FLOG! Entries - January 2011

Things to See: 1/31/11 Roundup

mike

• Jason draws R. Crumb and other memories of Angoulême 2000, plus more sketches, illustrations and film reviews at his Cats Without Dogs blog

• Dash Shaw 's new zine for this year's Angoulême Festival

• Betty Boop x Eraserhead by D.J. Bryant

• After a couple of very well-received mainstream comics efforts, Roger Langridge is back in the minicomics game

• Another panel from the concluding chapter of Derek Van Gieson's Mome serial

• Tom Kaczynski's lovely tribute to the late Trish Keenan from one of my top-20 favorite bands, Broadcast

And more Things to See from the past week:

• Steven Weissman's latest "I, Anonymous" spot on his Chewing Gum in Church blog

• Sketches by Marco Corona at his Il Canguro Pugilatore blog

• More artwork from Mark Kalesniko's forthcoming graphic novel Freeway at his blog

• More great sketches at Splog!, the Sergio Ponchione Lost Objects Gallery blog

• Drawings, sketches, photos from Renee French

• A Joe Kimball 1998 "artyfact"

• A new batch of sketches by Eleanor Davis at her We Be Ouija blog

Steve Brodner: Society of Illustrators Gold Medalist

mike

Congratulations to Steve Brodner, who reveals on his blog that he's been awarded a Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators for his above editorial illo for The New Yorker. Our pal Peter Kuper also picked up a Silver Medal in the Books category. The award ceremony takes place on Friday evening, and Steve and Peter appear on a panel discussion titled "Artists Against the War" on Feb. 10. More info at the preceding links.

Things to See: Overpass by Mark Kalesniko

mike

"Overpass" is a morbidly funny new 3-page "Alex" story posted by Mark Kalesniko over at his blog. I'm not sure if it's an outtake from his new graphic novel Freeway or brand new material but it's a welcome sight either way!

Paul Hornschemeier updates: new blog location, postcards, more

mike

Paul Hornschemeier has moved his "News and Headlice" blog to the following new URL:

http://blog.forlornfunnies.com

Update your RSS readers and bookmarks (does anyone still use those anymore?). Paul kicks things off over there with a new shirt design in the Forlorn Funnies Shirt Shop, a panorama of the New Chicago Comics exhibit, and the announcement of So-So Heroes, his postcard set coming out from Chronicle Books this fall.

Daily OCD: 1/31/11

mike

Today's Online Commentary & Diversions:

• Review: "Surrealism is dangerous. Mostly, when you leave the rails, the result is less glorious freedom and more quick kablooie. It’s an easy method for the lazy writer, but somehow when Ray Fenwick does it, it works. Mascots, his second book, is short on — but not absent — narrative. Its pages are made up of paintings on book covers that are largely text-based... Somehow, they hang together enough to produce a fuzzy but charming impression." – Hillary Brown, Paste

• Review: "...[T]he impressive thing about [Special Exits] is that, despite depressing subject matter, it’s extremely readable and fairly funny. Yes, you’ll think about the horrors of getting old and failing to maintain your independence, not to mention the even scarier prospect of taking care of your own parents. But if Farmer’s book is meant to soothe your fears, it kind of works." – Hillary Brown, Paste

• Review: "The black-and-white Hey, Wait… and Sshhh! are low-key ruminations on grief, loss and aging that bear Jason’s trademark anthropomorphic animals, clean lines and Scandinavian black humor. [...] Jason’s beautiful craftsmanship overcomes The Iron Wagon’s familiar material and, along with the rest of What I Did, foreshadows the excellent work to come later in the decade." – Garrett Martin, Paste

• Review: "There's no doubt in anyone's mind that Roy Crane was a first-class cartoonist, frequently making panels on the newspaper page that were absolutely to die for, stop-and-study moments of the kind that inspire the best students and discourage the worst. There are times when reading these rousing adventures of Navy pilot Buz Sawyer and his support man Roscoe Sweeney that it's hard to believe anything this striking ever appeared on the comics pages..." – Tom Spurgeon, The Comics Reporter

