Assembled Extra: Farewell To Tim Hodler At TCJ.com
The longtime co-editor at TCJ on-line iteration announced his last day on Friday. I wish him the best of luck in everything that he wants to do with that extra time and energy, and thank him for how I and other comics fans benefited from his presence at the Journal.
I was not someone who particularly recognized the version of the magazine immediately preceding Hodler and longtime friend and professional colleague Dan Nadel moving their Comics Comics take on things to Gary Groth's big top. Hodler and Nadel and later Tucker Stone, who remains at the publication, did some things better than anyone in the Journal editorial tree: I admire greatly the seriousness with which older comics and cartoonists were engaged even as direct fun of that tendency was made. There being a place for Underground-era cartoonists to open up as members of their generation faded into obscurity and even oblivion is a valuable historical contribution I hope will be saved for posterity. Although I don't think it's the first thing younger cartoonists think of of any Journal iteration, I learned new cartoonists and read new writers there all of the time. Whatever contribution Tim made to the site's "Diary" feature earns him an extra gold star.
Comics By Request: People, Projects In Need Of Funding By Tom Spurgeon
* I think it was Annie Koyama that I saw mention that Dustin Harbin is still $18K or so short of his goal in terms of having the money to fix his face. That would be an alarming amount facing Harbin if he hadn't already cleared another $55K, and there's no reason one figure will take care of the other one.
* this project involves Karl Kesel. It's not a rarity for cartoonists with that kind of pedigree to show up on a crowd-funding site, but it has yet to become super-common.
* congrats on the latest issue of LAAB reaching its halfway point. I'd give Ronald all the money if I could, just to do whatever, and this one has a one-issue pedigree now.
Random Comics News Story Round-Up * this editorial by Gary Varvel is full of practical wisdom about the recent plight of editorial cartoon step-backs, plus it name drops my old boss Harold Trulock in the first paragraph. Mr. Trulock was the kindest man with the best eyebrows and gave my favorite retirement speech ever: "I was too easy on you sons of bitches."
* as for the issue in general, what with Michael De Adder and The Nib joining the taking-a-sock-in-the-eye club, there's a billion things I can say on this subject but the first one is I've never learned of anyone saving a cultural object or something of similar value by eliminating what's unique about it. I don't think it's going to work in any of the recent cases, either. I also worry that everyone is aware of this already. Here's the latest de Adder stuff, looks like it's one of the nebulous thing that no one can say for 100 percent certainty it cause. Sure doesn't sound like De Adder had a lot of support in general. Again, let me suggest that a struggling enterprise like print journalism and print-model journalism on-line needs things that challenge, needs things that make it unique
* too bad a client took a pass on this cartoon in a public way, which I think a much less interesting and strident, performance-like act than firing someone -- no is hired anymore, so they can't get fired. I think people are rarely honest they'd be okay with certain strongly-constructed cartoon if their person was getting that criticism, but in this case it's hard for me at least to see that there's anything out of bounds. Strong, though.
* here's a piece on the big Hamilton museum comics exhibit for which Joe Ollmann served as co-curator. Sounds like a great survey of works. The notion of a museum exhibit playing a major role in the question of a medium's legitimacy is a very previous-generation one, when you think about it. I think comics is the best art form by several measurable, and I prefer to engage with more of that art form than any other.
* finally: a longish interview with the late Kim Thompson just popped up at one of the video sites. Still hard to believe he's not at the office somewhere, working.
Here’s That Letter From Matt Bors About First Look Media’s NIB Decision And Its Future Here. You can look elsewhere on this page to subscribe to the publication under its new situation, and I hope you'll consider it.
Assembled, Zipped, Transferred And Downloaded: News From Digital By Tom Spurgeon
* Samantha Puc recommends a comic post on-line distribution and pre graphic novel collection.
* I don't really understand how a comics streaming service without the major mainstream publishers would work right now. It's not a specific content or content-category thing, I just don't know how many fans there are of comics than exclude large chunks of them and still be satisfied with access to them. I just don't detect an audience for some but not all the comics anywhere out there.
Random Comics News Story Round-Up * by request extra: putting out a comics call for a convalescing brother. When I was sick in 2011, that kind man Jeff Smith sent me a bunch of his research comics for that Shazam mini-series and I was so touched I will remain so until the end of my life. There was even one with Tawky Tawny.
* I do think as stated yesterday that we're in a modest collapse period with comics right now rather than an adjustment period or a period with unintended consequences. This isn't something I'd argue in the particulars, because you can shift the definitions slightly and come up with a different conclusion. All I mean is that it strikes me that there are enough things going away that enough people would prefer not to go away that it characterizes the moment, with a concurrent loss in status and reward for artists involved they'd perhaps rather not have. I am concerned for some cultural loss but mostly for people whose livelihoods feel the impact of the changes.
* finally: here's a piece from Abraham Risman on KC Green grappling with how to make a meme taken and used by others his own thing again, with attendant recognition and profit.
The Never-Ending, Four-Color Festival: Shows And Events
By Tom Spurgeon
* I can't really list events that are taking place at a wider comic show, because that way lies madness, but I will note that the great Peter Bagge has been hitting conventions hard this year as a promotional structure for his latest work. Bagge's a great con guest, so you should see him if you can.
* I developed a hitch in my linking step a couple of weeks ago -- after so much progress! -- that led me not to list the opening for "This Is Serious" in Hamilton, Ontario. No one on planet earth attends a museum show in a non-US country solely because they read about it on this site, but certainly people not attending will hear about it on the site and tale mate of it and expand the on-line awareness of what I'm told is a fine exhibition. You should make a point to attend during its run if you can, and it'd be swell they could travel the show a bit, at least to the western half of Canada. Sorry, Joe.
