Thursday, February 02, 2023

Meet a Former D.C. cartoonist - A Chat with Chad Bilyeu of Amsterdam

by Mike Rhode

Recently I heard from Chad Bilyeu, a DC-expat, who wrote, "I am a 47 year-old Black American writer, historian, and photographer who has been living in Amsterdam for nearly 13 years. I am also a former DC denizen and currently write and publish my own comics." Chad was interested promoting his books via our usual interview questions. I've interspersed some of his original email describing his work to me with his answers, and I think readers will enjoy his atypical career.

What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?


For the most part, I am a writer. On occasion I draw, but I do so little actual drawing that I don’t claim that I do that. I also do a lot of unacknowledged things like lettering, editing, designing, flattening, and what I like to think of as refining. I’m also running my own publishing house, so I do the marketing, liaising, and distribution as well. I guess I do everything [for my comics] except for the penciling and inking. 


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


I am into writing full scripts that always begin with pen and paper. I’m a bit old school in that fashion. I begin typing once I’ve handwritten out an outline and the dialogue. Then I go in and embellish the dialogue while adding in explicit direction and notes for the artist. I usually have a vision when I’m writing, so I do suggest panel layout and shot selection with the understanding that if the artist can suggest something better or more logical we will go with that. I aim to provide an artist with a lot of information that helps in keeping their vision firmly rooted in what I’m looking for. I think this process sounds way more commandeering than it actually is. I’ve been told by the artists that I’m pretty easy to work with. Hopefully they aren’t lying to me.


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


No shame in my game; I was born in 1975. I feel fortunate to have made it to 47 years of age. I enjoyed growing up in the 1980s. The exposure to Hip-Hop and the advances in technology (especially video games) made it an exciting time for us. I was born in East Cleveland, Ohio, most raised in Cleveland Heights, and spent a lot of time, usually summers and holidays, on Long Island, New York where both of my parents were born. 

 

Why are you in Amsterdam now? 


Yeah, I usually ask myself this question everyday. When I was living in DC (1998-2008) I visited Amsterdam on five separate occasions. During those visits I developed a cursory appreciation for the city. I moved to Amsterdam in 2009 to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Amsterdam which I did not complete. Many jobs and many lives later, I’m still here.  

 

Why did you visit Amsterdam originally? 

 

I first visited Amsterdam for the most superficial and obvious of reasons, I wanted to smoke weed. When I first visited in 2000, the herb was illegal in DC. So, myself and my girlfriend at the time went over for about a week (which is not enough time for a vacation). I was amazed by the coffee shops. I had a lovely time smoking without fear but I also learned that Amsterdam is a really nice city with way more than just weed to offer.
 

What is your training and/or education in writing and cartooning?


I am not really formally trained to write comics. I basically decided in 2018 that I was going to try my hand at it and just went for it. I have been writing regularly since the age of 15 or so. I would draw my own comics which I mostly kept to myself. Around the age of 18, I got into the art of Hip-Hop MCing, which taught me a lot regarding the cadence and rhythm of writing. Rhyming over beats was also the perfect way to expand my lexicon; I would do my best to try and fit words like “sui generis” and “al fresco” into my verses. After that I had a short stint as a restaurant reviewer for the DC City Paper. I then began to write about my misadventures on a blog that was mostly read by my friends. I suppose it was the medium of comics that really presented the opportunity and format that rewarded me the most. 


I used to be known in school for drawing. but I mostly gave up drawing when I moved to DC at the age of 23. I suppose I was more into making music at the time. I have always been an advocate of multimedia artistic expression, be it drawing, music, or analog photography. I don’t draw much anymore, but I don’t think that I have lost the talent. I’m really out of practice and it takes much longer than it used to to draw anything. Maybe I’ll get back into it. Who knows? At the moment though, I am really enjoying writing, so that will be my focus for the foreseeable future.


Who are your influences?