• Review: "A book like this should be must reading for those who want to know how the shojo we know today came to be. A Drunken Dream and Other Stories is not just for lovers of girl's manga, however. It's a book worthy to be read by anyone who likes good comics with a touch of fantasy and a touch of sadness. As with any book by a great creator, the appeal is almost universal... Hopefully, this will be the start of getting Hagio's name on the same pillar as Tezuka, which is clearly where she belongs. If by some chance you haven't read this manga yet, you owe it to yourself to find a copy right away. [...] This is one of those books that is not to be missed. It's destined to be a classic." – Rob McMonigal, Panel Patter

• Review: "...[E]ach page is a single panel, but each of those panels is so attractively detailed and evocative that the storytelling structure never feels rigid. Instead, it comes across as economical and precise while still filled with event and emotion. It’s a quick read, but it’s very satisfying, and it just invites you to revisit the story again. [...] Set to Sea ... is artistically successful on every front, but Weing’s substantial craftsmanship never overwhelms the simple, heartfelt story he’s telling." – David Welsh, The Manga Curmudgeon

• Review: "Destroy All Movies is an addictive, ambitious, behemoth of a book and it’s funny as all hell. There are too many sidesplitting takedowns of bad movies to list in this review, but if you enjoy bad movies (and especially if you enjoy stuff like Mystery Science Theater 3000), you will love this book. [...] Destroy All Movies truly shines as a lengthy love letter to cult cinema, punk pride notwithstanding. [...] You will want to refer to it and reread it over and over. It’s got that much good, not-so-clean, fun packed into its 500-plus pages." – Less Lee Moore, Popshifter

• Reviews (Audio): The new episode of Easy Rider, the radio show for "rock, punk rock, country, power pop, garage and comics" from Radio PFM out of Arras in northern France, features FUC_ __U, _SS __LE: Blecky Yuckerella Vol. 4 by Johnny Ryan and Bent by Dave Cooper among their Comics of the Week

• Plugs: Chris Mautner of Robot 6 on the newest volumes of Krazy & Ignatz, Popeye & Prince Valiant: "What stands out for me here, other than George Herriman’s usual artistry, is the subtle jokes about race… Considering Herriman’s own ethnic and racial heritage, I find moments like this fascinatingly telling. [...] I’ve gone on and on about my love for Segar’s Thimble Theater… Suffice it to say I think it’s an American classic and earns my heartiest recommendation… I still can’t quite get over just how much fun Hal Foster’s medieval epic is. Far from the dull, staid, storybook slog a first glance would suggest, the strip bursts with life and adventure, and not a little bit of bloodsport."

• Interview: Tom Spurgeon at The Comics Reporter: "It's my hope that the following interview with Tim Kreider comes close to replicating the experience of reading the author's new book, the Fantagraphics-published February offering Twilight of the Assholes. Both are long, both I hope are funny at times nearly all the way through (the book surely is), and both book and interview prove uncompromising in terms of both self-laceration and repeatedly stabbing the country's excesses, shortcomings and hypocrisies right in the face. [...] Kreider is... maybe as skilled a writer as there is out there also working with cartoons, and luckily Twilight of the Assholes includes both the cartoons and mini-essays explaining each one. I find him almost terrifyingly funny, both when I agree with him and when I don't." Kreider: "I think historians are likely look back on those eight years as a last chance squandered, a disastrous passing beyond the point of no return, the moment when America went irreversibly over the edge into terminal decline. Which is great news for me, as my cartoons happen to comprise a document of what it felt like to live through that time."

Things to See: Jim Woodring Congress of the Animals spread

mike

At The Woodring Monitor, another glimpse of Congress of the Animals: Frank and Quacky enter the amusement park.

From Crumb's Shelf to Your Ears

Eric

Musician John Heneghan, whom I've mentioned on this blog previously, is a frequent musical collaborator with R. Crumb. And now, he's been entrusted with selling off some of the more extraneous items in Crumb's legendary 78 record collection. Many of the items include hand-written notes by Crumb on the sleeve of each piece. These could make a super cool, ultra-unique gift for any Crumb fans in your life.

