Sunday, December 08, 2013

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Kathleen Brenowitz


Kathleen Brenowitz was at this fall's Intervention con in Rockville displaying her work. She kindly answered my standard interview questions (all images except the photo are from Kathleen's websites).

ComicsDC: What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

Kathleen Brenowitz: I'm a pen-and-ink illustrator who writes and draws my
own comics, along with taking commissions for illustrations.

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

Dip-pens with acrylic ink and sometimes watercolors are my usual tools of choice. Something about the scratching tremors I can feel up my hand and the smooth glide of ink is really very calming? I'm usually a ball of energy bouncing around but I like how traditional inking and painting allows me to still myself and focus. I've started experimenting with digital coloring though - I love the broad, even expanses of color you can get with digital, so experimenting has been fun!

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

I was born in 1990, in New York (and you can hear it in how fast I talk).

Why are you in Washington now?  What neighborhood or area do you live in?

I'm actually more towards Baltimore, up in Towson. I went to Goucher College and still have friends in the area, plus the rent's cheaper around here. I've been enjoying my time here though!

What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

My mother's old college pals from her art school days are still close friends of the family, and taught me drawing tricks when I was younger, but for the most part I'm self -taught. I did take some classes in high school and college – life drawing (so useful!) - but I eneded up majoring in communications with an interest in film. I think film has aided me in telling stories more visually, and using panels as camera shots.

Who are your influences?

A bit of an odd mix for drawing – Aubrey Beardsley for his clean and sensual linework, Herge for his Tintin comics with their hyper-detail and lovely panel layouts, and Mobius for his beautifully weird designs. Writing is harder to track, since I devour books; I'd say Mr. Asimov had a hand in my love of sci-fi, along with Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett for warping my sense of humor at a young age.

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

I'm just starting out but...I think I would have tried to get up my webcomic while I was still in college? Would have been nice to have that underway when I graduated so I had some more momentum.

What work are you best-known for?

My black-and-white inks and insane amounts of detail. If I had to describe my style for writing and drawing, I'd have to say 'fiddly'.

What work are you most proud of?

Right now the first issue of my comic series, Pertho. It's called High Hopes and I think it turned out rather
well!

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

I'd love to have more published works under my belt, along with completing a visual novel.

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

Sometimes I run errands on my bike – the movement helps to clear my head and remove any excess nervous energy that might be blocking me. Or at other times I try to get some new imput buy going to a museum or listening to a new band a friend recommends. You can't give good output without some input, and I've found usually writer's block is simply that I'm running myself dry.

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

I have no idea – and that's what makes it so much fun :D

What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?

I went to Okatcon two times, but I've never been a major con person ; never really had the extra money to spend. But I enjoyed my time at Intervention - this was actually my first time tabling at a con and it couldn't have been more enjoyable! I'm going to be visiting SPX for the first time this year as well, as an attendee :)

What's your favorite thing about DC?

The museums! I still haven't seen all of the National Gallery and I probably never will – it's just that big.

Least favorite?

Well, I'd like it if the mass transit system got some more upkeep. The Metro might look straight out of 1960s French sci-fi, but both it and the buses could use some love.

What monument or museum do you like to take visitors to?

I love the Freer Gallery – it's an oddly intimate gallery, being that it was all one person's taste that collected the pieces. I love taking people through it and seeing if they get that feeling as well, of walking through another person's thought patterns made manifest in their taste.

How about a favorite local restaurant?

Sushi Hana, up here in Towson? Order the fire salmon with a side order of avocado sashmi – it's delicate slices of salmon that have been lightly seared. When you place one in your mouth you can feel them softly melt, the texture a perfect blend of resistance and submission – like a truffle of savory oils. Combine with the avocado, and the flavours of both are perfectly complemented, the avacodo carrying the salmon's inner sweetness but providing perfect contrast for the fish's outer shell of cooked flesh. Seriously, buy it and savor it – it's utterly delicious.

Do you have a website or blog?

Yup! I have an 'official' site at www.ksbrenowitz.weebly.com and a tumblr at www.puzzlinghappenstance.tumblr.com

Coming up on ComicsDC - a week of Meet a Local Cartoonist

I've been very remiss at getting some interviews online this fall, so I'm going to try to get one a day up this week. I apologize to anyone who has been waiting - it's no reflection on you!

Mike

Clifford Berryman cartoons in family's hands

Tryon family cherishes images by 'teddy bear' cartoonist

Clifford Berryman's drawing of the Curb Reporter still appears in the Tryon Daily Bulletin.