* this year's 25 tips for Comic-Con International post can be found here. If I could boil it down to one piece of advice I'd orient yourself to doing one thing in the AM and one thing in the PM for the entire show and commit. Also, just have fun and give yourself extra time to get places. Everything else is just fussing after an improved experience, and you don't get there by fussing.
* finally, I don't suggest that Comic-Con isn't a comics show, because they are, with some significant strengths, when I say that the point of the spear right now for that event in a lot of ways is toys, even over movies.
Random Comics News Story Round-Up * Dominic Umile on Bicycle Day. Brian Selznick pens a significantly large article on Clyde Fans for the New York Times.
* here's a list of the best comics of the year 2019 so far. This is one of those lists that's so broad that it's hard to detect any kind of guiding philosophy or set of standards, which I suppose is a big part of the point. It's an informed list book to book, though, which for the "find things I might like" function of such a list is certainly a useful way to cast one's nets far and wide.
This Isn’t A Library: New, Notable Releases Into Comics’ Direct Market
*****
Here are the books that make an impression on me staring at this week's no-doubt largely accurate list of books shipping from Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. to comic book and hobby shops across North America.
I might not buy all of the works listed here. I might not buy any. You never know. I'd sure look at the following, though.
*****
APR190900 X-MEN GRAND DESIGN X-TINCTION #2 (OF 2) $5.99 APR190901 X-MEN GRAND DESIGN X-TINCTION #2 (OF 2) PISKOR VAR $5.99
Congratulations to Ed Piskor on what I believe is the last comic in his lengthy run of X-Men comics. I thought one thing these comics did is show off how strong the basic character designs were in most the title's various important runs of books. I look forward to what Ed does next, that was really interesting in a way it didn't have to be.
APR190146 HEAD LOPPER #12 CVR A MACLEAN $5.99 APR190147 HEAD LOPPER #12 CVR B ALLISON $5.99
I'm a great fan of the Head Lopper, a combination of alt-animation fantasy show execution of Hellboy-style monster comics. I like the energy it builds within its narratives, which isn't something that looks like this even has to do to be successful. It's also the kind of comic that I think is hurt by the nature of the market, with its point-to "you have to buy this" mechanisms which don't sustain themselves past an issue or two.
FEB190342 USAGI YOJIMBO TP VOL 33 HIDDEN $17.99
Thirty-three volumes? I've read them all, and will do so until a ghost appears that slaps them from my hands.
DEC180793 DIABOLICAL SUMMER HC $24.99
This nostalgic-looking piece about spy culture of the 1960s looks fun, although there are dangers in crafting a narrative out of such well-worn idea. Still: pretty.
APR190976 NOT BRAND ECHH COMPLETE COLLECTION TP $39.99
One thing that frequently confuses me about mainstream-company collection projects is that you can usually with a little effort find the actual comics, sometimes for even less than the resulting book. I get that there are fans that see the collections as the far more desirable final outcome, though, for sure. Not a huge fan of these comics, but there are definitely added historical points to enjoy about the company's self-conception and about the role of parody in building a brand more generally.
MAY191704 HAWKING HC GN $29.99
Count Jim Ottaviani among those -- I believe this is true -- to have two major releases out this year. I always like what Jim does to his stringently non-fiction material, and I have some curiosity about Hawking himself that I wouldn't mind seeing engaged in comics form.
MAY191306 ROUGH AGE GN $12.00
This is Max De Rodrigues, and nostalgic comics using that art style sounds interesting enough for me to lean over the book when it's on the shelf.
APR191606 TELLING STORIES CLASSIC COMIC ART OF FRANK FRAZETTA DLX HC $49.95 FEB191982 WINSOR MCCAY THE COMPLETE LITTLE NEMO HC VOL 02 1910 -1927 $80.00 APR192162 20TH CENTURY BOYS TP VOL 04 PERFECT ED URASAWA $19.99
You want all of this material in your collection, how and which versions is the shopping fun part of it. I no longer buy every Frazetta art book that isn't beyond my ability to purchase one, but I will need at some point a representative early collection. I'm not wild about stripping a logo across the art, but maybe that's just me.
APR191712 BTTM FDRS HC (MR) $24.99
I like reading comics from creators I suspect may be making them when I've been dead a while, and I hope that's true of the talented pair Ben Passmore and Ezra Claytan Daniels. See them if they come to a show near you. Fantagraphics is putting together a potentially interesting under-40 core.
*****
The full list of this week's releases, including some titles with multiple cover variations and a long, impressive list of toys and other stuff that isn't comics, can be found here. Despite this official list there's no guarantee a comic will show up in the stores as promised, or in all of the stores as opposed to just a few. Also, stores choose what they carry and don't carry so your shop may not carry a specific publication. There are a lot of comics out there.
To find your local comic book store, check this list; and for one I can personally recommend because I've shopped there, albeit a while back, try this.
The above titles are listed with their Diamond order code in the first field, which may assist you in finding comics at your shop or having them order something for you they don't have in-stock. Ordering through a direct market shop can be a frustrating experience, so if you have a direct line to something -- you know another shop has it, you know a bookstore has it -- I'd urge you to consider all of your options.
If I failed to list your comic, that's because I hate you.
Random Comics News Story Round-Up * Chris Kuzman steps into the "A Cartoonist's Diary" spotlight over at TCJ.com. That's a swell feature.
* the primary discussion about kids in camps should be 99.999 percent about getting these kids the fuck out of those camps, but part of the rest of it might be a discussion of the new George Takei inspired and co-created comics work regarding his own childhood experience regarding internment camps. The material could illuminate the historical tendencies involved; it's also a publishing quandary as to how you make use of a news story without crossing over into exploiting it. Those kids have enough of a burden already.
* by request extra: that nice man and interesting cartoonist Carl Antonowicz has expressed an interest in getting his Patreon over that first $100/month milestone that a lot of cartoonists seek. You could check him out and see if what he's up to is up your alley.
