blue Wave"

    From DC's anarchist cartoonist Mike Flugennock:

    "Blue Wave"
    http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=2449

    From all the howling in the MSM these days, you'd think they were expecting not just a "Blue Wave", but a "Blue Tsunami" -- except the numbers say they'll be lucky to get a "Blue Ripple", and in Texas right now it's looking more like a "Blue Tidepool", pitting a bland corporate-looking white-boy Democrat against an incumbent whose head is sculpted entirely of suet pudding.

    This on top of the fact that on social media, the Democratic Party politburo, trolls and fangirls are going with the formula that worked so well for them last time:

    • Run a bland, donor class-approved corporate Centrist.
    • Threaten and shame Left voters.
    • Gaslight, insult, and lie to Left voters.
    • Bully and smear Left electoral challengers.
    • Hope the GOP candidate is revealed to be a pedophile.

    Cowabunga, dudes.


    Fine Books blog on Drawn to Purpose exhibit

    "Drawn to Purpose" Book Launch at the Library of Congress Tackles Gender Bias in Art


    April 7: 'Not Too High, Not Too Low' panel discussion

    The panel discussion on April 7 (2-4 p.m.) will feature some of the artists from the gallery exhibition "Not Too High, Not Too Low" Pyramid Atlantic Art Center in Hyattsville, Md. This event is free an open to the public.

    Per the Facebook event page: "Engage and learn more from the women behind not too high, not too low! Curator Amy Lokoff is joined by artists Jessica AgĂ¼ero, Toni Lane, Anna Sellheim, and Lenora Yerkes from not too high, not too low for an intimate conversation about their work in the show, artistic influences, diversity in comics, and DC's zine scene. Bring your questions and curiosity!"

    Contributing artists to the exhibit.


    Tuesday, April 03, 2018

    Awesome Con photos at Brightest Young Things

    New non-comics children's book from Marc Tyler Nobleman

    Fairy Spell: How Two Girls Convinced the World That Fairies Are Real



    Published by Clarion and luminously illustrated by Eliza Wheeler, it's out 4/24/18—but the biggest way one can support an upcoming book is by pre-ordering it. Why? See the P.S.

    Also, ordering now will ensure it arrives in time to prepare for fairy-finding season. Let's say that's May.

    Options:

    P.S. Pre-sales...

    • indicate a book's potential, which may encourage retailers to increase order quantities
    • count toward first week sales, which improves the chances a book makes a bestseller list
    • boost visibility, which may trigger sales via other ways (word of mouth, hand-selling by booksellers, press coverage, etc.)

    April 7: Fantom Comics -Writers Workshop & Isola Signing with Brenden Fletcher

    Saturday, April 7 (3:00pm – 10:00pm) – Writers Workshop & Isola Signing with Brenden Fletcher – Motor Crush. Gotham Academy. Batgirl. Black Canary. Power Rangers: Pink. Attack on Titan. Assassin's Creed. Brenden Fletcher's writing has something for everyone, and with his brand-new series, Isola, he's taking on the world of high fantasy with a story 20 years in the making! Come chat with us and Brenden as we learn more about our new favorite comic! Refreshments will be served!

    Monday, April 02, 2018

    Retrofit / Big Planet Comics publishing Kickstarter

    2018 Kickstarter launched!
    Posted by Retrofit Comics (Creator)

    Hi again everyone,

    We just wanted to let you know our NEW Kickstarter for our 2018 lineup has just launched! We are publishing 12 graphic novels this year, and we hope you will continue to support us! We're really excited about all of these, please check out the new page for images and descriptions.

    https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/retrofitcomics/retrofit-comics-2018-12-new-graphic-novels


    PR: DC Zinefest 2018: Digital registration opens Friday, April 6th


    Dear zinesters,

    We're excited to announce the start of our digital registration on Friday, April 6 at 12pm EDT. Visit our website at dczinefest.com to register for a table to represent your zines. Demand for tables is high, so don't delay!

    DC Zinefest 2018 will take place on Saturday, July 21st 2018 at a new location: Art Enables in Northeast DC.

    We are once again offering a grant to help elevate the voices of people that are often marginalized in the zine community:
    • people of color
    • people with disabilities
    • people who identify as LGBTQIA+
    • people who earn low incomes

    Each grant gets you $50 and a quarter table at the fest. Grant applications are included as part of the online registration. If you've already applied through mail-in, don't worry! We'll ask you about your interest when we get in touch about tabling information. In an effort to make sure that as many people hear about this grant as possible, grant submissions will remain open even after all other tables are full. If more people are interested than there are grants available, awarding of grants will be decided by a lottery.


    Please contact us with any comments or questions. Thanks!


    - Your DC Zinefest organizers


    --


    DC Zinefest

    dczinefest@gmail.com

    dczinefest.com | twitter | facebook 

    Zinefest 2018 = Saturday, July 21st


    Comics writer Mike Cowgill has a short story online

    Hedge Apple Magazine

    Today's featured piece is Michael Cowgill's adorable short story, "This Girl" about an all-female Beatles tribute band.
    http://hedgeapplemagazine.com/?p=1828

    From the Artleytoons Vault

    From the Vault of Artleytoons
    This cartoon, "Reagan’s Leaky Leaks" from 1986 addressed an aggressive U.S.G. disinformation campaign directed toward Libyian strong-arm leader Moammar Kadafi. The campaign released false statements and purposely crafted fake leaks to the American Press designed to destabilize the Lybian regime. The operation was devised to provoke Kadafi into careless acts of terrorism, thus justifying U.S. military strikes on Tripoli and Benghazi. Once the real story was leaked to W.P. reporter Bob Woodward, the Administration scrambled to identify the person(s) responsible for disclosing the classified Op. In the end, no Administration heads rolled and President Reagan — known to be a bit too loose-lipped whenever he went off script — managed to keep his Teflon coating intact. (click on images for larger view).

