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| JICC, Embassy of Japan | 1150 18th St., NW | Suite 100 | Washington | DC | 20036 |
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Oct 30: Animezing: Wolf Children
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
'Magic Bullet' 10 submissions
The D.C. Conspiracy is accepting submissions for 'Magic Bullet' #10. There is no theme for this issue, which has a deadline of Jan. 9. Here are the guidelines and specs.
If you plan to participate, email magicbulletcomics@gmail.com.
If you plan to participate, email magicbulletcomics@gmail.com.
The Post on a 'watermelon' cartoon
Boston Herald editor pens memorable apology for 'watermelon' cartoon
By Erik Wemple
Washington Post's Erik Wemple blog October 15 2014
Comic Riffs on Ghost Rider reboot
'ALL-NEW GHOST RIDER': Felipe Smith brings creative muscle to the reborn Spirit of Vengeance
By David Betancourt
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog October 14 2014
The New Yorker on Cul de Sac
Eyeball Kicks: "The Best American Comics 2014"
BY FRANCOISE MOULY AND MINA KANEKO
OCTOBER 15 2014
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Tonight: Fantastic Forum returns to tv
6:30 PM tonight on Arlington Independent Media!
Fantastic Forum with Abigail Pritchard and 4 others at Awesome Con 2014
Rae Bates and panelists Bria LaVorgna, El Anderson and Abigail Pritchard discuss MISOGYNY IN COMICS. Featuring Devon Sanders' interview with comics writer GAIL SIMONE and Cool Toys with DJI Phantom 2 unmanned aerial vehicle!
Monday, October 13, 2014
Procopio and Galifianakis get animated at International Monetary Fund
In August, Joe told us, "One of the cool projects I got to work on was my first comic. I had the exciting opportunity to write and art direct the attached seven-page history of the IMF in comic strip form with the talented Nick Galifianakis. It is appearing in the special 70th anniversary issue of "F&D Magazine" published quarterly by the IMF. It was a thrill working so closely with my friend Nick and getting to try my hand at producing something in a medium I'm obviously passionate about. Hope you enjoy it..."
He followed that up with me recently, noting "The comic was originally printed as a feature in its quarterly magazine "Finance & Development," but it was well received and the IMF decided to print it as a stand-alone comic to distribute at its annual meetings.
The strip is at http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2014/09/procopio.htm or http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2014/09/pdf/procopio.pdf
He followed that up with me recently, noting "The comic was originally printed as a feature in its quarterly magazine "Finance & Development," but it was well received and the IMF decided to print it as a stand-alone comic to distribute at its annual meetings.
That was certainly gratifying, but it also led to another first for me: The comic has now been adapted and produced as an animated video. I got to participate in everything from auditioning and coaching voice actors to shaping the score to weighing in on the editing of rough cuts. The animators did a cool job working with my script and Nick Galifianakis' art, and it was a challenge and a pleasure for me to think about storytelling in new mediums, first in comics and then in an animated short."
See it here:
Glen Weldon on the 'death' of Wolverine
Wolverine's Death: Superheroes And The Cycle Of Eternal Return
by Arun Rath and Glen Weldon
National Public Radio's All Things Considered and Monkey See blog October 12, 2014
http://pd.npr.org/anon.npr-mp3/npr/atc/2014/10/20141012_atc_wolverines_death_superheroes_and_the_cycle_of_eternal_return.mp3 and http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=355482974
The Express on the lack of Saturday morning cartoons
TV is full of 'educational' alternatives to Saturday morning cartoons [in print as 'Innocence lost: Saturday morning cartoons, RIP]
By Marc Silver
Washington Post's Express October 13 2014
Sunday, October 12, 2014
November 15: Behind-the-Scenes of DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID
Behind-the-Scenes of DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID
November 15, 2014 at 4pm
Tickets: Free for Olney Theatre Center Members; $10 for Non-members
How do you make a mermaid swim onstage? What are Ursula's tentacles made of? Find out with the costume and set designer of THE LITTLE MERMAID at this special look at the onstage magic with the people who make it!