Comics By Request: People, Projects In Need Of Funding By Tom Spurgeon
* Dustin Harbin's smashed-face gofundme is beginning to seriously stall out at $55K of a $75K two-step ask. That's great that Dustin has received the help, and I hope he'll continue to move towards his goal. He's a nice man, a good artist, and that's a lousy circumstance. Please consider giving. As popular as Dustin is, that might establish an upper end for such asks in the future. I think there will also be some exploring of the subjects raised by the entire enterprise.
* I like the looks of this project with drawings of NYC, and others have, too. That seems to me a sizable ask for a single-volume book -- that's a number I'd affiliate with a series of books or an entire season -- but I don't know the ins-and-outs of publishing that well to make any sort of definitive statement there. People charge what they feel they can charge, and the core ask looks to be a $120 book. That doesn't seem like a lot of money lost between the lines. It's an art, deciding to support these things. I don't even know if the size of ask matters to people or not. I hope that money is spent well, and efficiently, but there are a lot of ways to do that.
Random Comics News Story Round-Up * Timothy Donohoo's review of the new early-in-his-life Superman comic from Frank Miller and John Romita Jr. compares it to the Zack Snyder films in several places. It sounds like a good comic compared to those films, but I found those films slipshod, unpleasant and uniquely horrible, so for me just about anything else would look good. What I don't see in any of the reviews is any sort of general take that breaks with past ones or places the character within the context of a specific time. I don't need to see this story again unless it's really, really interesting and/or magnificently executed.
* I fear for comics playing in an era of the entertainment business with such massive success and debilitating disappointments. I can't tell how much of this is natural progression for art businesses and how much is the industries leaping at a specific model. It seems that in an era where an imprint shows its values over and over that can be repositioned for a greater, more sudden gain. I hope it's not as dire as potential scenarios I see playing out in my mind.
FFF Results Post #522—Sports Heroes
On Friday, CR readers were asked to "Name Five Characters In Comics That Have Been Or Continue To Be Successful Athletes And Their Sport Of Choice.
* you occasionally see one of these about altering material in a superhero comic book, but I can't recall seeing a bunch of them like this one where there's a discrepancy between digital and print content. I would image like a pair of the commenters that recent falls at the Grand Canyon caused the change.
* so I guess John Byrne is going to put a fan-fiction X-Men comic that at one point looked like it may be published by Marvel on pages of his web site. Okay. Late-period John Byrne is going to be run to read about someday.
* finally: an old webcomic springs to retro-viewing life. The webcomics landscape in my head is 97 percent lost efforts.
The Never-Ending, Four-Color Festival: Shows And Events
By Tom Spurgeon
* I will end use of the photo pictured above by end of year. I like the photo because while it just looks like a mess of people there are actually several recognizable stalwarts of the peak-at-2012-or-so era of SPXers. I wish there were someone doing archiving of the scene like that -- an SPX book like Jackie Estrada SDCC photo books would be kind of amazing. I also like that one of the people in this photo is Chris Oarr, a key early figure who is not of the era depicted.
Random Comics News Story Round-Up
* I'll be talking about CXC 2019 tonight. If you're in Columbus, please come join me. My public speaking has been iffy for about a year, so I may turn green and fall over and this could be way more exciting than usual as a result. Probably not, though. We have a fun list.
Bundled, Tossed, Untied And Stacked: Publishing News By Tom Spurgeon
* I don't pay a ton of attention to PR efforts, but it seems like the Jonathan Hickman-directed X-Men re-launch has been successful in alerting the core audience about the noteworthiness of the new titles. That's a lot of the initial battle these days, with the audience reduced and kind of restless and ready to be told what to buy.
* speaking of things I don't have, I also don'td have a taste for the inner mechanics of today's comics publishers, but I've had two different people point towards internal pressure at DC between traditional forms and all of the books they've agreed to over the last two years as something that will come to a head. Batman is still undefeated as of this morning's blog post, but I could see that changing. Why not?
* finally, the creators working with, around and as writer Bendis are taking a shot at the Legion Of Super-Heroes concept. That seems like one of the super-strong, hard to beat concepts, the "teenage superheroes from the future" one, but DC has always had a hangup about adhering to stories past their expiration date.
Go, Listen: Robert Kirkman, Brian Bendis Explore Kirkman Manifesto With John Siuntres
I suspect it's healthy to explore the manifestos and declarations of the past, both the aesthetic ones and the ones based on economic self-determination.
Random Comics News Story Round-Up * Tegan O'Neil on Lorna.
* I think it's always good when successful people within comics choose to give back through their support of its charitable efforts, and I like David Steinberg, so this strikes me as an overall good. A significant criticism of Amazon more generally is that those that work for the company and its various divisions do not routinely participate that way.
* that's a funny cartoon by KAL, but it doesn't seem like something you'd invest with a lot of weight unless you're already inclined to be on one team or the other. The idea that political functionaries get a free pass on the uglier parts of what they're saying when the core parts of those jobs seem in question strikes me as very right now.
* finally, I have a reader suggesting via e-mail that artist Robb Phipps died two days ago. I am unable to confirm or deny, although that would be an odd thing about which to tell an untruth. Any condolences that might apply we share.
Comics By Request: People, Projects In Need Of Funding By Tom Spurgeon
* a lot of charitable work or cartoonists involved with that kind of work at Charlotte's Heroes Con over the weekend.
* Team Cul De Sac reports a successful Friday night art auction on behalf of Parkinson's, and notes that next year will see a mix of personal and professional anniversaries that should make the auction a bigger deal than usual.
* most of the traditional comics charities were well-represented, like the CBLDF. Summer is a great time to do some general giving of the funds if you have them.
* folks were curious to see Dustin Harbin, he of the smashed face and the high-profile friends and allies list. They're at about $55K with those efforts, and it looked like Dustin was having a nice weekend sales-wise. I was relieved to see him; he adds a lot to the general comics culture.