Happy 10th Anniversary, Clowes Bibliography!

Eric

Our old pal Ken Parille, one of the best comics critics in the business (see his posts on BlogFlumer), launched a modest online bibliography of the works of Daniel Clowes way back in 2001. Tomorrow, it celebrates its 10th anniversary on the web. It remains one of the most thorough bibliographies of any cartoonist on the web, and is a must-reference for any serious Clowes collector. Happy anniversary!

TCJ.com 1/22/11 - 1/28/11 recap and preview of next week

mdean

This past week on TCJ.com:

R.C. Harvey on comic strips and “Logic Gone Sane.”

Rob Clough concluded his three-part series on recent D&Q issues with a look at the final installment of Anders Nilsen’s Big Questions.

Parts Four, Five and Six went up of Kristian Williams series of essays on Garth Ennis’ aerial combat comics.

Rob Clough worked through his tcj.com slush pile.

R.C. Harvey looked at comic strips that tackled religious subject matter.

Rich Kreiner touted Tag Team.

Rob Clough looked at Adrian Tomine’s Scenes from an Impending Marriage through the prism of wedding-induced psychosis.

R.C. Harvey looked at some pictures.

He also praised X-9: Secret Agent Corrigan by Al Williamson and Archie Goodwin.

Rob Clough was curious about Curio Cabinet.

Matthias Wivel, Fredrik Stromberg (also here and here) and Bart Croonenborghs are serving as our foreign correspondents at Angoulême.

Bart Croonenborghs also took a side-trip through the Mountains of Madness.

Sean Michael Robinson leaves food for thought for the weekend with his analysis of The Simpsons Child Pornography case.

And coming next week:

Chris Ware talks to Matthias Wivel; R.C. Harvey looks at Smurfs creator Peyo and tells us what it means to write comics; Rob Clough and Rich Kreiner cover minis from up-and-comers such as Alexis Frederick-Frost and Colin Tedford; and our foreign correspondents on all the latest from Angoulême.

Weekend Webcomics for 1/28/11: Weissman & more

mike

Here's this week's Weissman, plus links to other strips from around the web (including a new second run of an old fave):

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Barack Hussein Obama by Steven Weissman (view at original size):

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And elsewhere:

The All-New Cartoon Boy Adventure Hour by John Kerschbaum (an encore presentation of John's Act-i-vate strip at MTV Geek)

Belligerent Piano by Tim Lane:

Ectiopiary by Hans Rickheit:

Lucky by Gabrielle Bell:

Maakies by Tony Millionaire:

Truth Serum by Jon Adams:

Daily OCD: 1/28/11

mike

Today's Online Commentary & Diversions:

• Review: "It’s the details that distinguish what Jordan Crane does. He’s not breaking any conceptual or thematic or formal ground in the two stories comprising this fourth issue of his old-school solo-anthology alternative-comic-book series [Uptight]... ["Dark Day"] is part of your basic “kid explores a magical world beyond the watchful eyes of adults” set-up, while ["Trash Night"] presents love and sex through a sordid, hate-fucky lens, an approach I’ll always associate with the 1990s filmography of Jeremy Irons. But none of that accounts for the sticky, unexpected images he pours into these familiar templates. [...] At this stage in his career it’s quite clear how impeccable Crane’s technique is, both as an artist and as a designer; I think it’s equally important to note that what he does with that technique is just as considered and just as well-executed." – Sean T. Collins, Attentiondeficitdisorderly

• Plug: "...Fantagraphics are offering up a preview of Joe Daly’s Dungeon Quest 2. I’d actually forgotten that this book was coming out, otherwise I’d probably have included it in my list of essential purchases for 2011. The first Dungeon Quest book was a hell of a fun read, and contained a heady blend of stoner philosophy and hardcore roleplaying action. It’s a bit like what you’d get if Kevin Smith reinvented Dungeons & Dragons!" – Edward Kaye, Hypergeek

• Plug: "...Fantagraphics are offering up a preview of The Arctic Marauder, a reprint of one of Jacques Tardi’s earliest and most distinctive graphic novels. From the preview, the book looks pretty damn fantastic! I’m a real sucker for a steampunk story, and this looks right up my alley!" – Edward Kaye, Hypergeek

Jean Schulz & Snoopy meet the US Ambassador to France at Angoul�me

mike

From our colleagues at Dargaud comes this video footage of Jean Schulz at the opening of the Peanuts exhibit at the Angoulême Festival yesterday with U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Rivkin and other dignitaries in attendance. Vive le Snoopy! (Via Bleeding Cool.)