I could go on for hours regarding my influences, so I will do my best to speak on the folks who are inspiring me the most currently. I love great comic art, but have always especially admired a well-crafted story. An incomplete list of writers who have influenced me include Chester Himes, Raymond Chandler, Donald Goines, Richard Stark, Iceberg Slim, George Orwell, Octavia Butler, Matt Wagner, Alan Moore, Peter Milligan, Ed Brubaker, Aleš Kot, Harvey Pekar, Dennis Eichhorn, Grant Morrison, Kazuo Koike, Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis, and Katsuhiro Otomo. Regarding comic art, as of late I have really been feeling Darwyn Cooke, José Muñoz, Eddie Campbell, Kyle Baker, Greg Smallwood, Linnea Sterte, Ryoichi Ikegami, Bill Sienkiewicz, Chris Visions, and Jacques Tardi. Some of these folks have inspired me for decades whilst others I am just getting into. 


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


To change anything in my past would result in an intrinsic change in who I currently am. At the moment I am happy with who I am and the work that I am producing, so I don’t feel the need to change anything about my past. Sure, I could have begun my writing career earlier than the age of 42, but I’m not certain that I would have had anything worthwhile to write about. It seemed necessary for my own path to live my life and then write about it later on. I’m satisfied with how everything is coming to fruition. Things happen when they should.


What work are you best-known for?


My best known work is probably my autobiographical series Chad in Amsterdam, which is about my life as an American living in the capital of the Netherlands. I didn’t really think that the comic would succeed but it seems that folks like my take on the city and the culture. So far, it seems to be working so I’ll keep at it for at least six more issues (a total of twelve in the series). I write everything and collaborate with artists from around the world to bring the scripts to life. All of the artists that I work with are paid a fair wage for their artwork and the comic is printed in the Netherlands. I actively promote and distribute my comics around the world. In three and a half years, I have created six issues of Chad in Amsterdam and one issue of a new comic anthology entitled Megillah, which gives a curated selection of artists eight pages to create a story. I’ve amassed a small but dedicated following and received some good reviews. I recently won a grant competition from the good people at 100% Comics to assist with the creation of my sixth issue of Chad in Amsterdam. And lastly, an achievement for which I am quite honored, Chad in Amsterdam was nominated by Broken Frontier for the "best periodical series" for the year 2021.

 

Bernie Mireault? How did you begin working with him?


Honestly, I just hit him up on Facebook. He had been on hiatus because he was taking care of his father. I was rereading Grendel at the time and wondered what he was up to. I sent over a script and my page rate, and he agreed to work with me! There's a pro tip for people; most comic folks are pretty accessible. I've worked with Bernie twice since our first collaboration. He's a consummate professional and I'm honored that he would work with an upstart such as myself.

 

 

What work are you most proud of?


Personally, I am really enjoying creating The Re-Up with my friend and artist Juliette de Wit. The Re-Up is the true story of how I sold drugs from 2004 to 2008 in Washington DC, beginning at Georgetown University and later expanding throughout the East Coast of America. Each issue of The Re-Up is 24 pages fully illustrated in black and white and green. I think that it is an autobiographical comic like no other. In short, the comic is about a part of my decade spent in DC, when I attended and worked at Georgetown University whilst concurrently selling a lot of weed. Thus far we have produced two issues and I am quite proud of them. The comic looks like nothing else on the stands and we put in a lot of work to make sure it is an idiosyncratic artifact. We are releasing chapters en route to an entire graphic novel. The story is just beginning, but most folks seem to be looking forward to each subsequent issue, which is both an honor and a challenge.

 

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


Comics are my favorite medium, so I will continue to create more works within the various genres in the medium. I have a really good superhero story that I would like to tell one day. I would also like to delve into a biography concerning a civil rights leader who I will leave unnamed. I think that after Chad in Amsterdam and The Re-Up reach their conclusions I will probably cease doing autobiographical comics and focus upon fictional stories. I get bored doing the same thing and I am not looking to get typecast. One day I could see myself delving into film and television writing and direction. That would actually be a dream come true. However, I have a feeling that I will continue to create comics for as long as I can.


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


Writer’s block doesn’t really exist to me. I have too many ideas and not enough time to realize them all. I don’t believe that a writer has to be writing at all times. We have to get out into the world and enjoy life in order to be inspired and have something interesting to write about. Whenever I am not in the mood to write, I go into the world to converse with folks. I think creativity stems from human interaction, so I maintain a healthy balance of creation when in solitude and fraternization amongst people who I like and respect.