* DD Degg takes an informed walk through various reactions to the Times' decision to rid all editions of editorial cartoonists because of blowback from a freelancer's cartoon that made it into their paper in a way that brought with it some expressed regret. I firmly believe in comics as a powerful journalistic tool, I just wish there were more rigorous, exciting examples to toss out there. There also some statements that seem to want to re-argue Hebdo, or at least nod in the direction of its aftermath's affront to comics' received wisdom, if only from a no-respect angle. This, of course, is a terrible idea.
* finally: wow. That Patrick Dean is making art like this despite his recent ALS-related physical decline is awesome and inspiring. I hope it got a fine bid.
Random Comics News Story Round-Up * a collection of Al Burian's Burn Collectorgets Tim Kreider thinking about 'zines. Also, how the heck did Kreider miss Burian in his '90s heyday?
* RC Harvey on Eric Stanton. RC was one of the big writers about comics when I worked at TCJ, and whatever holds his interest I want to hear his thoughts.
* Royston Robertson is a great cartoonist name, and a small show at a pub is an even greater cartoonist thing to do.
* by request extra: Dustin Harbin is just over $53K pledged on his face-smash ask, about a week in to his crowdfunding campaign. It seems to me slowing, but one or two sizable gifts pushes him within shouting distances of his goal, and that's not chicken scratch.
* I'll be in Charlotte. I will be very quiet. I hope you'll say hi.
* Mark Evanier and Sergio Aragones apparently won't be in Charlotte, as they had planned, at least on Friday. The culprit: a rolling wave of shortages at American Airlines concerning a certain plane that has been difficult to use. One person told me today this could have a ripple effect all summer, although I must admit I am quite ignorant of effects on our travel infrastructure. They are trying to rally for Saturday and Sunday and will likely keep best track at the top of the blog used here.
Random Comics News Story Round-Up
* not comics: sorry, I don't find a bunch of customers clamoring for product that best suits them interesting or admirable in any way. If there's a film out there from which someone can make money, it will likely be released. I don't think much of any of those weird, dour, dumb films and think the one that's supposedly compromised felt exactly like the others only with fewer crotch shots of Wonder Woman. It does feel like some of the cultural context here is about super-macho, violent-boys art winning the day, and comics proper has had enough of those notions to last a lifetime. Good night, Martha. You'll have your day when someone feels like cashing that check.
* Heidi MacDonald has a round-up of links with reaction to the NYT dropping its cartoon-making. It's interesting to me that some of the pushback is about humor and expression, which are values, sure, but to my mind in this case supplementary to enabling direct journalistic virtues of truth-telling. Comics can be really powerful when it comes to understanding things both as an exploratory tool and a contextual one. It's a shame to not have that if you can, and I prefer engagement and correction for a tool poorly used than abandonment. Easy for me to say, though, in application these are very delicate issues pressed up against even more delicate ones, wine glasses packed in lightbulbs; it's an exceedingly difficult thing.
Infowars Settles With Matt Furie Over Pepe The Frog Here. That seems like a decent summary of the case recently settled and the larger set of actions by cartoonist Matt Furie and his lawyers, all of which seemed to follow the same, rough plan: 1) assert the artist's right to license the character; 2) do not give the offending person a license; 3) have any monies made turned over. The idea that these uses were satirical in nature because those using the character proclaimed this to be so just didn't fly given the clear, commercial concerns involved.
Hopefully, the character lives in peace -- or stays at rest, having been killed as a response to some of the use early on. What an amazingly hyper-annoying thing for Furie to have to endure, and I'm glad the moves against the appropriating agents became more aggressive as the use continued.
This Isn’t A Library: New, Notable Releases Into Comics’ Direct Market
*****
Here are the books that make an impression on me staring at this week's no-doubt largely accurate list of books shipping from Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. to comic book and hobby shops across North America.
I might not buy all of the works listed here. I might not buy any. You never know. I'd sure look at the following, though.
*****
MAR191745 ANGOLA JANGA HC $39.99
D'Salete's previous book with Fantagraphics was lovely and the stories worked just out of step with more standard slave-narrative approaches to provide unique energy. I look forward to this new volume.
FEB190752 PENNY NICHOLS GN $19.99
MK Reed and Matt Wiegle is a formidable pairing, enough I'd certainly check out this volume in the shop.
MAR191177 BOYS OMNIBUS TP VOL 02 (MR) $29.99 MAR198811 BOYS OMNIBUS TP VOL 02 PHOTO CVR ED (MR) $29.99
It makes sense that there would be reprinting of the Boys material with the show coming out; it's not a bunch of comics I read at the time, which makes me wonder if there's a potential audience of people just catching up.
FEB190268 UMBRELLA ACADEMY HOTEL OBLIVION #7 CVR A BA $3.99 FEB190269 UMBRELLA ACADEMY HOTEL OBLIVION #7 CVR B BA $3.99
It also makes sense that there'd be more Umbrella Academy coming out, although apparently its film/TV version is going to be a long while.
APR190145 GUNNING FOR HITS #6 (MR) $3.99
This is the only comic-book format comic I pulled from this week's pile of same. I hope this is the beginning of a long run where Moritat marches through very genres, giving them a whirl. I think there are a lot of different kinds of artist in him.
DEC180406 ART OF TMNT HC $39.99
Sure. I don't know what this book entails, but I like the idea of it for a flip-through.
OCT180558 BATMAN THE GOLDEN AGE OMNIBUS HC VOL 07 $125.00
Similarly, I think may be past the age where I'm going to read everything and a likely casualty for my reading is Golden Age superhero material. I like the idea of it, though, and there were some fun artists on those characters back then.
AUG180824 BERKELEY BREATHED BLOOM COUNTY ARTIST ED HC $150.00
It's a Scott Dunbier + Scott Dunbier pet project team-up: his restoration of Berke Breathed's work for a current audience and his magnificent Artist's Edition. I have no idea what Breathed's work will look like in this format, but I'm interested in learning.