Big Nate at Olney Theatre today
Olney Theatre Center presents the Adventure Theatre-MTC Tour of
BIG NATE THE MUSICAL
October 10 - 12, 2014
Tickets: $10-$15 for Olney Theatre Center Members; $22 for Non-members
Nate Wright, a detention-riddled sixth grader (and drummer for the greatest garage band in the history of the galaxy, Enslave the Mollusk!) hopes to woo beautiful Jenny away from her boyfriend Artur by winning "The Nickelodeon", the first prize in his school's Battle of the Bands. But when Artur and Jenny team up with Nate's arch-rival Gina to form the sap-pop band, Rainbows and Ponies, he's gotta take his game to an all-star level. What will he do? (Recommended for ages 5 and up)
Friday, October 10, 2014
Andrew Aydin interviewed about "March'
Mississippi students learn about real-life 'superhero"
JOURNEY TO JUSTICE
Jerry Mitchell, The Clarion-LedgerOctober 9, 2014
Fantom Comics featured on NPR website last summer
Lessons From Behind The Counter At A Comic Book Store
by LIDIA JEAN KOTT
July 27, 2014
Thursday, October 09, 2014
Out and about
A few quirky, comic-y things I found around town this week.
Outside a restaurant at K and 20th streets NW
In the bathroom at Fantom Comics in Dupont Circle
On M St. between 18th and 19th streets NW
Cavna's illustrated interview with Richard Linklater, part 2 online now
Riffing with RICHARD LINKLATER: The director illuminates his brilliant 'Boyhood' [A VISUAL TALE, Part 2]
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog October 9 2014
Oct 31: Halloween at Fantom Comics
- Show Map
Rafer Roberts launches his new book, Nightmare the Rat; come for the signing, stay for all the EVENTS
While 2-5pm on Halloween is kid time at Fantom Comics (https://www.facebook.com/events/579804148808338/?ref_dashboard_filter=calendar&sid_create=3743800374), from 5-9pm Fantom is opening up to a wider, all ages audience. Think Free Comic Book Day in October!
5-9pm Rafer Roberts (of Tiger Lawyer fame) will be launching his new book at Fantom Comics! Nightmare the Rat looks scaaarrry, so he picked his day well.
5-9pm Raffles! Rafer & Raffles, we should have called this party. We'll be raffling off books and gift cards throughout the evening. And remember, like life, you can't win if you don't show up!
5-7pm The Geek Balloonist fun continues! You didn't think we were going to just let the kids have all the fun, did you?! The GB can create up to 200 different balloon designs of almost any geek-related subject you can come up with!
5-6pm The Face Painting & Henna session begun at the kids party continues on til 6pm.
6:30pm What's almost as much fun as comics? If you said "Donut Eating Contest" then you're very wise. Challenge yourself and others in the soon-to-be Olympic sport of eating a donut hanging from string with your hands behind your back. What fun!
6:30-8pm Our friends from the Molotov Theatre Group will be setting up a staged murder scene for those of you looking for the perfect holiday card picture! (we can't stress staged enough here, people). Makeup and props will be on-hand for those brave enough to insert themselves into this golden photo opportunity.
And then 9pm comes around and the Fantom After Hour party starts. Awww yeaaaahhh. Details to come tomorrow.
While 2-5pm on Halloween is kid time at Fantom Comics (https://www.facebook.com/events/579804148808338/?ref_dashboard_filter=calendar&sid_create=3743800374), from 5-9pm Fantom is opening up to a wider, all ages audience. Think Free Comic Book Day in October!
5-9pm Rafer Roberts (of Tiger Lawyer fame) will be launching his new book at Fantom Comics! Nightmare the Rat looks scaaarrry, so he picked his day well.
