Saturday, December 04, 2021
Friday, December 03, 2021
Catching up with The Lily's webcomics
I wasn't allowed to celebrate Halloween as a kid. Now, I go all out.
I'm making up for all that lost time
I gave up a lot of traditions when I moved to America. Here's how I'm reclaiming them.
Celebrating the Korean holiday Chuseok this year helped me appreciate where I'm from and where I am now
https://www.thelily.com/i-gave-up-a-lot-of-traditions-when-i-moved-to-america-heres-how-im-reclaiming-them/
I self-isolate when I'm struggling. But it's when I need friends the most.
Over the years, I've found that spending time with positive friends is critical to my well-being
https://www.thelily.com/i-self-isolate-when-im-struggling-but-its-when-i-need-friends-the-most/
The pandemic forced me to juggle odd jobs. I'm still learning how to balance them all.
As a recent graduate, I didn't expect to be here, but I'm proud of myself for navigating it
https://www.thelily.com/the-pandemic-forced-me-to-juggle-odd-jobs-im-still-learning-how-to-balance-them-all/
Teaching others about healthy body image taught me self-love lessons of my own
I'm not finished with my journey, but I can still help others on their own
Phillip Kennedy Johnson's Action Comics
Phillip Kennedy Johnson digs into Superman's 'fight we've been waiting for' in DC's Warworld Saga
The writer of Action Comics lays out how that big battle went down, and what comes next.
PCHH on Annie Live
Opening Argument: A New Annie Keeps The Dream Of Live Musicals Alive
Linda Holmes
NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour newsletter December 3 2021
https://view.nl.npr.org/?qs=3f6ed55665d7ad5568af7a67d7329f245171e874dee867efd83247b623b6c2b397d80789ecbd60392d877a416181bd482a0213278ef489a23a92fc1fa30d3161dadb781cc6ad7cf23d194c73bff50641
Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 12/2/21
Hope Larson and Rebecca Mock Talk with Roger
by Roger Sutton
Nov 12, 2021
https://www.hbook.com/story/authorsillustrators/hope-larson-and-rebecca-mock-talk-with-roger-2021
Book Review: Authorizing Superhero Comics: On the Evolution of a Popular Serial Genre by Daniel Stein
reviewed by Eric Berlatsky
International Journal of Comic Art blog December 2, 2021
https://ijoca.blogspot.com/2021/12/book-review-authorizing-superhero.html
Daniel Stein. Authorizing Superhero Comics: On the Evolution of a Popular Serial Genre. Columbus: The Ohio State University Press, 2021.
Review Essay: Rebirth of the English Comic Strip: A Kaleidoscope, 1847-1870 by David Kunzle
Richard Scully
International Journal of Comic Art blog December 2, 2021
https://ijoca.blogspot.com/2021/12/review-essay-rebirth-of-english-comic.html
David Kunzle. Rebirth of the English Comic Strip: A Kaleidoscope, 1847-1870, Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 2021.
Top 10 Manga of 2021
Brigid Alverson and Robin Brenner
Dec 01, 2021
https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=slj-top-10-manga-2021
Political Cartoonist Accuses NFT Platforms Opensea, Rarible of Being 'Tools for Political Censorship' [Stonetoss Comics]
by Jamie Redman
November 30 2021
Oni adds Lunar for distribution
Heidi MacDonald
12/03/2021
https://www.comicsbeat.com/oni-adds-lunar-for-distribution/
Libraries' digital exhibit examines work of editorial cartoonist Jerry Doyle
Clara Drummond
Penn State News December 01, 2021
"The World According to Doyle: Editorial Cartoons from The Jerry Doyle Papers at Penn State."
Clara Drummond
Penn State University Libraries' Eberly Family Special Collections (December 2021):
https://sites.psu.edu/accordingtodoyle/
Oral History with Doyle's Family Members
Jim Quigel
Penn State University Libraries' The Eberly Family Special Collections Library
September 14, 2017
https://sites.psu.edu/accordingtodoyle/2021/01/31/oral-history/
'I feel that I haven't done my best work yet.' 93-year-old artist continues drawing after long career in comics [Joe Giella]
Virginia Huey?