*****
The full list of this week's releases, including some titles with multiple cover variations and a long, impressive list of toys and other stuff that isn't comics, can be found here. Despite this official list there's no guarantee a comic will show up in the stores as promised, or in all of the stores as opposed to just a few. Also, stores choose what they carry and don't carry so your shop may not carry a specific publication. There are a lot of comics out there.
To find your local comic book store, check this list; and for one I can personally recommend because I've shopped there, albeit a while back, try this.
The above titles are listed with their Diamond order code in the first field, which may assist you in finding comics at your shop or having them order something for you they don't have in-stock. Ordering through a direct market shop can be a frustrating experience, so if you have a direct line to something -- you know another shop has it, you know a bookstore has it -- I'd urge you to consider all of your options.
If I failed to list your comic, that's because I hate you.
* the New York Timeshas cut the political cartoonists it's been using in its international edition, because of a cartoon run by the publication from someone not one of those two cartoonists, a cartoon that was charged with sloppy anti-Semitism -- a point, incidentally, no one's cared to argue. My brain would explode if the poor performance of a supervisor supervising another person that made bad choices cost me my job. I hope that there is work out there to replace the work lost by those cartoonist. As far as not having cartooning, that's its own punishment -- cartoonishly a powerful tool and I'm not certain why in this day and age with so much riding on coverage you'd want to deny yourself that form of communication.
* by request extra: Dustin Harbin updates his smashed-face fundraiser here. That's slowed down considerably after the weekend, but that makes sense in terms of the news on something like that getting out pretty immediately now. I'm glad to hear he's healing up.
Bundled, Tossed, Untied And Stacked: Publishing News
By Tom Spurgeon
* there will be a tribute publication at San Diego Con's Exhibit A Press booth featuring the late cartoonist and all-time gentleman of comics, Batton Lash. It's been a while since I had a definitive first stop at the show, but it looks like I have one this year.
* I'm seeing graphic novels on the new books list from Naval Institute Press. September brings us an English-language translation of Once Upon A Time In France from Fabien Nury and Sylvain Vallée. That's a massive 368-page softcover for $29.95. ISBN is 9781682474716. In October comes Smedley from Pennsylvania's Jeff McComsey. That's 176 pages, $26.95 findable through ISBN number 9781682472767 about an ex-marine running for the Senate in 1932. I don't see proper publishes links for these, but I'm certain they're coming.
* another small publisher with the occasional comics offering is Haymarket Books. their latest catalog lists Missing Daddy by Mariame Kaba and bria royal; it's about the absence a young girl feels for her father in prison. royal is the artist. That comes out in early September for $16.95. It's a hardcover and the ISBN is 9781642590364.
* here's Matthew Surridge on Robert Crumb, using as its springboard Brian Doherty's recent piece on Crumb and PC culture. Robert Crumb isn't my favorite cartoonist, I have never in my life sought out a Robert Crumb comic, but he doesn't seem all that vexing to me, either. I think he's funny except when he's not. He's an interesting artist both in the drawings themselves -- what he chooses to draw and how -- and in the constellation of reactions to his work. I think he can be a remarkably clumsy and self-indulgent satirist, but that his aims with satire are consistent and exist on a parseable continuity. I think the sketchbooks are his great contribution, supported by what gets revealed in the autobiographical material, much of it ugly and dismaying. I think his critics come from a place of greater virtue than many of his hardcore fans -- that we hear about the size of his penis is a sign of what's being processed there on frequent occasion. I distrust the idea that art necessitates endorsement, on just about any level, but there are a billion ways to approach art and the majority aren't my own. I'm more a reviewer than a critic, but if I did have better tools, I suspect that Crumb may be more effectively understood as the author of a certain kind of self-perception rather than someone engaged with interpreting reality as received. He's Salinger, not Vonnegut. And of course my ability to engage with Crumb at all is shaped by my tremendous privilege. I can't blame anyone for checking out on art whose ideas are intentionally upsetting, even dehumanizing. It may be a moral failure of mine that I can stick around this long. I don't get the idea of his being censored.
Comics By Request: People, Projects In Need Of Funding By Tom Spurgeon
* Dustin Harbin's crowdfunding campaign on behalf of his smashed face should have pushed past $50K by the time you read this. That is a nice group of contributors. The final result is going to be interesting to some folks that believe a cause like Dustin's will provide a number near a maximal give for the community right at this moment that is not incentive oriented.
* finally, I'm not familiar with Sashiko Yuen, and I'm not sure if this is properly a comics or an illustration ask, but the material has an undeniable visual component.
Random Comics News Story Round-Up * I appreciate this Borys Kit profile of longtime X-Men writer Chris Claremont for recognizing the comics context in which he works and not feeling he had to justify his place in that context. Also: a John Belushi story.
* this story of a Chinese dissident cartoonist revealing their identity to the BBC intrigues. The suppression and general haranguing of cartoonists in multiple Asian markets over the last decade is one of the crucial, slow-burning stories.
Go, Read: Catching Up With Atlas Comics Expert Dr. Michael J. Vassallo
Hi, I switched primary computers and one of the things on which this had an effect is my link searching. I left out the Timely-Atlas-Comics blog run by Dr. Michael J. Vassallo. My apologies. Let's catch up!
Here are links to the three latest.
*****
A lengthy look at the Harold Teen newspaper strip:
*****
An examination into work done by Timely-era humor specialist Vince Fago:
*****
A massive piece on Timely-era Stan Lee. Literally a book's worth of writing and images in length.
By Request Extra: Dustin Harbin Expands GoFundMe Campaign To Encompass Other Bills Owed Here. After a successful day of clearing an amount in crowdfunding at least $5000 over the initial ask, cartoonist Dustin Harbin has expanded an initial request for funds to help face reconstruction to a wider selection of monies owed. The ask is now at $75,000.