5-9pm Raffles! Rafer & Raffles, we should have called this party. We'll be raffling off books and gift cards throughout the evening. And remember, like life, you can't win if you don't show up!
5-7pm The Geek Balloonist fun continues! You didn't think we were going to just let the kids have all the fun, did you?! The GB can create up to 200 different balloon designs of almost any geek-related subject you can come up with!
5-6pm The Face Painting & Henna session begun at the kids party continues on til 6pm.
6:30pm What's almost as much fun as comics? If you said "Donut Eating Contest" then you're very wise. Challenge yourself and others in the soon-to-be Olympic sport of eating a donut hanging from string with your hands behind your back. What fun!
6:30-8pm Our friends from the Molotov Theatre Group will be setting up a staged murder scene for those of you looking for the perfect holiday card picture! (we can't stress staged enough here, people). Makeup and props will be on-hand for those brave enough to insert themselves into this golden photo opportunity.
And then 9pm comes around and the Fantom After Hour party starts. Awww yeaaaahhh. Details to come tomorrow.
Lincoln comic by new area resident Eleri Harris
Here's a Lincoln comic by new area resident Eleri Harris, an editor of The Nib.
Big Planet Comics and Taste of Bethesda
This Saturday, Taste of Bethesda will have our street closed. It is a wonderful event that will draw 20,000 people. We will have free comics for the kiddies.
http://www.bethesda.org/bethesda/taste-bethesda
--
Joel Pollack
BIG PLANET COMICS
4849 Cordell Ave.
Bethesda, MD 20814
http://www.bethesda.org/bethesda/taste-bethesda
--
Joel Pollack
BIG PLANET COMICS
4849 Cordell Ave.
Bethesda, MD 20814
Wednesday, October 08, 2014
Oct 23: Cartoons & Cocktails auction
Tickets NOW ON SALE through 3 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 23. Tickets will be available in the Holeman Lounge of The National Press Club thereafter.
Plan now to attend the 27th annual auction of editorial cartoons made possible through generous donations of original* cartoon art by prize-winning cartoonists.
Join us Oct. 23 in the National Press Club ballroom for an evening of food, drink and lively bidding. It's a fantastic opportunity for collectors and admirers of cartoon art to acquire new works and help good causes.
*Because some cartoonists are creating their work electronically, their C&C items vary. Some are limited-run prints with original signatures; some are original sketches accompanied by signed prints.
Monkey See blog on the Flash tv show
'The Flash' Winks At History And Keeps Its Superhero Tone Light
by LINDA HOLMES
Oct 29: Roger K. Lewis cartoon exhibit opens
Exhibition Opening Reception - 30 Years of "Shaping the City" Cartoons by Roger K. Lewis, FAIA
Wednesday, October 29, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
District Architecture Center, 421 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Price: Free. Registration required.
Register
Join AIA|DC in the SIGAL and Sorg Galleries for an engaging and entertaining exhibition of Roger K. Lewis, FAIA's cartoon collection from his "Shaping the City" column in the Washington Post. Each cartoon shares engaging and often comedic stories about changing attitudes and shifting cultures in the architectural profession and in everyday life around the Capital.
Roger K. Lewis, FAIA, is a practicing architect and urban planner; a professor emeritus of architecture at the University of Maryland, College Park; and an author and journalist.
Today: O'Barr, Komardin and Witterstaetter at Beyond Comics
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Tuesday, October 07, 2014
The Roarbots blog
The Roarbots blog is a local blog about children's interests, including comics, and has six interviews with cartoonists done by five-year old Zoe.