News 12 Staff Nov 29, 2021
'Annie Live!': Coming Soon to Your Living Room
By Laura Zornosa
A version of this article appears in print on Dec. 2, 2021, Section C, Page 5 of the New York edition with the headline: N.Y.C., a Cast of 42 and Sandy the Dog.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/01/arts/television/annie-live-tv-musical.html
'Annie Live!' Review: The Sun, as Always, Came Out
By Noel Murray
Dec. 3, 2021,
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/03/arts/television/annie-live-review.html
The Comics of COVID | Stellar Panels
by Brigid Alverson
Nov 30, 2021
https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=the-comics-of-covid-stellar-panels-graphic-format-web-comics
Thursday, December 02, 2021
Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 12/1/21
20 years on, a self-proclaimed Enid looks back at Ghost World
Feeling compassion for your younger self—and nostalgia for '90s thrift stores
Katie Rife
December 1 2021
https://www.avclub.com/20-years-on-a-self-proclaimed-enid-looks-back-at-ghost-1848132541
Exhibit Review - Moomin Animations – Thrills and Cuddles
reviewed by Mike Rhode
International Journal of Comic Art blog December 1, 2021
https://ijoca.blogspot.com/2021/12/exhibit-review-moomin-animations.html
December 01, 2021
Moomin Exhibit at National Children's Museum
by Mike Rhode
https://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2021/12/moomin-exhibit-at-national-childrens.html
'The Truth Is Women Have Always Suffered'
Mirion Malle's graphic novel closely observes a young woman dealing with depression.
Dorothy Woodend 9 Nov 2021 | TheTyee.ca
https://thetyee.ca/Culture/2021/11/09/Truth-Is-Women-Have-Always-Suffered/
Mirion Malle: "Let's Talk About Mental Health Without Pointing Blame"
The Author of This is How I Disappear Speaks With Sophie Yanow
Via Drawn & Quarterly
By Sophie Yanow
November 29, 2021
https://lithub.com/mirion-malle-lets-talk-about-mental-health-without-pointing-blame/
Inner Mythologies: PW Talks with Emily Carrington
By Cheryl Klein
Nov 26, 2021
A version of this article appeared in the 11/29/2021 issue of Publishers Weekly under the headline: Inner Mythologies
Animation Guild Takes Page From Larger IATSE Activism In Push for Higher Wages
In talks with producers through Dec. 2, TAG's #PayAnimationWriters hashtag has called for parity for its members, compared to counterparts repped by the Writers Guild.
Katie Kilkenny
December 1, 2021
In a World of Pure Imagination
Two very different visionary artists, Hayao Miyazaki and Tony Kushner, are both famed for creating fantastic, fully realized worlds that also reflect our own.
By Hanya Yanagihara
A version of this article appears in print on Dec. 5, 2021, Page 44 of T Magazine with the headline: The Wizards.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/30/t-magazine/hayao-miyazaki-tony-kushner-visionary.html
PW Comics World: More To Come
More To Come 494: AnimeNYC Webcomics and the Future
Heidi MacDonald and Kate Fitzsimmons
on 11/26/2021
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/podcasts/index.html?channel=2&podcast=1171
Reappearing Acts: R. Kikuo Johnson Has a New Graphic Novel
By Heidi MacDonald
Dec 01, 2021
Remembering Two Titans of Manga: Shirato Sanpei and Saitō Takao
Natsume Fusanosuke | December 2, 2021
https://www.tcj.com/remembering-two-titans-of-manga-shirato-sanpei-and-saito-takao/
November 30, 2021 by Gil Roth
Episode 462 – Edward Sorel
Virtual Memories Show 462:
http://chimeraobscura.com/vm/episode-462-edward-sorel
https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/virtualmemories/Episode_462_-_Edward_Sorel.mp3
Wednesday, December 01, 2021
Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "...Or The Virus Wins"
"...Or The Virus Wins"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=3348
Remember right after Nineleven™ when the travel industry and retail
were imploding, and Bush and that bunch were telling everybody to "go
shopping, or the terrorists win"? Welp... same deal here. The State
and Capital won't do what needs to be done to keep us safe and to
eradicate Covid-19, and have chosen instead to go with "herd immunity"
(a.k.a. "mass death") to serve Capital at the expense of the working
class and their families.