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


Good question. Hopefully the masses will still enjoy books written by actual people in the near future. The rise of artificial intelligence and virtual reality are quite frightening to me. It seems that the social scientists have a vested interest in us all being distracted and solipsistic. I am committed to the written word and the printed page because they are lo-fi outlets that allow anyone to create and anyone to consume. Ultimately, I think that human experiences and emotions need to be told by actual cognizant people who understand the power of empathy  and synergy. Hopefully I’m not proven incorrect on this one.


What cons do you attend? Any comments about attending them?


Thus far I have participated in MICE in Boston, Short Run in Seattle, TCAF in Toronto, Genghis Con in Cleveland. Stripdagen Haarlem in the Netherlands, and Thought Bubble in England. They all have their merits, some more so than others, and I am always happy to be a part of them. What is strange to me is that my acceptance rate was higher pre-Covid when I only had two issues of Chad in Amsterdam available. Since Covid struck I have made six comics with two more slated to drop in the spring of 2023. I don't really know what the gatekeepers of the indie comic world are looking for, but it isn’t at all my job to appease their tastes and proclivities. I’m publishing three different titles, all of which are critically-acclaimed, so I’ll just keep doing what I have been doing. I’m not in this to be a part of any comic scenes. I’m in this to reach the stores and the readers and to leave a legacy of quality comics. With that said, folks can definitely see me this April at TCAF in Toronto.


What comic books do you read regularly or recommend? Do you have a local store?


Firstly, out here in Amsterdam I have two local stores: Henk and Lambiek. They are complimentary stores that are right around the corner from each other, and I love the staff at each store. Honestly, this is probably the best comic book store scenario that I have had in life. If you all visit Amsterdam, be certain to visit both stores!


My pull list runs a wide gamut. At the moment I have been collecting: That Texas Blood, The Department of Truth, Dwellings, The Fang, Ultramega, Newburn, The Human Target, Reckless, Stramash, Everything Sucks, Damn Them All, and What’s the Furthest Place From Here? Today I just picked up Immortal Sergeant and I’m quite looking forward to reading that. This list doesn’t include the various graphic novels and collected editions I purchase, which recently included Slash Them All and A Frog in the Fall (and later on).


How can people buy YOUR comics?


For folks in DC my comics can be found at Fantom Comics on P St. NW or Big Planet Comics on U St. NW and Vienna. If you’re elsewhere in the States, it may be easier to go to Birdcage Bottom Books or Domino Books. I am also in a lot of brick-and-mortar locales, mostly on the East Coast and in the MIdwest. West Coast, I’m coming for y’all again soon. Hold tight. Lastly, you can always get my comics at my website, chadinamsterdam.nl


What's your favorite thing about visiting DC?


DC was my home for a decade. When I left the city, I really didn’t want to go, but had to -- for reasons that will eventually be revealed in The Re-Up. I last visited in November of 2022 and it was the first time since relocating that I had a car and was able to drive around like I used to. DC is truly one of the most distinctive cities in the United States. It is one of few places in America that has a local style of music. It is always pure bliss to hear Go-Go on the city streets. I had to duck into the Metro PCS on 7th St. NW and Florida to purchase whatever Go-Go mixtape that was serving as the diegetic score for the corner. I was mostly a NW guy, so U street and Adams Morgan were my favorite hangouts, and it is always a pleasure to just wander thereabouts with no plan in mind. I was fortunate enough to be walking past another one of my favorite places, Black Cat, where Lee Fields just so happened to be performing that evening. I used to attend Howard and Georgetown, so I always walk those campuses and relive the good times that I experienced at both of these stellar universities. Honestly, visiting gets me really nostalgic because I had a good life in DC. I often wonder what my life would have been like had I stayed instead of moving in 2008. Alas, that’s something that we will never know but it’s always bittersweet to consider the alternate universes that could have been.


Least favorite?


The rampant gentrification. Sadly, there are so many new denizens of DC who know nothing about the history and culture of the city. I think it’s a pity. Although gentrification is affecting nearly every urban center throughout the Occident, it hit DC early and it hit hard. U Street NW is nearly unrecognizable. I can tell that the new denizens don’t contribute to culture; at best they spend money. I suppose that change is a certainty, but it is painful to see that so much culture has been lost with the displacement of DC’s native population. It hurts to know that this aforementioned Metro PCS has to fight to play the same Go-Go music that they were playing when I first arrived in 1998, way back when I was on a mission to get a new pager. Hopefully the gentrifier realizes their place in the city and pre-existing local culture can ultimately reign supreme; but honestly, I’m not so confident that this will be the outcome.