5 Questions with Gene Luen Yang
Jamie and Zoe
September 19, 2014
http://theroarbots.com/2014/09/19/5-questions-gene-luen-yang/
5 Questions with Mike Maihack
October 6, 2014
http://theroarbots.com/2014/10/06/5-questions-mike-maihack/
5 Questions with Jeffrey Brown
September 19, 2014
http://theroarbots.com/2014/09/19/5-questions-jeffrey-brown/
5 Questions with Frank Cammuso
October 3, 2014
http://theroarbots.com/2014/10/03/5-questions-frank-cammuso/
5 Questions with David Petersen
September 30, 2014
http://theroarbots.com/2014/09/30/5-questions-david-petersen-2/
5 Questions with Jeff Smith
September 17, 2014
http://theroarbots.com/2014/09/17/5-questions-jeff-smith/
10/8: James O'Barr at Beyond Comics
Meet JAMES O'BARR!
Creator of
Wednesday October 8th
12:00noon to 4:00pm
Frederick
Also Meet
Also Meet
Award Winning Russian Artist
Konstantin Komardin
And Comics Writer, Editor and HistorianRenee Witterstaetter
Comic Riffs talks to Scott McCloud
'BEST AMERICAN COMICS 2014′: Guest editor Scott McCloud illuminates the range of modern brilliance in new must-read [Q+A]By Michael Cavna
Washington Post October 7 2014
The Express on The Flash tv series
'The Flash' is flashy, but will it just be a flash in the pan?
By Marc Silver Washington Post's Express October 6 2014
Monday, October 06, 2014
Bruce Guthrie's SPX photos
Have we linked to Bruce Guthrie's Small Press Expo photos yet? I don't think so...
Sunday, October 05, 2014
That darn Post comics page
The Post ran 1 page of the comics twice this week. I noted it as it happened but forgot to write about it. Fortunately, Mitch Katz did not:
Letters to the Editor
Seeing double in the comics [in print as A familiar sight in the comics].
Mitch Katz, Falls Church
Washington Post October 4 2014
October 8: Otis Frampton signing Oddly Normal at Big Planet Vienna
October 8 – Otis Frampton signing Oddly Normal
Big Planet Comics is proud to welcome Otis Frampton, to celebrate his new series from Image Comics, Oddly Normal!
Oddly Normal is the tale about a young girl whose mother is a witch, making it very hard for Oddly to fit in at school! But when her own magical powers might be manifesting, things go from unpopular to dangerously bad…
Otis Frampton's website: http://www.otisframpton.com/
Otis Frampton's twitter: https://twitter.com/otisframpton
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/738039909577123/
6pm-8pm
Big Planet Comics of Vienna
426 Maple Ave. East
Vienna, VA 22180
703-242-9412
vienna@bigplanetcomics.com
Friday, October 03, 2014
Comic Riffs talks to Scott Stantis about child abuse
CARTOONS OF THE YEAR: Chicago Tribune's Scott Stantis reveals own child abuse in powerful, 'wrenching' essay [Q+A]
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog October 3 2014
Zunar in the Library of Congress
Malaysian political cartoonist Zunar released the following statement today:
Zunar's statement: Book "Pirate Of The Carry-BN" accepted in the Library Of Congress.
http://www.zunar.my/news/bm-eng-zunars-statement-book-pirate-carry-bn-accepted-library-congress/Book "Pirate Of The Carry-BN" accepted in the Library Of Congress.
I hereby announce that my book, "Pirate of The Carry-BN" has been accepted as one of the collection at the Library Of Congress in Washington. The reception was held at the Library on October 1st, 2014.
Curator Sara W Duke, who is the curator of Popular and Applied Graphic Art in the Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress, has accepted on behalf of the Library.
It will be located and catalogued in the bookshelves of the Asia Section of the library. Prior to this, there are books of mine that have been listed but only recorded in catalogues while physically not in the Library.
The "Pirate Of The Carry-BN" will be one of the more than 120,000 cartoon books in the library.
To me, this is a form of recognition since none of my cartoon books are recognized and even banned by the Malaysian government.
The 200-year old Library of Congress is the largest library in the world with a collection of over 3 million books and 33 million catalogued books.