...and speaking of serving Capital — all the sudden squawking about
the "supply chain" kinda smelled funny to me from the get-go simply
because every major US media outlet and their uncle all started
yelling ZOMG SUPPLY CHAIN almost simultaneously, as if somebody threw
a switch, not unlike all the screaming about the "labor shortage". My
suspicions were pretty much confirmed the other day when, while
catching my daily 15 seconds of MSNBC, they were doing their daily
Supply Chain Meltdown and one of their "guest analysts" was the CEO of
Mattel.
Yeah, that's right; that's what this pants-crapping is all about — not
enough Barbies at Wal-Mart for Christmas.
----------
"Pig Nation", cartoon by Mike Flugennock, 05.31.2002
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=254
"Christmas Dies Hard", Amanda Mull in The Atlantic, Dec 2020
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/12/pandemic-christmas/616925/
"Biden administration ramps up drive to get women 'back into the
workforce'", Patrick Martin at the World Socialist Site,11.14.2021
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/11/15/masq-n15.html
"Fourteen consecutive weeks with more than 100,000 cases of COVID
among US children", Benjamin Mateus at the World Socialist Site,
11.16.2021
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/11/17/covi-n17.html
"Biden's message to Wall Street: Mass death will not interfere with
corporate profits", Patrick Martin at the World Socialist Site,
11.30.2021
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/11/30/pers-n30.html
Mike Flugennock, Political Cartoons: http://www.sinkers.org/stage
and follow me on Mastodon at https://mastodon.social/@flugennock
Moomin Exhibit at National Children’s Museum
Moomin Animations – Thrills and Cuddles, Minna Honkasalo, curator. Washington D.C.: National Children’s Museum on September 3, 2021-January 9, 2022. https://nationalchildrensmuseum.org/
In 1945, Finnish writer and illustrator Tove Jansson created her Mumintrolls for a children's book. The Moomins look like hippos crossed with the Pillsbury doughboy, but have proved popular enough to make her the Scandinavian equivalent of Walt Disney. She eventually wrote or drew 9 books about them. In 1947 she started a comic strip with the characters, which started appearing in English in 1954. Her brother Lars Jannson joined her on the strip from 1959-1961 and then he took the strip over until 1975 when it ended. Reprints have been published by Canada's Drawn & Quarterly. There have been multiple animated versions of her characters, and that is what this exhibit focused on.
The NCM has had some rough years, closing off and on while searching for new locations. In 2020, it finally wound up just off Pennsylvania Ave, NW in a plaza behind the Reagan building. They had to shut again almost immediately due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but reopened in September 2021 with the Moomin exhibit among others, and are aiming for an attendance of a half million people per year. Note that you have to visit with a child; unaccompanied visitors need to make an appointment, and throughout my tour of the exhibit, I was accompanied by a staff member. The museum is actually largely underground; one enters at ground level and then moves downward through an unfinished concrete warren. The guide is probably necessary for more than the main reason.
The Embassy of Finland has brought over a version of Honkasalo's original exhibit from the Moomin Museum that is completely composed of reproductions. It has several sections - a wall on Jansson's life, stills from various animations, 4 screens showing cartoons, and several activity areas for children. An average American viewer might have no knowledge about the Moomins, in spite of the fact that there have been so many adaptations. This exhibit focuses on animated versions and includes episodes from 1959 (West Germany), 1969 (Japan), 1977 (Poland), 1990 (Japan). Obviously, none of these would be particularly easy for an Anglophone to find, but the 1969 one in particular was surpressed by Jansson, as noted in the exhibit catalog - "She felt that Momin was too far removed from her stories' world and atmosphere. Elements foreign to Moominvalley had been inserted into the tales, including cars, money and weapons. For example, a few episodes show Snork driving around in a car, Moomintroll makes money by busking, and weapons feature in several episodes." "She did not want them to reach international distribution, so they have never been broadcast outside Japan. Today, they are hard to find even in Japan, on account of complicated copyright issues connected with the [1900s series]." The exhibit catalog is unfortunately not available, except for a few copies lying in the exhibit, but I recommend it highly if you can find it.