    See more recent work by Steve Artley at Artleytoons



    Click on image for larger view

    Library of Congress exhibit on women cartoonists featuring in Chicago Tribune

    Back to the drawing table? Women have been there all along, says the book/exhibit 'Drawn to Purpose'


    Darcel Rockett
    Chicago Tribune March 30 2018
    http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-ent-drawn-to-purpose-20180327-story.html



    Sunday, April 01, 2018

    Staake does the Simpsons in The Post

    Style Invitational Week 1273: Come to our aid(e) — restocking the Cabinet [in print as Har heads; winning bank headlines]

    Tell us who (or what!) would be a better hire in a federal job; plus winning 'bank heads'



    He'd probably give a better "60 Minutes" interview, too. (Bob Staake for The Washington Post, with apologies to Matt Groening and "The Simpsons" )


    That darn Pastis

    This 'Pearls Before Swine' speaks for a lot of parents and teachers [in print as This comic spoke for a lot of parents]

    Joseph Maniscalco, Bluffton, S.C.

    Washington Post March 31 201, p. A13

    online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/this-pearls-before-swine-speaks-for-a-lot-of-parents-and-teachers/2018/03/29/c8408170-322a-11e8-b6bd-0084a1666987_story.html


    National Archives blogs on Clifford Berryman

    Play Ball!

    a0111

    President Theodore Roosevelt dodges "amendments" to the proposed Hepburn Rate Act, by Clifford Berryman, 5/12/1906. (National Archives Identifier 306091)

    ...and, for the record, the Cosmos Club in DC has 10 original Berryman cartoons in its billiards room that I didn't know about before.




    Awesome Con Sunday photos

    I popped back in for a couple of hours today and saw some local cartoonists I'd missed on Friday, met and was upsold by Neal Adams, saw Bruce Guthrie taking photos, and enjoyed more of the Con that I don't usually go to like the children's section.

    Here's more local people...

    Joe Sergi whose done a law history book - The Law for Comic Book Creators - that I'm looking forward to reading. Watch for an interview with him coming soon.

    Jared Smith of Big Planet Comics; I can always find something in their cheap graphic novels.

    Marc Hempel, Sandman artist who lives around Baltimore.

    Mark Wheatley of Insight Studios. We're going to have an interview with him about his book illustration work.

    Arsia Rozegar who's illustrating a Persian epic now.

    And some pictures for fun.


    Wonder Woman and Batman cosplayers in mail. They clanked.

    Starlord and Gamora cosplayers taking a break.

    A signing line at the DC Comics booth.

    Saturday, March 31, 2018

    Awesome Con Friday photos

    I had a good time walking around the Con yesterday, talking to local cartoonists and a few visiting ones. I did an interview with Andrew Looney of Looney Labs, a College Park-based game maker who has licensed comic properties and hires artists to illustrate his Fluxx card games. That'll appear in a few days.

    I also quite enjoyed the science side and talked to people from NASA, the Smithsonian and National Geographic, and would recommend that as well.

    We have a new correspondent who does live sketching at local events and we should see some work from him as he's attending today.

    David Betancourt of the Washington Post interviewed Paul Levitz and Dan Jurgens about Superman at the Library of Congress on Thursday night.

    Paul Levitz and Dan Jurgens at the Library of Congress on Thursday night.

    Andrew Looney of Looney Labs with Doctor Who Fluxx game.

    Cuddles and Rage with their new minicomic Snuggle Bites.

    Carolyn Belefski of Curls Studio shows her new Sad Fish project, while Joe Carabeo looks on.

    Michael Cho, comic book cover artist, is from Canada.

    SL Gallant's new comic is the Six Million Dollar Man meeting GI Joe.

    Local cartoonist Rafer Roberts has been writing for Valiant, but is about to launch a new comic, Modern Fantasy, from Dark Horse. It's in Previews now.

    John Gallagher's kid-friendly Sky Dog Comics.

    ComicsDC author Matt Dembicki showing artwork from his ReDistricted webcomic project.

    March's Andrew Aydin also has X-Files comics for sale. He's working with Congressman Lewis on more stories.

    Keith Giffen did my absolute favorite run on Legion of Superheroes. I was able to buy a piece of original art of his Ambush Bug character a few stalls away.

    Colleen Doran has a wide variety of her work for sale, including Sandman comics.

    Joe Harris is visiting from NY, and Andrew Aydin recommends his work. Rockstars is his creator-owned book that's just been collected.

    Sean Causeley and Julian Lytle are tabling together and both have new books out.

    Local cartoonist and illustrator Jason Axtell.

    Local cartoonist Bill McKay does a lot of cover art.

    Local cartoonist Evan Keeling works for the Smithsonian and also makes a lot of minicomics for them. These are free, and totally cool.

    Friday, March 30, 2018

    Not from Brazil at Awesome Con

    We arrived at Awesome Con right now and we'll have three days of fun signing and talking about our books. Because we'll be behind a table for 3 days, stop by and tell us what fun things there are to do around us  T_____T Also. Show us your cosplay costume.
    Find us here:
    For those who can't attend  I will be running a sale on lots of items after the show, so pay attention you don't want to miss out : D

    Thursday, March 29, 2018

    Superman panel at Library of Congress just started

    Washington Post's David Betancourt interviews Paul Levitz and Dan Jurgens about Superman at the Library of Congress before Awesome Con.