The popular cartoonist and industry figure wrote with gratitude over the day's events.
A couple of thing to watch perhaps is how some friends have advised to work with someone experiencing a negotiating bills to do so in this case, hopefully reducing the total monies owed. I heard of another cartoonist that planned to reach out about local, regional and even hospital specific fund designed to make a dent in this kind of billing, if and when they are in place.
I'll check back from time to time and as newsdevelops, and wish Dustin a peaceful recovery at this early stage.
* good on the Delaware, Ohio store Secret Identity on serving their community at a point of need. That takes an admirable orientation to one's role as a retailer.
Comic-Con has announced the 2019 nominees for the Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award. The Manning Award has been given out at the show since 1982, named for lauded adventure comics artist Russ Manning. Because of its wide purview -- young cartoonists, essentially -- and I think the focus on comics-making through Manning's example, the winners list is an interesting one. (Past winners range from Eleanor Davis to Dave Stevens to David Petersen to Scott McCloud).
I'm guessing on a few of those; .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
While the nominees are selected by a committee of CCI-related folks including a retailer, the winners are chosen by past winners and Manning assistants, another appealing factor in the award's longevity. Plus you get to run Manning art, which is swell. The winner will be announced at this year's Eisners ceremony.
The Never-Ending, Four-Color Festival: Shows And Events
By Tom Spurgeon
* this is way more talk of strategic rebranding than I'm generally interested in reading, although in this case I like that the capitulations made by the Denver show about the nature of "comic con" can be seen as their own commentary on arguments made by other shows during litigation.
* one thing I wonder when I look at all of these shows is whether or not they are an alternative to a more stable system of retail for this material or if they are the system of retail. I can't imagine that would be healthy, and there'd some depressing irony if this enormous culture-wide opportunity to reward creators turns out to be hit gigantically harmful factor.
* finally: not sure I'd picked up on the existence of Portland Indie Con, which sounds like the latest version of the alt-side of the original weird-comics show, Stumptown. I wish them luck, I think that's a great city for a show like that, partly because despite the reputation drubbing it has received as the Trump era brings its white nationalist tendencies to prominence, a lot of people still want reasons to visit. It's also one of those comics cities with a significant comics-savvy audience.
* Gary Tyrrell profiles a new store/client services offering hitting a lot of well-known webcomics creators and their work. I am all for those things that support the work of interesting cartoonists, even in partnership with creative efforts I have little interested in exploring.
* not comics: I enjoyed aspects of these now-canceled and mostly finished Marvel Netflix shows -- some of the acting, some of the use of violence, none of the ninjas -- but I never got the sense that after a certain point people I know had a propulsive desire to see them continue. Collectively, that was a bunch of TV episodes.
* finally: on the transformation of Magneto from a typically seething, dickish super-villain to a broody-man character of meaning and import. I have no thoughts about the end of the X-Men as a blockbuster movie staple. It was sure weird seeing that first one, although my editor hated my review he refused to shorten it for the synopsis section of The Stranger and wrote a synopsis from scratch.
This Isn’t A Library: New, Notable Releases Into Comics’ Direct Market
*****
Here are the books that make an impression on me staring at this week's no-doubt largely accurate list of books shipping from Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. to comic book and hobby shops across North America.
I might not buy all of the works listed here. I might not buy any. You never know. I'd sure look at the following, though.
*****
MAR191687 FOLLIES OF RICHARD WADSWORTH GN $19.95
Nick Maandag's deadpan humor leads to some of the funniest comics I see, his vacuous protagonists ramming head first into his vicious antagonists in a way that delights every nasty impulse in a person. I have no idea how he keeps thing at a point these comics aren't a horror show to process.
APR190132 CRIMINAL #5 (MR) $3.99 APR191243 GIANT DAYS #51 $3.99 APR190202 WALKING DEAD #192 CVR A ADLARD & STEWART (MR) $3.99 APR198001 WALKING DEAD #192 CVR B BLANK CVR (MR) $3.99
The Criminal issue begins a new serial, this one starring an oddball Vietnam-era private detective who does things he knows he shouldn't be doing. No draws a head injury like Sean Phillips. I thought Giant Days was going to end at #50, so I'll be happy and confused. The Walking Dead is important in terms of that title's story. Someone suggested on-line that kind of thing doesn't get much play with on-line fans the way it used to.
MAR190080 DIE TP VOL 01 FANTASY HEARTBREAKER (MR) $9.99
I still can't tell if this is a next big book or something falling just short of one. Those Image $10 initial trades is still a great program for sorting through that kind of thing.
DEC181031 MARVEL ART OF SKOTTIE YOUNG HC $50.00
I would certainly take a look; it's not easy to do what Young does here.
MAR192099 P CRAIG RUSSELL JUNGLE BOOK & OTHER STORIES FINE ART S&N ED $195.00 MAR192100 P CRAIG RUSSELL SALOME & OTHER STORIES FINE ART S&N ED $195.00That is very expensive and P. Craig Russell is almost always worth it.
MAR191944 SMURFS GN VOL 24 SMURF REPORTER $7.99 MAR191943 SMURFS HC GN VOL 25 GAMBLING SMURFS $12.99
I like the Smurf books and here is one at each size.
APR191750 THIS WAS OUR PACT HC GN $21.99
I also listed this handsome look all-ages book with a title like a Gipi album last week, hopefully it's still good.
APR191792 MASTERS OF COMICS SC $24.99
This make sense given the author's big Fall and Winter ahead. Let's all write an appreciation.
FEB190739 BRAVO FOR ADVENTURE TP $24.99
And hey, it's summer. Summer is for Toth and all the comics he both didn't draw and did. I could buy one every Memorial Day and be way up on the game.
*****
The full list of this week's releases, including some titles with multiple cover variations and a long, impressive list of toys and other stuff that isn't comics, can be found here. Despite this official list there's no guarantee a comic will show up in the stores as promised, or in all of the stores as opposed to just a few. Also, stores choose what they carry and don't carry so your shop may not carry a specific publication. There are a lot of comics out there.