Mickey Mouse scoop from co-editor David Gerstein

mike

Roger Ash of Westfield Comics conducted a very informative Q&A with David Gerstein, co-editor (along with Gary Groth) of our forthcoming series of Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse by Floyd Gottfredson. It's a must-read for anyone who's been looking forward to these reprints! A sample: "Mickey’s brave, witty, imaginative and incredibly daring in Gottfredson’s stories. He’s a scrapper, ready to fight for what he believes in; but he’s not always right about what he thinks is right, so he can create a mess for himself and have to do some great soul-searching afterwards – serious and funny at once (which is hard to pull off as well as Gottfredson did it!)."

John P. Morgan 1957-2010

kimt

Another death in the family, alas.

When I created Critters back in the 1980s, it was largely so that I'd have a publication in which I could publish the work of cartoonists within the funny-animal genre that I liked (Stan Sakai, Freddy Milton, J. Quagmire, and Steven Gallacci), as well as on occasion chiseling some work out of other cartoonists in the same ballpark (Jim Engel, Mike Kazaleh, Ty Templeton, and Mark Armstrong). A side benefit was that as the comic became better known, I started to receive submissions from other cartoonists, several of whom became regulars in the magazine.

One of my very favorites was "Fission Chicken," a hilariously deadpan super-hero parody written and drawn in a sort of Scott-Shaw!-meets-Paul-Coker-Jr. doodly style by John P. Morgan. "Fission Chicken" ran in a number of Critters (including as a solo feature in one of the late, one-feature-per-issue issues), and when I pulled the plug on Critters I was especially sad to leave ol' Fish homeless.

John continued to produce the occasional "Fission Chicken" story, released a book collection of some of the Critters material, and eventually started serializing new Fission Chicken stories on his website, while also "reprinting" classic older material. I'd lost track of him for years until Edd Vick passed along the unfortunate news that John had died last December 30th.

Another good guy, gone far too soon. Although none of his work is in print, several "Fission Chicken" stories can be downloaded and read from his still-extant website, fissionchicken.com -- have a look. Enjoying John's work one more time (or for the first time) would be the best way of honoring him.

Georgetown Art Attack Celebrates Third Anniversary on Saturday, February 12

LarryR

Since its inception in February 2008, the Georgetown Second Saturday Art Attack has warmed the hearts of Seattle art patrons. This lovely showcase of adventurous visual and performing arts enters its fourth year on February 12, just in time for Valentine's. What better way to celebrate this romantic occasion than with boisterous revelry in the heart of Seattle's historic Georgetown industrial arts quarter?