The "Pirate Of The Carry-BN" is not available in any library in Malaysia due to the government restrictions. For the same reason, it also cannot be sold in any shop in Malaysia. This program is part of the month-long "To Fight Through Cartoon" American tour starting September 15th, 2014. During this tour, I also held a solo cartoon exhibition at an art gallery of The Crane House in Louisville.
I also gave lectures on art and journalism at the University of East Kentucky, the University of West Kentucky, Manual High School and Berea College. Also, I will be holding a forum for Malaysians in New York City and San Francisco.
In San Francisco, I will be attending as a guest of the Annual Convention of The Association of American Editorial Cartoonists for three days from October 9th, 2014.
3 Oct 2014
Zunar
Malaysian Political Cartoonist
“The Hero of Color City” and ‘Star Wars Rebels’ reviewed in The Post
'Star Wars Rebels': In visuals and in spirit, it's a new hope [in print as 'Star Wars Rebels': The Force, and fun, are back]
Hank Stuever
By Hank Stuever TV critic October 3 2014
Family Filmgoer reviews 'Gone Girl,' 'The Good Lie' and more
Green, Blue and Black are a boy's crayons who spring to life at night in about as innocent a flick as they come. (Magnolia Picture)
By Jane Horwitz October 3 2014
Oct. 9: Batman stamps
The U.S. Postal Service is launching a series of Forever stamps (49 cents) in honor of Batman's 75th anniversary. Four versions of the iconic DC Comics superhero are depicted from four eras of the comic-book character's history (Can you name the artists?). In addition, there are four incarnations of the Bat-Signal. The stamps, which will premiere at New York Comic Con next week, go on sale Oct. 9.
MISOGYNY IN COMICS on Fantastic Forum
Season 5 opens with a discussion on MISOGYNY IN COMICS. Featuring an interview with comics writer GAIL SIMONE and Cool Toys with the DJI Phantom 2 unmanned aerial vehicle. — with Gabrielle 'Bria' LaVorgna,Abigail Pritchard and El Anderson at Awesome Con.
News from Rafer Roberts on Nightmare the Rat
I plan to debut the NIGHTMARE THE RAT collection at theLocust Moon Comics Festival on October 25th in beautiful Philadelphia. It seemed like an appropriate venue since the Locust Moon folks are the guys that put out the giant LITTLE NEMO: DREAM ANOTHER DREAM book. Debuting the NIGHTMARE collection alongside DREAM ANOTHER DREAM just feels right.
On Halloween, we will be having a NIGHTMARE THE RAT release party at Fantom Comics in stately Washington DC. Details are still being finalized but there will be a signing, possibly a reading, and an actual Halloween party with candy and dancing. I will be in a costume of some sort.
Finally, I'll be at New York Comic Con next week. It will be far too early to have copies of the collection available, but I will have finished commissions for those of you who pledged at that level (and who let me know that you'll also be at NYCC). I won't have my own table, but I will be doing signings at a few different publisher booths throughout the weekend. I may add one or two signings, but here is my schedule as it stands right now:
Thursday:
4:30-5:30 signing at Valiant, booth 2028
Friday:
3:15-4:00 Kickstarter Office Hours panel - 1A24
4:30-5:30 signing at Valiant, booth 2028
Saturday:
12:00-1 signing at Valiant, booth 2028
Sunday:
11-12:30 signing at ComixTribe, booth 1172
1:30-2:30 signing at Valiant, booth 2028
Oct 4: Greg Pak at Fantom Comics
Oct 4 @ 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Greg Pak Signing!
Award-winning comics writer Greg Pak is back at Fantom for another signing, and WE. ARE. PUMPED!
From DC's Batman/Superman and Action Comics, to Marvel's Storm, Planet Hulk, Magneto Testament, Red Skull Incarnate, and Dynamite's Turok, chances are good that if you're reading an awesome book, Mr. Pak's name is all over it.
Mr. Pak will be here in-store from 2:30pm to 4pm and we'll have copies of some of his current work available for sale, so swing on by!
Via Convention Scene which also notes he'll be showing a short film later that evening.