To find your local comic book store, check this list; and for one I can personally recommend because I've shopped there, albeit a while back, try this.
The above titles are listed with their Diamond order code in the first field, which may assist you in finding comics at your shop or having them order something for you they don't have in-stock. Ordering through a direct market shop can be a frustrating experience, so if you have a direct line to something -- you know another shop has it, you know a bookstore has it -- I'd urge you to consider all of your options.
If I failed to list your comic, that's because I hate you.
* Ruman Alaam on the works of William Steig. I hope I live another half-generation to see all the work like Steig's subsumed under the umbrella term "comics."
* finally: there's a thought in this retailing column about Free Comic Book Day that I see recur several times a year, that even the best promotions and flourishes done on behalf of comic book shops have a hard time driving business to core elements of that retail experience.
* here's a bit of "Harley & Joker" licensed property book news which was announced or elaborated upon at the show formerly known as Book Expo America. I don't hold a ton of hope that experienced authors of licensed properties books are going to create, with artist, work of the kind I tend to like, but that kind of pre-sold material does drive a lot of attention in the prose book market of right now. I like it when authors work.
* Andy Oliver looks ahead at the comics collective Kadak.
Random Comics News Story Round-Up * not comics: more weird speculation about unmade superhero movies. All of the Superman movies since 1978 are weird. Well, maybe there's a good cartoon or two, and some folks are fond of the Kryptonian villains in Superman 2 or maybe there's a Justice League cartoon that works as a Superman solo. But everything I've seen has been odd.
* not comics: Rob Salkowitz, maybe the only writer I read on superhero creative material that's not the comics, ponders the ongoing digital content wars for what might happen to DC's small gathering of stuff under their own imprimatur. One thing that's been interesting to me is that the material has been very close to some of the comics. Something less interesting is people encountering that material and proclaiming its genius as something without a previous context.
* finally, Olivier Van Vaerenbergh talks to Howard Cruse (en Francais).
Comics By Request: People, Projects In Need Of Funding By Tom Spurgeon
* three days to go and 90 percent of the money to be raised, I don't think 2dcloud is likely to see its Artist Book Boxes crowdfunded hit its first goal. It could, there are rich people out there with more money than this in their sofa cushions. But it doesn't seem likely. That's too bad, because they seem like nice people and they have an interesting point of view as publishers. That said, I've never received more commentary here at CR about this kind of ask, the bulk of which was coming from a place of pop-eyed dismay. The general consensus seemed -- and this is more a hunch on my part than any actual knowledge, mind -- that the ask here was driven by the amount of financial need involved from past projects than what might make a new project successful. I hope that if this route is pursued by that publisher there is more clarity in the ask and that it is perhaps a more modest and rigorously analyzed request overall. The culture of crowdfunding doesn't seem to lean towards these kind of movement-generating super-asks right now.
* you don't see many successful save-the-shop fundraisers, and even fewer successful ones. I suspect that what is seen as a community need by folks directly hit by the loss of a store is hard for people outside a certain proximity in the same way. Still, communicating need however you perceive it is always a good thing, and is always worth a try, I think.
* finally, I hope this person from a 2014 Bill Finger-related project finds the help they need, and please avail yourself if they're known to you or are otherwise touched to do so. I do hope the model used to present the fundraiser, its repetition and lack of explicit connection to a specific community being reached, isn't followed by a lot of people; it's hard to list those kinds of pleas no matter the degree of need, in roughly the same way it's difficult to do multiple asks. I wish them every atom of luck.
Go, Look: Best Comics Horizontal Covers includes some insensitive depictions of race, gender and nationality if you care to not experience those things
Random Comics News Story Round-Up * Nancy Powell talks to AJ Dungo.
* it only had 1/1000th the Fantagraphics-related notoriety of the Ballard House, but this Capitol Hill home on 16th Ave E, a block from the Canterbury, housed at various times Greg Zura, Kevin Scalzo, me, Rich Tommaso and a few others for short durations. Walking distance to Jason Lutes, Brian Sendelbach, Evan Sult, Ellen Forney and Greg Stump at one apartment of theirs or another. It was three apartments, one per floor. Imagine these photos with terrible looking furniture and my original TK Ryan on one of the walls and you about have it. It cleans up very nice and I hope its one-home owners of tomorrow have a blast living there. (noticed in the wild by Mr. Zura)
* got word through my other job that Sam Sharpe will be appearing at CXC with the Radiator Comics crew and suddenly I'm beginning to wonder if my flippant joke the other day that the 2010s in comics has a big element of forgetting cartoonists you liked in the previous decade was onto something. I look forward to catching up.
FFF Results Post #521—Stuff
On Friday, CR readers were asked to "Name Five Things You Own That Are Not Comics But Are Related To Comics. This is how they responded."
*****
Ken Eppstein
1) Derf Johnny Ramone T-Shirt (And a couple superhero ones)
2) Bus Stop Ned plush toy complete with bus stop bench and sign.
3) About two dozen records with Darren Merinuk Art on the jacket
4) Table top spinner rack
5) 7" record case with DC superheroes from the 70s.
*****
Bob Levin
* A "Fuck You I'm With Fantagraphics" t-shirt (with a sequined star super-glued over the "u"
* An autographed flyer from EC Comics seeking subscriptions to its "New Directions" line;
* A handsome enamel Checkered Demon pin;
* A Bill Sienkiewicz pen-and-ink drawing of Alan Moore's typewriter;
* A DC superheroes tie, a gift from my brother, who dared me to wear it.
1. Thing Mug
2. King-Cat T-Shirt
3. Captain Easy T-Shirt
4. Zot! Wristwatch
5. Spider-Man suction cup web shooters.
*****
Dave Sikula
* A Superman t-shirt from Metropolis, IL.