Courtesy of Vining family

By Gina Malone
Times-News December 8, 2013
http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20131208/articles/312081004?p=all&tc=pgall&tc=ar

Photos of Congressman Lewis' March: Book One talk

These images are from the Barnes and Noble in Washington, DC. Along with Rep. Lewis is his co-author Andrew Aydin. As you might expect, Lewis is an excellent speaker, and carried the crowd along with him with no trouble. I was taken with the interracial makeup of the crowd. Most book talks I go to are overwhelming white. Several people had over a half-dozen copies to have signed. The hardcover is sold out, and the paperback is about to be. Big Planet Bethesda still has copies, I'm told.







Art car in Arlington

This artfully decorated car usually parks on George Mason Drive near Four Mile Run in Arlington, VA. How many of the cartoon characters on the roof can you name?




Saturday, December 07, 2013

Comic Riffs on PictureBox

PictureBox Appreciation: In just a decade, Dan Nadel's small publisher had an outsized impact

By Frank Santoro

Lost Art Books interviewed for the podcast Robots From Tomorrow

Joe Procopio mentioned this on Facebook:


 7
I was interviewed for the podcast "Robots From Tomorrow" at the Small Press Expo earlier this year. I hold forth on the Lost Art Books' mission, how we produce our books, and the subject of our latest volume, comic artist Matt Baker.
Lost Art Books interview, SPX 2013
Joe Procopio, founder of Lost Art Books, was interviewed about his press and its latest release, "Th...

View Post on Facebook · Edit Email Settings · Reply to this email to add a comment.

Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "Egyptian Revolution no.2"

Mike's sent another one over the e-transom.

"Egyptian Revolution no.2 (After Delacroix)"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=1416

Anyone who knows my work will tell you that I really love parodying famous works of art, and the recent revival of revolutionary action in the streets following the Egyptian government's newly-passed law restricting public protest seemed the perfect time to do my version of one of my favorite 19th Century French paintings: Eugene Delacroix's Liberty Leading The People.

All across Egypt, ordinary people are taking to the streets to assert their rights in defiance of government efforts to criminalize public protest. A mass student strike in Cairo proetsting the police shooting of a student demonstrator this week displayed the kind of courage in the face of state violence which should inspire the meek and cushy-living activists of the US to bolder action -- but will probably not.

Friday, December 06, 2013

Post Office and SpongeBob work together


Have your message delivered by SpongeBob

Washington Post December 5 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/have-your-message-delivered-by-spongebob/2013/12/04/dc77fed6-5c58-11e3-be07-006c776266ed_story.html
I stopped by a PO in Arlington, VA today, but didn't see any of these postcards. If anyone sees them, please note where in the comments.

The Post doesn't like the new Chomsky cartoon

For Fanboys of Noam Chomsky: 'Is the Man Who Is Tall Happy?' movie review

By

Washington Post December 6, 2013,

http://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/is-the-man-who-is-tall-happy-movie-review/2013/12/04/e2f61152-57ae-11e3-8304-caf30787c0a9_story.html

The Millions reviews March Book One

Difficult History: On John Lewis's March

By
November 29, 2013
http://www.themillions.com/2013/11/difficult-history-on-john-lewiss-march.html

Richard Thompson's medical status

I've just spoken to Richard's wife Amy and found out that he'll be discharged from the hospital to a local nursing facility for days of physical, occupational and speech therapy. He did fine with his first day of a new hip, but of course the Parkinsons that caused the fall will not make this recovery easy.

She's also planning on giving him his iPad soon so he'll be able to read email directly, without responding in his morphine dreams.

Mike

Today: Fantastic Forum on television, taped at Victory Comics.

Watch FANTASTIC FORUM in Montgomery County, MD today at 5:30 PM on MCM Comcast channel 21; RCN channel 21; Verizon FiOS channel 21. On location from Victory Comics in Falls Church, VA! Host Devon Sanders and panelists Chris Peleo-LazarBrandon Keith Hallmark andJames Rambo engage in discussion on Krypton's Last Son, The Man of Tomorrow, the mighty Man of Steel. COMIC CHARACTER PROFILE: SUPERMAN. With producer/host Ulysses E Campbell's interview with MARK WAID and Cool Toys Segment on DC DIRECT SUPERMAN V. MUHAMMAD ALI STATUE.