Among the programming on February 12: Rat City Brass in concert at the 9 Lb. Hammer; the first annual "Freakfest" at the Mix featuring Ramona the Band, burlesque acts, DJs and more; "The Chair Project" at Seattle Design Center with works by Laura Ward, Steve Jensen, Chris McMullen, Larry Calkins, Tom DeGroot, Piper O'Neill, Romson Bustillo, Brian Murphy, Jared Rue and Judith Kindler; "Lovesick" at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery with recent works by Bureau of Drawers cartoonist collective including Breanne Boland, Nikki Burch, Tom Dougherty, Scott Faulkner, Billis Helg, Tyler Hill, David Lasky, Calamity Jon Morris, Marc Palm, Sean Robinson, Mark Stockbridge, Ed Trumbule, Adam Watson, Dalton Webb, and Stevie VanBronkhorst; drawing and paintings with sculptural inclusions, found objects, and fiber by Joseph Larkin at Nautilus studio; a group exhibition at Calamity Jane's with Richard Olmsted, Micheal Shephard and Anne O' Neill; painter and illustrator Anson Maddocks at Krab Jab studio; a blacksmithing demonstration by Andy Blakney at Firelight Forge and other open studios in the Equinox building; the Georgetown Arts and Cultural Center commemorates its fourth anniversary with resident artists Angelina Torrentino, Ed Lebel, Tiphoni, Lee Holcomb, Loie Gong, Breinna Hartman and Ted Wallace; Fonda La Catrina, Georgetown's soon-to-open Mexican restaurant hosts an exhibition by Angielena Vitale Chamberlain with the premiere of large paintings, live music, and DJs; a group show of heart art curated by Marq Dean, Amanda Dellinger, and Mary Enslow at All City Coffee; ArtCore Studios presents a new series of stencil paintings by Sullivan Giles focusing on the machines used by tattoo artists; Georgetown Trailer Park Mall features new work and live painting by muralist Henry Ward and friends along with a romantic collection of vintage trailers full of gifts, and sweet & savories by guest culinary artists Street Treats & Fusion on the Run; new works by Shawn Zeiger at the Firm; and the usual assortment of exotic characters and cuisine in one of Seattle's most colorful neighborhoods.

The Georgetown Second Saturday Art Attack is a monthly production of the Georgetown Merchants Association. For more information contact Art Attack coordinator Larry Reid. For a printable participants map visit: www.georgetownartattack.com .

The Umpteen Millionaire Club: Discussion Questions for Castle Waiting Vol. 2

kvalenti

[The Comics Journal interns Laura Pieroni and Chi-Wen Lee put together a series of discussion questions about Linda Medley's Castle Waiting Vol. 2 for use in book clubs. As these questions are intended for those who have read the book, please be warned that they may contain mild spoilers. – Ed.]

Synopsis:

Linda Medley's fairy-tale misfits are back in the second volume of Castle Waiting. While some of Castle Waiting's residents reminisce, a Hammerling pair ventures to the castle for assistance in putting together a woman's wardrobe. In return for Lady Jain's help with the clothes, the Hammerlings assist in the unearthing of a secret passageway. Castle inhabitants' pasts are revealed through flashbacks: Dr. Fell's dark history with the plague, Lady Jain's childhood experiences with her betrothed and evil half-sisters, and the story of Simon's father are brought to light.

Discussion Questions:

Genre and History

What are some of the ways that Linda Medley stays faithful to the "fantasy" genre, and in what ways does she break from it?

The second volume reveals Dr. Fell's past as a doctor during the Black Plague; what effect does incorporating historical events/facts into the story have?

What part does Christianity play in the series?

How does Sister Peace interpret the role of the nun? How is she the same or different from a traditional nun?

Relationships

What is the relationship between Leeds and Sister Peace?

How has Pindar affected those living in the castle?

What can the reader infer from Jain's relationships with Tylo and Pindar's father?

What is the relationship between the Hammerlings and humans?

What is the relationship between Jain and her (half?) sisters?

Themes

At one point in the story, Flora is trapped in the armory pen to keep her from chewing out of the wooden one; how does this reflect Jain's situation in the castle?

Sister Peace, Simon and Mr. Rackham exhibit traits that are atypical of traditional gender roles. What are these characteristics, and how does this affect their interactions with the other members in the castle?

What does this say about the author's view on traditional roles?

Daily OCD: 1/27/11

mike

Today's Online Commentary & Diversions:

• Review: "[The Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec] is Tardi riffing on the sensational and wordy mysteries of the era just removed from the Victorian period. [...] So it's intentionally silly and comically austere. [...] This, for me, is all about the art, the cartooning, and the post-Victorian subject matter. While the stories are somewhat light, with intentionally flat dialogue, it's all a wonder to behold. A fantastic looking book to tuck next to my Tintins." – Paul Montgomery, iFanboy

• Review: "...I bring to you my second choice for best of 2010: Werewolves of Montpellier by Jason. [...] A lot of Jason books tend to do this to me: I’ll be in the middle of some ridiculous story about werewolves, or time traveling to kill Hitler, and in the middle of it I get dragged out and remember a stupid or wonderful moment in my own life. Which is kind of wonderful writing, in my opinion." – Jay Bodnar, Wednesday's Child