What monument or museum do you like to go to?


Funny that you ask that. As I was just in DC this past November, I took a walk on the National Mall and realized how few of these incredible places I had actually been in. For a while, I was a mainstay at the Smithsonian because, as most of them are free of charge to enter, it is the perfect place for impecunious or parsimonious people to go on dates (something that I did quite often in 1998). On the next visit I especially want to hit the National Museum of African American History and Culture as I have not visited yet. 


When I lived in the city I used to go down to the Capitol Reflecting Pool at night to smoke weed and ponder over life. I’ve quit smoking weed, but I still find this a great place to go at night and ponder over how far I’ve come in life. A flask replaced the blunt, but the sense of tranquility and self-reflection is the same.

 

Are you planning on staying in the Netherlands and becoming a citizen of the EU, or are your ties to the US still strong?


I hope to be able to live life in Amsterdam and in an additional city in the US. My ties to the US are still strong. It is indeed still the place that I consider to be "home." I think the country is currently in a state of utter hullabaloo, but it's still where I feel the most comfortable. It's nice to not have to constantly explain my existence the way that I have to when I'm in the Netherlands. Anyhow, I'm looking at Pittsburgh. It's a great town and it's quite close to my hometown of Cleveland where most of my family still resides. And yeah, I'm in it for the citizenship. I want access to greater mobility within our stratified world. 


Do you have a website or blog?


I definitely have a website but it is mostly just for ordering books. You can get all of my comics from chadinamsterdam.nl. I don’t really have a blog, but as far as social media goes I am on Twitter and Instagram. I also run a Twitter site for Bistro Books that is strictly comic-related, which may be the best option if you aren’t so concerned with the music that I listen to or my misanthropic rants.

 

How has the COVID-19 outbreak affected you, personally and professionally?


I don’t think that it affected me adversely. As previously mentioned, I have released six comics since Covid transmogrified reality. I’m a bit paradoxical with other humans. I hate people, but I love people. It was honestly sort of nice to just be chilling with my lady during Cpvid. We ate well, watched a lot of films and TV, washed a lot of groceries, and cooked quite a bit. If anything, it has made it more arduous to live in an overpopulated city like Amsterdam. But hey, such is life…


Here's more art from Chad's comic books...
















The Post's Betancourt on DC's movie plans

A new Batman and more: Our analysis of James Gunn and DC's lineup [in print as Gunn offers plan for DC Studios to regain mojo]

The new DC Studios slate includes Superman and Supergirl movies and a Green Lantern series

Washington Post February 12 2023 : C1, 2

BTW, the Post's website search wouldn't find this article while searching for 'Betancourt' - I had to use Google.

Congressman Garcia went to the Library of Congress for a comics tour


Robert Garcia
[ Pulled some amazing books today from the Library of Congress.]
@RobertGarcia

DC-Loving Congressman Robert Garcia Shows Off U.S. Comic Collection

Hot off the heels of a successful DC cinematic universe power play, Congressman Robert Garcia showed off some of the nation's finest comic books.


Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 2/1/23

Knoxville comic book store gives away at least 300 copies of Maus a year after controversy
Nirvana Comics also said they founded their own Free Little Library for kids, helping make sure children have access to books of all kinds.
Author: WBIR Staff
  January 30, 2023
https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/nirvana-comics-gives-away-more-than-300-copies-of-maus-over-the-weekend-january-30-2023/51-543d5c7e-5148-431d-8f9f-ba6568bdc090

Thief steals rare comic books from local shop amid high collectibles prices
Clayton McMahan
WANE Jan 13, 2023
https://www.wane.com/top-stories/thief-steals-rare-comic-books-from-local-shop-amid-high-collectibles-prices/

Mike Violante, RIP
Mike Rhode
ComicsDC blog February 01, 2023
https://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2023/02/mike-violante-rip.html

Dan Rosandich – RIP
D. D. Degg
Daily Cartoonist January 31 2023
https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2023/01/31/dan-rosandich-rip/