* A copy of the Power Records version of Avengers #4.
* An Avon Superman hairbrush in a phone-booth box.
* A bootleg Mexican Batman marionette.
* The sheet music to "Ev'ry Little Bug," by Will Eisner and Bill Harr.
* Yellow Kid figurine
* Jack Kirby collector's card set
* Letter to me from Steve Ditko
* DVD set of 1943 Batman serials
* Jim Woodring vinyl Jiva
*****
Jeffrey A. Goodman
* Little Annie Fanny Wristwatch
* Maximortal True-man T-shirt
* Charlie Brown Pez Dispenser
* Alfred E. Neuman "What Me Worry" Ceramic Bust
* Batman Trading Cards (Topps 1966)
*****
Douglas Wolk
1. The Goat (from Quantum & Woody) Inaction Figure
2. R. Crumb "Early Jazz Greats" cards
3. Xavier School hoodie
4. The Traits' "Nobody Loves the Hulk" 7-inch single
5. Thrillbent Nerd Flu Prevention Kit
1. John Held Jr. “Tales of the Jazz Age†t-shirt
2. Kaz linesonpaper.com mug
3. "Little Nemo in Slumberland" flip book
4. Mickey Mouse View-Master reels: "Sorcerer’s Apprentice," "Mickey and the Beanstalk," "Steamboat Willie."
5. "Batman’s 75th birthday" t-shirt
*****
Trevor Ashfield
1. Corto Maltese ashtray
2. Batman & Robin metal lunch box (circa 1970)
3. Spider-Man 12" Mego figure
4. Garfield coffee mug
5. "Super Stan" Stan Lee Slurpee cup from 7-11 (circa 1975)
*****
Daniel Frank
1) Charlie Brown T-shirt (yellow with black zig-zag pattern)
2) Old mid-to-late-70s 7-11 Slurpee cups of Marvel superheros (and Wildcat)
3) Stuffed doll of Pig-Pen
4) T-shirt of Jack Kirby headshots of various Marvel characters (this: https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/marvelmasterworksfansite/koolest-marvel-jack-kirby-t-shirt-ever-t5306.html )
5) MAD magazine mini-lunch box
*****
Oliver Ristau
1. Zegas and Copra Tee by Michel Fiffe https://66.media.tumblr.com/3a63a4ede0bc6c1de0b4e67e62ce8504/tumblr_n5eiuvyqe41r47i3xo5_1280.jpg
2. Life Ain't No Ponyfarm mug by Sarah Burrini https://twitter.com/britney_spheres/status/793434584558034944
3. Dany designed puzzle https://twitter.com/britney_spheres/status/757968720115462150
4. Spider-Man pocket pinball (pic attached)
5. Punisher action figure, the hard way https://twitter.com/britney_spheres/status/1134669930710884352
1. Marvel World playset from Aamsco
2. A set of Marvel Family "Flying Marvels" hung as a mobile
3. A neon sign in the shape of the Avengers logo
4. Andy Capp talcum powder
5. Asterix & Obilix wall decal
*****
Andrew Mansell
1. Steve Canyon Lunchbox w/ the Thermos
2. Bust of The Spirit tied up
3. Sandman Death Watch
4. Golden Record LP Cap Joins the Avengers
5. 13 lanyards, one from each of the last 13 HeroesCons
*****
Dave Knott
* "Hey Kids! Comics!" spinner rack
* Hunter Rose Grendel t-shirt
* Opus plush doll
* "Most Holy" Pope Cerebus enamel pin
* Marvel Universe 50"x50" poster
*****
Evan Dorkin
1. F.O.O.M. membership card
2. Tintin and Snowy pencil case
3. Love and Rockets button-up shirt
4. Howard the Duck For President button
5. Pupshaw life-size vinyl figure
1. Original Read Yourself RAW pinback badge
2. Zap 12 wooden nickel
3. Brian Ralph Daybreak screenprint
4. Lloyd Llewelyn t-shirt
5. Ronan the Accuser action figure.
*****
John Vest
1. Marvelmania Fantastic Four poster
2. R Crumb Devil Girl Hot Kisses candy tin
3. American Flagg keychain
4. Omaha The Cat Dancer trading card set
5. Mister X t-shirt with Jaime Hernandez artwork
*****
Caleb Orecchio
1. Annie musical soundtrack
2. Snoopy and Woodstock napkins
3. Kramers 9 silkscreen poster
4. Spider-Man hat
5. The Cartoonist dvd (Jeff Smith documentary)
*****
Dan Morris
1. Hellboy Lunchbox
2. Yu Yu Hakusho T-Shirt
3. Doctor Strange Popcorn Bucket
4. Arale in a Penguin Suit doll
5. Captain America Tumbler
* I think it was Annie Koyama that I saw mention 
* 
* by request extra: 
* Dominic Umile on 
APR190146 HEAD LOPPER #12 CVR A MACLEAN $5.99
* Chris Kuzman steps into the "A Cartoonist's Diary" spotlight over at TCJ.com. That's a swell feature.
* Hillary Brown talks to 
* Timothy Donohoo's 
* 
* Tegan O'Neil on 
* a lot of charitable work or cartoonists involved with that kind of work at Charlotte's Heroes Con over the weekend.
* Greg Hunter on 
* a collection of Al Burian's Burn Collector 
FEB190752 PENNY NICHOLS GN $19.99
* Oliver Sava on 
* Carol Tilley does the kind of research for which we count on our best academics, digging into Street & Smith vouchers for their insight into that company's 1940s comics. 
* Dustin Harbin's 
* I appreciate 
* I'm not sure how I missed putting a link up for 
* 
APR190132 CRIMINAL #5 (MR) $3.99
* Andy Oliver on 
* not comics: 
* three days to go and 90 percent of the money to be raised, I don't think 
* Nancy Powell talks to 