• Interview: Comic Book Resources' Alex Dueben talks to Tony Millionaire: "That's why I called it 'Maakies.' I was thinking about calling it 'Drinky Crow,' but I thought, well, I'm drinking a lot right now, but what if I'm not drinking in five years? Then what? Of course, I still am. But if you just call it a nonsense name, like Schultz calling his strip 'Peanuts,' it can be about anything and you can go anywhere with it. If you call your strip 'Dick Tracy,' you'd better have the detective in it."

• Preview: The Beat shares our preview of Jacques Tardi's The Arctic Marauder, saying "wow!" and "It looks truly neat-o."

Dungeon Quest Book 2 by Joe Daly - Previews, Pre-Order

mike

Dungeon Quest, Book 2
by Joe Daly

136-page black & white 6" x 8.25" softcover • $12.99
ISBN: 978-1-60699-436-8

Ships in: March 2011 (subject to change) — Pre-Order Now

Millennium Boy, Steve, Lash Penis, and Nerdgirl continue on their twin mystical quests to find the missing parts of the Atlantean Resonator Guitar, as well as to locate the prophet and poet Bromedes and return his borrowed penis sheath, in this second hilarious, violent, and rip-roaringly entertaining installment of Joe (The Red Monkey Double Happiness Book) Daly's role-playing-game-inspired graphic novel series.

Fortified and empowered with a brand new collection of weapons and resources (including the magical Egyptian Book of Thoth, the Iron Crocodile badge, and the rectally transported Gliding Charger of the Eel), the valorous quartet must contend with river trolls, a leaf monster, glo-babies, and copious amounts of killer weed and serious blow.

Will they succeed in one or more of their noble quests? Or are the dice of fate loaded in their disfavor? You'll have to read Dungeon Quest Book Two to find out!

Download an EXCLUSIVE 12-page PDF excerpt (1.4 MB).

Video & Photo Slideshow Preview (view in new window):

Exclusive Savings: Order Dungeon Quest Books 1 & 2 together and save 20% off both!

Daily OCD: 1/26/11

mike

Today's Online Commentary & Diversions:

• List: The number ten original graphic novel on Greg Burgas's "Best Ten of 'Ten" at Comic Book Resources is Cathy Malkasian's Temperance: "Malkasian’s odd fable is a haunting book about hiding your true self, coming to grips with deceit, and the necessity of striking out from the safety of home to discover new and possibly dangerous things. [...] Temperance is an amazing comic, always a bit oblique but never impenetrable... It’s a weird book that feels like a dream, which allows Malkasian to use metaphor to reveal fundamental truths. Malkasian is a superb creator, and this is a good example of what she’s capable of."

• Review: "Most of the content [in Unexplored Worlds] is in the Sci-Fi genre that features unexplored worlds, alien attacks...standard stuff of the era but in Ditko’s talented hands nothing is ever standard. When Ditko steps away from the science fiction material he comes up with some truly unusual stories... Besides the stories there are over a dozen Ditko covers reprinted and a fascinating introduction by Blake Bell. Bell provides an outstanding overview of this period of Ditko’s career." – Tim Janson, Newsarama

• Review: "This isn't a book of men achieving medals and glory, rather it is a book of men trying to live to see the next sunrise. With a book so realistically downbeat full marks must go to Fantagraphics for translating and publishing it in an American market that it so fixated on the generally upbeat fantasy of superheroes. For all its depressing tone It Was the War of the Trenches leaves you with a sense of accomplishment of getting to the end and of having read something worthwhile, and that perhaps is what sets it apart from so many other war stories." – Jeremy Briggs, downthetubes.net

• Tribute/History: Tom Spurgeon's excellent obituary of Craig Maynard at The Comics Reporter is a must-read

Things to See: The Loneliest Girl in Town - A Yikes Cartoon

mike

Another wonderful animated short from Steven Weissman and crew! It's a slightly longer one which means the return of the end credits theme song, yay.