An Interview with Dan Rosandich
Gordon Nary
Profiles in Catholicism Sep 30, 2020
https://www.catholicprofiles.org/post/an-interview-with-dan-rosandich

The Cartooning Life of Magazine Cartoonist: Interview with Dan Rosandich
Press Pad blog September 1, 2017 by Wojtek Szywalski
https://www.presspadapp.com/blog/cartooning-life-magazine-cartoonist-interview-dan-rosandich/

Dan Rosandich's website - https://danscartoons.com/

SKYBOUND TO PUBLISH FIRST HARDCOVER OF 'EXTRA FABULOUS' WEBCOMIC
Funded by Kickstarter that Racked Up Over $470,000 in Pledges
 Brigid Alverson on January 31, 2023
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/53206/skybound-publish-first-hardcover-extra-fabulous-webcomic

IN THE DIGITAL COMICS SPACE, GLOBALCOMIX OFFERS SIGNS OF LIFE AMID THE WRECKAGE
Rob Salkowitz on January 31, 2023
https://icv2.com/articles/columns/view/53207/in-digital-comics-space-globalcomix-offers-signs-life-amid-wreckage

GRAPHIC NOVEL SALES UP SLIGHTLY IN BOOK CHANNEL
Overall Book Market Was Down
 Milton Griepp on February 1, 2023
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/53210/graphic-novel-sales-up-slightly-book-channel

Smith, Leef. 2017.
Top Selling Trades In 2016 [California store sales].
Mission: Comic and Art blog (January 11): https://www.missioncomicsandart.com/blog/top-selling-trades-in-2016

Smith, Leef. 2018.
Good Riddance 2017 [California store sales].
Mission: Comic and Art blog (January 4): https://www.missioncomicsandart.com/blog/good-riddance-2017

Smith, Leef. 2018.
Breaking Down 2017 Sales By Publisher [California store sales].
Mission: Comic and Art blog (January 9): https://www.missioncomicsandart.com/blog/breaking-down-2017-sales-by-publisher

Smith, Leef. 2019.
2018 In Review [California store sales].
Mission: Comic and Art blog (January 8): https://www.missioncomicsandart.com/blog/2018-in-review

Smith, Leef. 2020.
2019 In Review [California store sales].
Mission: Comic and Art blog (January 18): https://www.missioncomicsandart.com/blog/2019-in-review and https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTdLk4X1KOfCquH6WNg7GRSOYKPdRPW37Ib2Drob5HvEuzZPiqIa4zxRulGQ4rrWYfxk9CCe5pwxfxj/pub

Smith, Leef. 2021.
2020 Review - The Covid Year [California store sales].
Mission: Comic and Art blog (January 17): https://www.missioncomicsandart.com/blog/2020-review-the-covid-year

Smith, Leef. 2022.
2021 Review - A Modest recovery [California store sales].
Mission: Comic and Art blog (January 16): https://www.missioncomicsandart.com/blog/2021-review-a-modest-recovery

Smith, Leef. 2023.
2022 Review [California store sales].
Mission: Comic and Art blog (January 29): https://www.missioncomicsandart.com/blog/2022-review

Fat Jack's Comicrypt [store]
Zach Rabiroff | February 1, 2023
https://www.tcj.com/fat-jacks-comicrypt/

SHOP TALK: BURGLARS HIT TWO STORES; Also: Nirvana Comics Continues 'Project Maus'
Brigid Alverson on January 31, 2023
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/53200/shop-talk-burglars-hit-two-stores

Santa Rosa comic store opening second location in downtown Petaluma
Farewell to Brian's Comics, welcome to Ivy's Hideout|
SARA EDWARDS THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Petaluma Argus Courier January 8, 2023
https://www.petaluma360.com/article/north-bay/santa-rosa-comic-store-opening-second-location-in-downtown-petaluma/

Comic book store opens in Point Pleasant [West Virginia]
    by Chad Vaughn
    River City Tribune and Register Jan 20, 2023
    https://www.wvnews.com/rivercities/gallipolis/news/comic-book-store-opens-in-point-pleasant/article_ef106f52-9695-11ed-8301-fb5ba8e56dde.html