Local material at Michigan State's Comic Art Collection

A 'for the record' post, but also to note Art Hondros' contribution as I just found out that Art also did the cover to the first Politics and Prose anthology, available at the store.
Cataloged in November:
What Fox Guy Had to Teach Us / Art Hondros. -- Washington,     D.C. : Washington Post, 2013. -- p. 17-24 : ill. ; 27 cm.     -- Begins: "For a couple of decades, a familiar sight in     Takoma Park, Maryland, was that of a tall grizzled fellow     carrying a fox pelt in a steel trap." -- Detached from the     Washington Post Magazine, Mar. 17, 2013. -- Biographical     genre, about Walt Rave, an animal rights activist. -- Call     no.: PN6727.H558F6 2013

Comics Research Bibliography / by Michael Rhode and John A.     Lent. -- Arlington, Virginia : ComicsDC, 2012. -- 2 v. (832     p.) : 28 cm. -- A bibliography of works about comic books,     comic strips, animation, caricature, cartoons, and related     topics. -- LIBRARY HAS: v. 1-2. -- Call no.: Z5956.C3R47     2012

Richard Thompson 2008 interview available

The new International Journal of Comic Art has an interview I did with Richard in 2008 at the dawn of Cul de Sac. The editor tells me that single issues are available - it's $22.50 for over 800 pages of comics articles.

Contact:

John A. Lent
669 Ferne Blvd.
Drexel Hill, PA 19026
U.S.A.
Phone: 610-622-3938

Use the email address for Paypal requests.

Jan 8: Cartoonist Nick Bruel at Politics and Prose

Nick Bruel - Bad Kitty Drawn to Trouble

Jan 8 2014 
$13.99
ISBN-13: 9781596436718
Availability: Coming Soon - Available for Pre-Order Now
Published: Roaring Brook Press, 1/2014 
 
5015 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington
District Of Columbia
20008
United States

Brian Turner's art for a Bill Watterson biopic

Brian Turner of Identity Comics Studio did the art for a parody of Bill "Calvin and Hobbes" Watterson  up at The Gutters.

Trailer for new story from the Aphelion Arc series

A trailer for a new story in the APHELION ARC Illustrated Anthology Series will soon be added to the APHELION ARC website at http://www.aphelionarc.com
Meanwhile, you may be able to view it on YouTube at

As with the previous trailer, it uses storyboard sketches and original music.

'SECONDS' is Story Three of Issue 1.

The first trailer for the second story in the series, 'ON TARGET' is available for viewing at http://aphelionarc.com/stories.html (click the STORIES TWO button).



Steven G. Artley
President/Creative Director
http://aphelionarc.com


Thursday, December 05, 2013

Mo Willems interviewed in The Post

March Book One makes School Library Journal best of 2013 list

SLJ's Top 10 Graphic Novels of 2013
By the "Good Comics for Kids" bloggers
December 4, 2013
http://www.slj.com/2013/12/reviews/best-of/sljs-top-10-graphic-novels-of-2013/

Comic Riffs talks to Ed Piskor

BEST BOOKS OF 2013: Ed Piskor finds a beautiful groove with 'Hip Hop Family Tree'
By Michael Cavna Washington Post Comic Riffs blog December 4 2013

Tonight: Solomon on Norman Rockwell at Politics and Prose

I saw her speak last night, and enjoyed it so much I'm going again tonight.

Thursday, December 5

7 p.m. - Deborah Solomon - American Mirror (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $28)


Book Cover

 


Mo Willems, also a cartoonist, featured in Express

Mo Willems' creations charm kids in the Kennedy Center's 'Elephant and Piggie's We Are in a Play!' [in print as Beasts of Both Worlds: Mo Willems' Gerald and Piggie charm kids in books and on stage, p. E4]
BY KRISTEN PAGE-KIRBY

Carla Speed McNeil makes Time's top 10 comics list

I just got my copy of this so I haven't read it yet (or posted about it here). See what Douglas Wolk says about:


9. Bad Houses, Sara Ryan and Carla Speed McNeil



Wednesday, December 04, 2013

BPC 100th podcast this Friday--live!

This Friday, Big Planet Comics will hold its 100th podcast episode live at its D.C. store starting at 8:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend.


Art by Paulina Ganucheau

Ryan Holmberg's books on sale at Picturebox


Maryland-based Ryan Holmberg has been writing some excellent material at tcj.com lately. He's also translated three books of classic manga through Picturebox, which is having a 50% off sale prior to going out of business.

I strongly recommend the 10-cent Manga books Last of the Mohicans and the brand-new Tezuka translation, The Mysterious Underground Men.