Jansson has been the focus of recent attention including a documentary, two biographies, and an edition of her letters. The wall on her life is written for children, but includes the basics necessary to have an idea about her as a person and as a creator. To the exhibit's credit, the segment on her life does not shy away from her love of another woman, even though it was socially unacceptable at the time. "A soul mate. Amid the hustle and buslte, Tove meets Tuulikki, the woman who will become her life partner for the rest of her life..." reads part of the panel.
The wall of stills would probably have been of more interest in the original exhibit, as it apparently included some actual artwork by her. Here, understandably, it's all reproductions and screen captures. A fan of the characters might be interested in seeing how they evolved in different animations. There are also some areas for children to draw, hang things on a tree, or take a picture with cardboard standups. There is also a small selection of gifts in the giftshop.
Also of interest from a cartoon perspective are a STEAM-centric exhibits about creating animations featuring SpongeBob and his cast, and another on Paw Patrol. Lastly, I'd like to apologize to the public affairs staff at the Museum for being so delayed in posting this review. They were true professionals who got me into the exhibit days after I wrote to them, and I just didn't get around to writing it for 6 weeks.
All the images, except for "Exhibition space 4" and "Tove Jansson," are courtesy of the Embassy of Finland in Washington, D.C. The two are courtesy of the NCM. The exhibit catalog cover is taken from the copy the staff gave to me. My photographs can be seen here. A version of this review will also appear in the International Journal of Comic Art and on its blog.
Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 11/30/2021
Thank you for 23 years at BICLM, Marilyn Scott!
Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum Blog
November 30, 2021 / Caitlin McGurk
https://library.osu.edu/site/cartoons/2021/11/30/thank-you-for-23-years-at-biclm-marilyn-scott/
Book Review - Is Superman Circumcised? by Roy Schwartz
Reviewed by Leonard ("Labe") Rifas
International Journal of Comic Art blog November 30, 2021
https://ijoca.blogspot.com/2021/11/book-review-is-superman-circumcised-by.html
Roy Schwartz. Is Superman Circumcised? McFarland, 2021. 374 pp. $45. ISBN 978-1-4766-6290-9. https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/is-superman-circumcised/
Do We Need More Heroes? Disney Hopes So.
The Magic Kingdom is betting that it can continue milking popular Marvel, Star Wars and Pixar franchises without souring its audience. That is no sure thing.
By Dan Gallagher
Wall Street Journal Nov. 26, 2021
https://www.wsj.com/articles/do-we-need-more-heroes-disney-hopes-so-11637922624
Going to Pieces – Peacemaker Lost and Found
Tom Shapira | November 30, 2021
https://www.tcj.com/going-to-pieces-peacemaker-lost-and-found/
A 'Simpsons' Episode Lampooned Chinese Censorship. In Hong Kong, It Vanished.
By Vivian Wang
A version of this article appears in print on Nov. 30, 2021, Section A, Page 4 of the New York edition with the headline: 'Simpsons' Trip to Beijing Is Missing in Hong Kong.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/29/world/asia/simpsons-hk.html
In the wake of Devil's Reign, Chip Zdarsky introduces Daredevil: Woman Without Fear!