Comic book store closing after 24 years on Newmarket Main Street
'I'm in position to be able to walk away from it and feel like I've sold as many comics as I'm happy to sell,' says owner of Fourth Dimension Comics of his lease expiring at the end of April [Canada]
Elizabeth Keith
Jan 28, 2023
https://www.newmarkettoday.ca/local-news/comic-book-store-closing-after-24-years-on-newmarket-main-street-6447099

'A lot of stuff was taken': Wizard's Comics robbery nabs thousands in merchandise [Canada]
    Amanda Anderson and Adam Lachacz
    CTV News Edmonton Jan. 14, 2023
https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/a-lot-of-stuff-was-taken-wizard-s-comics-robbery-nabs-thousands-in-merchandise-1.6231377

After 30 years, iconic head shop Crosstown Traffic is closing
Legalizing marijuana has meant the end of the classic head shop Crosstown Traffic. [Canada store]
Denis Armstrong Jan 4, 2023
https://ottawa.citynews.ca/then-now/after-30-years-iconic-head-shop-crosstown-traffic-is-closing-6301126

Customers will go down memory lane at retro shop - selling Pokemon cards, comics, retro gaming items and Funko pop - set to open in Derbyshire town
Clay Cross will welcome a unique addition to its high street as a retro shop is set to open its doors. [UK store]
By Wiktoria Wrzyszcz
Derbyshire Times 31st Jan 2023,
https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/news/people/customers-will-go-down-memory-lane-at-retro-shop-selling-pokemon-cards-comics-retro-gaming-items-and-funko-pop-set-to-open-in-derbyshire-town-4007946

Wednesday Addams, a character who spans '60s sitcoms and viral TikToks [in print as Wednesday Addams spans '60s sitcoms and viral TikToks].
 Michael Cavna
Washington Post February 1, 2023 : C1, 4.
online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2023/01/31/lisa-loring-wednesday-addams-jenna-ortega/

Superman in Starring Role as DC Studios Unveils Strategy
By Brooks Barnes
A version of this article appears in print on Feb. 1, 2023, Section B, Page 8 of the New York edition with the headline: Warner Bros. Long-Term Plan Relies on Superman's Powers.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/31/business/media/dc-studios-superman.html

'Schoolhouse Rock!' at 50: Those Are Magic Numbers
By James Poniewozik
A version of this article appears in print on Feb. 1, 2023, Section C, Page 1 of the New York edition with the headline: Gen X Nostalgia Gets a Sing-Along
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/31/arts/television/schoolhouse-rock-50th-anniversary.html

Analysis: The comics world (and beyond) react to new DCU plans
Heidi MacDonald
02/01/2023
https://www.comicsbeat.com/analysis-the-comics-world-and-beyond-react-to-new-dcu-plans/

DC Drama 'Pennyworth' Canceled at HBO Max

The prequel series about Batman's famed butler ran for three seasons, with the first two of them on MGM-backed Epix.

Lesley Goldberg

February 1, 2023

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/pennyworth-dc-drama-canceled-hbo-max-1235314884/

 

Why Don't You Love Me? by Paul B Rainey – a marriage made in hell veers into the unknown

Rachel Cooke

30 Jan 2023

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/jan/30/why-dont-you-love-me-by-paul-b-rainey-a-marriage-made-in-hell-veers-into-the-unknown

 

What If January 6 Had Worked? A Comic Explores That Disturbing Premise.

An interview with the Harvard prof who's one of the creators.

Written by Andrew Beaujon

  February 1, 2023

This article appears in the February 2023 issue of Washingtonian.

https://www.washingtonian.com/2023/02/01/what-if-january-6-had-worked-a-comic-explores-that-disturbing-premise/

 

Black Women In Cartoons: 'PW' Talks with Barbara Brandon-Croft

by Ebony V. Flowers

Feb 01, 2023

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/interviews/article/91415-black-women-in-cartoons-pw-talks-with-barbara-brandon-croft.html

 

Wednesday, February 01, 2023

Washingtonian's 1/6 comic book interview

What If January 6 Had Worked? A Comic Explores That Disturbing Premise.

An interview with the Harvard prof who's one of the creators.

Al Goodwyn cartoons newsletter is online

You can see it here.