NPR's recommendations on 2013's Comics & Graphic Novels

Clark poster for GEMS

Colleen Clark, a local cartoonist studying at the Columbus College of Art & Design in Ohio, posted on her Facebook page an illustration she did for Girls Educational and Mentoring Services (GEMS), an organization in New York that serves girls and young women who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking. "A little while ago, I watched the documentary 'Very Young Girls' that educated me and made me extremely passionate about this cause," Colleen wrote. The illustration was part of a class assignment for a non-profit group.

Danish Islam Cartoons mentioned in Washington Examiner

Obama, Eric Holder, cartoons and Lady Gaga are among the 'inappropriate' images purged from FBI counter-terror training
BY MARK FLATTEN | NOVEMBER 25, 2013
[IN PRINT AS LADY GAGA, CARTOONS AMONG 'INAPPROPRIATE' IMAGES PURGED FROM FBI TRAINING MANUALS], DECEMBER 2 2013, P.05

USA Today banner flogs Spider-Man 2 (or 5)

From Randy T.

I noticed USATODAY.COM's logo has a Spidey head in it today, and if you click on it, you get this link: http://www.usatoday.com/interactive/3855945
 

Weldon reviews The Encyclopedia of Early Earth on NPR

Moving Fables Of Gods, Men, Love And Monsters In 'Early Earth'
by GLEN WELDON
December 03, 2013 

Tuesday, December 03, 2013

Washington Whispers on Rep. Lewis' March

Congress Getting Rep. John Lewis' Civil Rights Comic Book for Christmas

Washington Whispers blog December 3, 2013
http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2013/12/03/congress-getting-rep-john-lewis-civil-rights-comic-book-for-christmas

Joe Procopio on Matt Baker

President Obama buys 2 books by cartoonists

When he shopped at DC's excellent bookstore Politics and Prose last Saturday, President Obama bought 2 books by cartoonists, according to the list on CNN. Neither of the books would be thought to be cartoon books:

"Harold and the Purple Crayon" is a children's book by Crockett Johnson, who also did the truly great comic strip Barnaby, now available from Fantagraphics.

"Ottoline and the Yellow Cat" is by Chris Riddell, a British cartoonist and illustrator.

Comics. They're everywhere.

PR: Publisher donates Rep. John Lewis' civil rights graphic novel to every member of Congress





Top Shelf Products

Publisher donates Rep. John Lewis' civil rights graphic novel to every member of Congress

Now that his new graphic novel has launched to bestseller status and even triggered a rerelease of the 1950s comic book that sparked the idea, Rep. John Lewis has another surprise: his publisher is donating digital copies of both books to each of his colleagues in Congress.

MARCH: BOOK ONE and MARTIN LUTHER KING AND THE MONTGOMERY STORY


After more than five decades of activism, US Congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis has made history once again this year. His new memoir MARCH: BOOK ONE, co-written with Andrew Aydin and drawn by Nate Powell, is the first ever graphic novel by a member of Congress. It debuted in August to great acclaim from critics, TV hosts, book festivals, schoolteachers, and young readers alike, not to mention #1 status on both New York Times and Washington Post bestseller lists. That incredible launch was recently followed by a re-release of MARTIN LUTHER KING AND THE MONTGOMERY STORY, the groundbreaking 1950s comic book which galvanized Lewis and his generation of civil-rights activists, now available for the first time in digital format as well as a new reprinted edition.
Now, to celebrate the launch of both titles, MARCH publisher Top Shelf Productions has partnered with the Fellowship of Reconciliation (original publishers of THE MONTGOMERY STORY) and digital-comics leader ComiXology to share these powerful and timeless works with Rep. Lewis' colleagues in Congress. Each member of the House and Senate is receiving a complimentary digital copy of both MARCH: BOOK ONE and MARTIN LUTHER KING AND THE MONTGOMERY STORY.
In a statement accompanying the gift, Congressman Lewis noted that the MARCH project "…is not just my story, it's the story of a movement, the story of a generation that stood up for justice in our country.
"Just like the comic book I read more than 50 years ago, it is my hope that this graphic novel can inspire new generations to speak up and speak out, to make their voice heard, and, hopefully, to make our nation a more just and peaceful place for all."
MARCH: BOOK ONE is the first in a trilogy, with the second and third volumes planned for 2014 and 2015.
Congressman Lewis and co-author Andrew Aydin are appearing tonight at Barnes & Noble in downtown Washington, DC (555 12th St NW), at 6:30pm, to speak about and sign MARCH: BOOK ONE. For more information, please visit: http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/82310
Top Shelf Products
Your friend thru comics,
Chris Staros
Top Shelf Productions
PO Box 1282
Marietta GA 30061-1282
USA


David Hagen art show at NBC Studios



David Hagen has an art show this month at NBC Studios here in DC. He reports that security is tight, but you can see pictures on his blog.