Andrew Sumner
Nov 29, 2021
Forbidden Planet TV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3Ym5x9vgIo
Ep. 39: Look Back, by Tatsuki Fujimoto
November 30, 2021
https://www.mangasplaining.com/blog/ep-39-look-back-by-tatsuki-fujimoto/
Ep. 38: RaW Hero vol 1, by Akira Hiramoto
November 23, 2021
https://www.mangasplaining.com/blog/ep-38-raw-hero-vol-1-by-akira-hiramoto/
Political cartoonist Jesse Springer on his latest book, "Only in Oregon"
KLCC | By Brian Bull
November 29, 2021
"What We Need Are Poets and Inspiration": Pros From 'Encanto', 'Raya and the Last Dragon' and the THR Animation Roundtable
Creatives behind 'Flee', 'Luca', 'The Mitchells vs. The Machines', 'Spirit Untamed' and 'Vivo' also detail how filmmakers are diversifying their stories both on screen and behind the scenes.
Carolyn Giardina
November 30, 2021
This story first appeared in a November stand-alone issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.
Sipultaneous [Jason Chatfield]
By Anthony LeDonne
POAT podcast November 27 2020
https://anchor.fm/anthony-ledonne/episodes/Sipultaneous-en1tvg
Diarrhea on a Yoga Mat [Jason Chatfield, covid-19]
By Anthony LeDonne
POAT podcast August 20 2020
https://anchor.fm/anthony-ledonne/episodes/Diarrhea-on-a-Yoga-Mat-eie9j5
Your Foot's in My Wazoo [Jason Chatfield]
By Anthony LeDonne
POAT podcast November 23 2021
https://anchor.fm/anthony-ledonne/episodes/Your-Foots-in-My-Wazoo-e1alvki/a-a6v0oqd
Jason Chatfield - Comedic Roles in School Productions
Homeroom with Phil Valentine November 23 2021
Episode 9: Jason Chatfield
Eric Schmidt and Greg Burmeister
Talking Schmidt September 23 2021
https://anchor.fm/talking-schmidt/episodes/Episode-9-Jason-Chatfield-e17p4gv
PROFESSOR COMICS DIED [Kevin Robinette]
RC Harvey
Rants & Raves Opus 422a (November 29, 2021): http://rcharvey.com/archive/rantsraves.html#422a
My 1st Interview with Kevin & Mark Robinette, History of there Hunting Days!
"Big John"
Sep 8, 2021
The Comic Book Underground, LLC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WprQN0k8bZI
Part 2: Kevin & Mark Robinette Interview, Hunting for Early Amazing Spider-Man Issues.
Sep 9, 2021
The Comic Book Underground, LLC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvHCf1bwbA0
Part 3: Continue of my interview with Mark & Kevin Robinette, More Hunting & Amazing Stories
Sep 10, 2021
The Comic Book Underground, LLC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmiB9Fer0TI
Interview: Part 4 Hunting for Bronze Age Gold, Stories they tell are unbelievably Awesome
Sep 11, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3eQF6_YX1A
Interview: The Finale, Learn the truth about the Hobby from 2 Men that are still kids at heart!
Sep 11, 2021
The Comic Book Underground, LLC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnCj7a_Bx_g
Cartoonist Eleanor Davis Gets New York Times Gig
Posted by D. D. Degg
November 29, 2021
COMIC-CON SPECIAL EDITION AND THE FUTURE OF SDCC
by Rob Salkowitz on November 29, 2021
https://icv2.com/articles/columns/view/49865/comic-con-special-edition-future-sdcc
Cartoonist Drew Litton reflects on nearly 40 year career
November 29, 2021
Disney's 'Encanto' tells universal coming-of-age story while celebrating Latino culture
Jessica Flores November 23, 2021Updated: November 26, 2021
Jerry Palen – RIP
by D. D. Degg
November 29, 2021
http://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2021/11/29/jerry-palen-rip/
Jerry Joseph Palen, July 9, 2021 ~ November 25, 2021, Obituary & Services
Jacoby Funeral Home
https://www.jacobycares.com/obituary/Jerry-Palen
Joe Sacco
Myself With Others: Adam Shatz with Joe Sacco
November 2021
https://myselfwithothers.squarespace.com/episodes/joe-sacco
Luke Cage writer says comic canceled by Marvel, but it might not be dead yet
By Chris Arrant November 29 2021