Cavna on Wednesday Addams

Wednesday Addams, a character who spans '60s sitcoms and viral TikToks [in print as Wednesday Addams spans '60s sitcoms and viral TikToks].

Mike Violante, RIP

Mike Violante died last week. Edward Michael "Mike" Violante won't be a name familiar to anybody as some one in the comics field. But for me, he's a major figure. Along with my parents, he aided and abetted my love of comics. He also started my love of science fiction and fantasy novels. To use a space shuttle analogy from my youth, if my parents were the solid rocket boosters, with copies of Richie Rich, Archie, Superman, Mad, Disney digests, and Peanuts paperbacks around the house, Mike was the liquid fuel tank that fed the engines to push the shuttle into orbit. 

Mike was the person who got me started on Marvel. When he married my cousin Emma around 1970, I was 5 years old. A few years later than that (I would guess I was about 8), he gave me a stack of his comics. This was before speculator booms and they were only 10-15 years old at that point anyway, but it was still a generous gift. There were a lot of DC Silver Age science fiction and early Marvels. I grew hooked on Carmine Infantino's Adam Strange with its sleek futuristic lines, Space Cabbie, and the Challengers of the Unknown. Meanwhile Marvel's interlinked universe was a tantalizing mystery, as I read single issues of the Avengers and Spider-Man, including the ones that introduced Kang (Avengers 8) and the Green Goblin (Amazing Spider-Man 14; I have those numbers memorized). I still read Curt Swan, Elliot S! Maggin and Cary Bates' clever stories in DC's superhero line, as they tried to deal with a Superman who could move planets, or a Flash who could run faster than light. But when I started earning a bit of paper-delivering money, I bought Marvel and got thoroughly invested in their soap opera super heroics. Fortunately, my parent's ecumenical tastes carried me along, and even though superheroes have palled for me to this day, I read all types of comics. I have gotten to know a wide range of creators too, something the 8-year-old me would never have imagined.

Mike also gave me his Science Fiction Book Club collection after introducing me to fantasy books by giving me a copy of the Richard Corben-covered Llana of Gathol and John Carter Warlord of Mars combined edition. After a long physical and mental decline, Mike passed away last week in Arizona, thousands of miles and a lifetime away from growing up in northern New Jersey. As far as I know he never returned to comic books, although I think he still read science fiction at times. My last email from him was in January 2017, but it's safe to say that without Mike Violante, I would not be the person that I am today and I remain very grateful to him. I read those comics to death, and they have no value at all now to anyone but me, but boy, do they mean a lot to me. Thanks for everything, Mike. 

Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 1/31/23


 

IDEAS DON'T BLEED episode twenty | Christopher Sebela, part two

Matthew Rosenberg, Ethan S. Parker, and Griffin Sheridan

Jan 30 2023

https://ashcanpress.substack.com/p/and-no-transmissions-were-made

 

Hollywood Plans to Use AI to Youngify Tom Hanks in Adaptation of Surreal Graphic Novel Here

Kyle Barr

January 31 2023

https://gizmodo.com/ai-youngify-tom-hanks-metaphysic-deep-fake-1850055828

 

Apple TV+ to release 'Frog and Toad' animated series in April

January 27, 2023

AnimationXpress Team

https://www.animationxpress.com/animation/apple-tv-to-release-frog-and-toad-animated-series-in-april/

 

Toonz Animation Studios' founding member Bill Dennis passes away; CEO P. Jayakumar pays tribute

January 27, 2023

AnimationXpress Team

https://www.animationxpress.com/animation/toonz-animation-studios-founding-member-bill-dennis-passes-away/

 

DC Slate Unveiled: New Batman, Supergirl Movies, a Green Lantern TV Show, and More from James Gunn, Peter Safran

Borys Kit

January 31, 2023

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/james-gunn-unveils-dc-slate-batman-superman-1235314176/

 

James Gunn and Peter Safran on Building a New DC Universe

By Tim Beedle Tuesday, January 31st, 2023

https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/01/31/james-gunn-and-peter-safran-on-building-a-new-dc-universe

 

DCU's "Gods and Monsters" era begins with announcement of 10 projects

Heidi MacDonald

01/31/2023

https://www.comicsbeat.com/dcus-gods-and-monsters-era-begins-with-announcement-of-10-projects/

 

James Gunn unveils DC's new film and TV plan, including fresh spins on Supergirl, Batman

 Jan 31 2023

Sarah Whitten

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/31/james-gunn-dc-film-tv-plans-batman-superman-supergirl.html

 

New Superman and Supergirl Movies Confirmed for DC's New "First Chapter"

DC Studios' new Superman movie will focus on a Man of Steel who will "never kill anybody" while a Supergirl film will feature a "harsher" Kara. We've got details from James Gunn and Peter Safran...