I've got 2 of his paintings hanging in my house, much to my wife's chagrin. (They're superheroes).

B'more Comic Con on 'Comic Book Men'

The AMC show "Comic Book Men" this weekend featured the guys of the Secret Stash comic shop launching their comic Cryptozoic Man at the 2013 Baltimore Comic Con.

Nick Galifianakis' signed prints sale (as seen in the Washington Post)

The Nick and Zuzu HOLIDAY SALE - 25% off all signed prints!

Visit http://www.NickandZuzu.com to order any print on the site for 25% off the regular price before 12/20!

Arthur Suydam interview online at Fantastic Forum

Ulysses and Fantastic Forum report that they've posted a newly-completed interview with artist Athur Suydam. Mr. Suydam is currently best known for his covers on the Marvel Zombies series.

Tonight: March's authors at Barnes & Noble downtown



After a host of massively successful events and media coverage, US Congessman and civil rights icon John Lewis, the last living speaker from the March on Washington, is coming to the downtown DC Barnes & Noble for a book signing of his #1 bestselling graphic novel autobiography March: Book One, together with co-author Andrew Aydin, next Tuesday, December 3rd at 6:30pm!


Recent updates on the amazing response to this graphic novel:
  • a sellout appearance at the National Press Club Book Fair last week
  • a glowing review in Sunday's New York Times
  • an in-depth appearance on The Rachel Maddow Show earlier this month
  • being named one of 2013's best books by the Washington Post, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, School Library Journal, and Amazon
  • Currently in its 14th week on the NYT Bestseller list
  • As well as tons of earlier coverage from The Colbert Report to CNN and NPR appearances, and even breaking sales records at Comic-Con!
Lewis and Aydin will be speaking & signing Tuesday at the Barnes & Noble in downtown Washington DC, at 6:30pm.
Store address & phone number:
555 12th St NW, Washington, DC 20004, 202-347-0176

March: Book One, a 128-page softcover graphic novel. 
$14.95 print, $9.99 digital
ISBN 978-1-60309-300-2




Shop at GRUMP on Dec. 7

The GRUMP Arts & Crafts Show is this coming Saturday at Artisphere in Arlington, Va., from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. About 40 vendors will be selling wares from kids clothing made from vintage t-shirts to plush anteaters and clever holiday cards. Matt Dembicki (that's me!) will be there selling his comics (District Comics, They Came to See Me Die!, The Brewmaster's Castle, etc.). There will be a DJ and a bar. Artisphere is just 2 blocks from the Rosslyn Metro stop.

Monday, December 02, 2013

Nadel winds down PictureBox

Dan Nadel (who used to live in the D.C. area and worked at Big Planet Comics) has announced the end of PictureBox, his small press comics/art publishing venture since 2004. Read the interview with Nadel at ComicsReporter.com.

PictureBox recently published Frank Santoro's Pompeii.

Richard Thompson broke his hip yesterday

(reposted from Facebook)

Hello cartoon and comic fans. Nick Galifianakis here.

I'm trying to generate a tsunami of good thoughts for the only actual genius I know (I'm apologize to whoever else I just insulted) Richard Thompson. RT's Parkinson's has made him less stable and he took quite a tumble yesterday - he broke his hip, which is being replaced at 3 pm today.

A joint replacement will get Richard up on his feet very quickly -screwing in a pin, which was briefly considered, would mean a much much longer convalescence whereas the joint replacement means he's up and rehabbing very quickly, very important considering he's already starting out from a compromised physical position.

Surgery will be followed by about 5 days in the hospital.

Please send good thoughts his way. Now.

More later...

Sunday, December 01, 2013

Collecting Steve Canyon

Local journalist and comics fan Michael O'Connell is collecting pieces of a Steve Canyon collection originally assembled by Richard Bauman, a former Coast Guard officer. Mike tells ComicsDC he has interviewed the Bauman family and is working on a story about it. Meanwhile, he's started to post some of the Steve Canyon images on his Pinterest and Facebook pages, along with tidbits regarding how he acquired a few of the pieces.

Courtesy of Michael O'Connell