Thursday, October 02, 2014
Smithsonian Magazine on Wonder Woman
The Surprising Origin Story of Wonder Woman
The history of the comic-book superhero's creation seven decades ago has been hidden away—until now
By Jill Lepore
Smithsonian Magazine October 2014
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/origin-story-wonder-woman-180952710/?all&no-ist
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/origin-story-wonder-woman-180952710/?all&no-ist
Today's Unshelved done for Fairfax County Library
Unshelved is an entertaining web strip about a small staff of cranky librarians. I get it emailed to me every day, for free, which is cool. Then I buy their book collections.
Click here to see the strip of which the authors write:
I drew today's strip the old-fashioned way, on paper with pencil and ink. And I did it on the shores of Lake Michigan in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Honestly, it was pretty darned scenic. We wrote it for today's staff development day for the Fairfax County, VA Public Library. We looked over several dozen submissions and chose a great story from Randy Falkofske, presenting the library with the original art, and Randy a signed print.
We had a great time today and we'd love to do something similar for your library, conference, or customer event!
Caricaturist John Kascht
Caricaturist John Kascht interviewed his old friend Richard Thompson in the forthcoming book The Art of Richard Thompson. A couple of pieces have recently appeared online about his Washington connections.
From the SPD Archives: John Kascht at The Washington Times, 1988-91
by Linda Rubes
10.02.14
This second one talks about his work being collected by the National Portrait Gallery -
BIG INTERVIEW - JOHN KASCHT
July 2014
WTOP on "The end of Saturday morning cartoons"
The end of Saturday morning cartoons
WTOP October 1 2014
Wednesday, October 01, 2014
Keeling on 'Student Exposure'
"Student Exposure" interviews Evan Keeling about the D.C.
Conspiracy, Dr. Dremo, Magic Bullet and self-publishing. Click on photo to see the video.
Comic Riffs on watermelon-toothpaste
Obama watermelon-toothpaste controversy: Apologetic Boston Herald cartoonist says, 'I detest' racist humor
By Michael Cavna Washington Post Comic Riffs blog October 1 2014
Q&A: Rodriguez on 'Colonial Comics'
by Matt Dembicki
D.C. Conspiracy member Jason Rodriguez has edited a new comics anthology called Colonial Comics (Fulcrum Publishing) that debuts this weekend at the Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo in Boston. Below are a few questions Jason answered for us regarding his book. (Note: In full disclosure, I illustrated one of the stories in the book.)
What was your mission statement for the book?
I want to create a book that functions as both entertainment and education. The main idea is to tell stories that you often don't find in school history books that can, in turn, lead into larger discussions about colonial American history. When I was growing up, my knowledge of colonial American history was essentially: 1) some people came over here for religious freedom, they wore funny hats, 2) they met this one Native American...not sure what happened to him, 3) something about burning witches, and 4) we went to war with England. What I want to do is fill in those gaps and tell stories about the Native Americans and women and free-thinkers and slaves and business owners who came from the Colonies and give a better understanding of what life was like over our first 200+ years, the good and the bad.
I want to create a book that functions as both entertainment and education. The main idea is to tell stories that you often don't find in school history books that can, in turn, lead into larger discussions about colonial American history. When I was growing up, my knowledge of colonial American history was essentially: 1) some people came over here for religious freedom, they wore funny hats, 2) they met this one Native American...not sure what happened to him, 3) something about burning witches, and 4) we went to war with England. What I want to do is fill in those gaps and tell stories about the Native Americans and women and free-thinkers and slaves and business owners who came from the Colonies and give a better understanding of what life was like over our first 200+ years, the good and the bad.
How did you find collaborators, such as co-editors, writers and artists?