  By Mike Cecchini | January 31, 2023

https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/superman-new-movie-supergirl-dc-first-chapter/

 

Berger Books Celebrates Five Years at Dark Horse!

Dark Horse Comics

Jan 31, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF8z0eDyuNw

 

Berger Books hits its five-year anniversary at Dark Horse Comics

The imprint celebrates its wooden anniversary with a new video spotlighting some of its biggest releases.

Joe Grunenwald

01/31/2023

https://www.comicsbeat.com/dark-horse-comics-berger-books-five-year-anniversary/

 

Lisa Loring, Wednesday Addams in 'The Addams Family,' Dies at 64

By Christine Hauser

Published Jan. 30, 2023Updated Jan. 31, 2023,

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/30/arts/television/lisa-loring-dead.html

 

Comic Watchers Show e0178: Daniel Kraus on AWA's TROJAN, Man!

Chad Burdette

Comic Watch Jan 19, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAUrXvl6dCs

 

MARVEL TO OMNIBIZE CROSSGEN'S 'SIGIL'

First Complete Collection of Early 2000s Space Saga

 Brigid Alverson on January 30, 2023

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/53188/marvel-omnibize-crossgens-sigil

 

Marvel's third annual Krakoa X-Men Vote feat. Dazzler & Jubilee

Avery Kaplan

01/31/2023

https://www.comicsbeat.com/vote-for-dazzler-23/

 

Jeff Smith hits the road for "Dawn of Man" national TUKI promo tour

Follow along on the Route 66 journey with the podcast launching in April!

Taimur Dar

01/31/2023

https://www.comicsbeat.com/jeff-smith-hits-the-road-for-dawn-of-man-national-tuki-promo-tour/

 

Art [Spiegelman]

Bob Levin | January 31, 2023

https://www.tcj.com/art/

 

'CORTO MALTESE' PARTNERS WITH BOAT BUILDER OLYMPIC RIBS

 Milton Griepp on January 31, 2023

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/53195/corto-maltese-partners-boat-builder

 

Vince Colletta's Letter To Marvel's "Droppings Of The Creative World"

Vince Colletta was an inker at Marvel from the 50s to the 80s. Jim Shooter was EIC in the 80s. Then he wasn't. So Vince wrote a letter...

by Rich Johnston

  30 Jan 2023

https://bleedingcool.com/comics/vince-collettas-letter-to-marvels-droppings-of-the-creative-world/

 

Marché de la BD, la charge irrésistible du manga

Jean-Laurent Truc

31 janvier 2023

https://www.ligneclaire.info/marche-de-la-bd-2022-273393.html

 

'King of the Hill' Revival Officially a Go at Hulu

Creators Mike Judge and Greg Daniels will be joined by showrunner Saladin Patterson and five of the original voice cast members.

Lesley Goldberg

January 31, 2023

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/king-of-the-hill-revival-hulu-1235313373/

 

Duggan & Koblish's THE GIANT KOKJÜ arrives in print from Image this Spring

Gerry Duggan and Scott Koblish reunite for a kaiju-inspired miniseries launching in comic shops this April

Cy Beltran

01/31/2023

https://www.comicsbeat.com/duggan-koblishs-the-giant-kokju-arrives-in-print-from-image-this-spring/

 

2023 ALA Youth Media Awards

January 31, 2023 by Esther Keller 

https://goodcomicsforkids.slj.com/2023/01/31/2023-ala-youth-media-awards/

 

Tom Hanks Is Right: You Should Be Talking About Road to Perdition

Road to Perdition is a beautifully filmed, exquisitely acted gangster classic, and Tom Hanks wants to know why we aren't talking about it.

  By Tony Sokol | January 31, 2023

https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/tom-hanks-is-right-you-should-talking-road-to-perdition/