I reached out to a bunch of historians, first. That was always an interesting conversation. Writing Dr. Virginia DeJohn Anderson and telling her, "I really loved CREATURES OF EMPIRE, have you ever considered writing a comics story about free-range animal husbandry suitable for twelve year olds?" Of course the answer was, "No, I never thought of that." But over the course of several conversations we figured out what that story would look like, and then I found the right illustrator to bring it to life. As for a lot of the other creators, I reached out to folks from the DC Conspiracy and Locust Moon crews. The best resource I came across was the Boston Comics Roundtable - they are essentially the DC Conspiracy of Boston and consist of many different incredible cartoonists and writers. It was there that I found a lot of my contributors, people I've never worked with before, along with one of my assistant editors John Bell. I talked to John once and offered him the job, he was an amazing resource in this.
Probably working with people who never worked in comics before. There's a big difference between writing a history book and writing a comic script. We just needed small pieces of bigger stories and we needed to fit them into easy-to-read, 11-page comics stories. Schedules were difficult, as well - a lot of people taught and just simply didn't have the time to contribute on the level that would move the book along at a good pace. Also, I designed every page of the book and it turns out I'm a bit of a tinkerer. Two months before deadline I took the whole book part and rebuilt it with new intros, interstitials, book guides, and a reference section. I wouldn't say I'm my own worse enemy, but it turns out I'm definitely my own worst editor.
How can Colonial Comics be used as a teaching tool?
It contextualizes history, plain and simple. When we were kids we loved the dioramas at history museums. A handful of cavemen taking down a Wooly Mammoth, we could stare at it for hours on end and build a story out of it. From there, we began to get interested in the details of the clothes and the weapons and the process of hunting. Comics afford kids that same luxury - they can study a panel, see what people were wearing and how they spoke. Get a sense of scale. All the while reading an entertaining narrative. From there, they may become interested in the details. The free-range animal husbandry story (which was illustrated by Mike Sgier) is a silent story about a troublesome pig who keeps eating Native crops. We see the escalation of destruction that eventually leads to Native American's packing up and moving westward. The story behind the story, and beyond the story, is where the real teaching comes in.
It contextualizes history, plain and simple. When we were kids we loved the dioramas at history museums. A handful of cavemen taking down a Wooly Mammoth, we could stare at it for hours on end and build a story out of it. From there, we began to get interested in the details of the clothes and the weapons and the process of hunting. Comics afford kids that same luxury - they can study a panel, see what people were wearing and how they spoke. Get a sense of scale. All the while reading an entertaining narrative. From there, they may become interested in the details. The free-range animal husbandry story (which was illustrated by Mike Sgier) is a silent story about a troublesome pig who keeps eating Native crops. We see the escalation of destruction that eventually leads to Native American's packing up and moving westward. The story behind the story, and beyond the story, is where the real teaching comes in.
These comics can be used as a hook to get kids interested in history. Kind of like tricking them into learning a thing, and giving them several samples of topics to see what they're most interested in.
What are your future plans? Is this part of a series?
I have two more Colonial books coming out, one focusing on pre-Revolutionary New England and one focusing on Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region. I would like to do more, but let's see how these are received, first. The other history book I'm editing is a student's memoirs about growing up in war-torn Sarajevo, but that won't come out until 2016 or so, most likely.
I have two more Colonial books coming out, one focusing on pre-Revolutionary New England and one focusing on Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region. I would like to do more, but let's see how these are received, first. The other history book I'm editing is a student's memoirs about growing up in war-torn Sarajevo, but that won't come out until 2016 or so, most likely.
Beyond history comics I'm also working with AAAS to do a science and science fiction comics gallery show and comics creation workshop, with the idea being to team kids up with scientists, writers, and illustrators to help them understand how science fact turns into science fiction and then mentor them in the creation of their own comics. We're still in the planning phases for this program and it will be starting some time next year.
Below are a few images from the book that Jason gave us to share with our readers.
Rafer Roberts interview online
[Baltimore Comic-Con 2014] The Rafer Roberts & Nightmare the Rat Interview
BY: ALEX LUPP - OCTOBER 1ST, 2014
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