By: Heidi MacDonald,
on 11/9/2015
At this year's Comic Arts Brooklyn, two of comics most influential curators examined the legacy of Winsor McCay's LITTLE NEMO IN SLUMBERLAND and the development of comics, from the vulgar days of yore to the modern gentile shores.
By: Jerry Beck,
on 5/18/2015
By: Betsy Bird,
on 3/17/2015
If you’re going to sit down and study the history of children’s literature, you cannot skip the Little Nemo section of your textbook. Maurice Sendak’s wild imaginings, for example, would not have had their distinctive flavor if a certain little boy had been able to keep his dreamlife under control. Cartoonist Winsor McCay kicked off the twentieth century in fine style when he penned the wildly imaginative comic known best as Little Nemo in Slumberland. So for those of you who count yourselves as Little Nemo fans I have fantastic news. Currently showing at The Society of Illustrators is the show Little Nemo: Dream Another Dream. It’s up until March 28th. If you’ve spare time in NYC in the next 11 days, I highly recommend a visit. Here’s the description:
In an exhibit based on Locust Moon Press’ anthology LITTLE NEMO: DREAM ANOTHER DREAM, many of the world’s finest cartoonists pay tribute to the master and his masterpiece by creating 118 new Little Nemo strips, following their own voices down paths lit by McCay. Contributors to the exhibit include Paul Pope, Gregory Benton, Dean Haspiel, Yuko Shimizu, Jim Rugg, Ronald Winberly, Andrea Tsurumi, Raul Gonzalez III, and more!
Naturally I had to see it myself.
Attending any kind of an event with a 3-year-old and 10-month-old is a harrowing experience but I was lucky enough to have relatives in town who were willing to (A) visit this exhibit and (B) run interference on the aforementioned preschooler. On the bottom and first floor of the Society is a show called Alt-Weekly Comics. And since I have only a single lens that I see the world through, I zeroed in on all the children’s author/illustrators who were also alt-weekly comic creators at one time or another. Mark Alan Stamaty (Shake, Rattle and Turn That Noise Down: How Elvis Shook of Music, Me, and Mom). Mark Newgarden (Bow-Wow Bugs a Bug). Jules Feiffer (Bark, George). And so on and such.
Up where the actual Nemo exhibit was taking place there was a television playing the 1989 film Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland. The three-year-old was immediately entranced by the wiles of Flip, as voiced by (and I am not making this up) Mickey Rooney. The screenplay was by Chris Columbus and the soundtrack by the Sherman Brothers. It’s actually not that bad. Then again, I only watched about 20 minutes of it.
As for the exhibit itself, it was just wonderful. Using the constraints set by the original strip, various cartoonists tried their hand at a range of Nemo inspired art. There was a Charles Vess that was heavily influenced by his connection to Neil Gaiman and The Graveyard Book. There was a Paul Pope, whom you might kn0w best from his Battling Boy graphic novel series. Raul Gonzalez, better known to us as Raul the Third, created some art that definitely brought to mind last year’s Lowriders in Space. There was also a Jill Thompson with art that was looking not all that different from her Magic Trixie series.
Here’s the format that all the strips had to follow, roughly:
For an interview with the Publisher and Creative Director behind the book that inspired the exhibit, head on over to Bleeding Cool.
Note: I have been searching and searching in vain for a Little Nemo comic that eludes me. It’s the one where all the characters start dancing, one by one. The image of Flip doing this funny little dance where he lifts his feet and then plants them firmly is fixed in my mind. I’ve never found it in any of the collections. If anyone knows of its existence and can confirm it for me, I’d be obligated to you.
And now, the Tom Petty video you’ve all been waiting for.
By: Heidi MacDonald,
on 12/27/2014
By: Alexander Jones
We just reported on a huge Boxing Day sale across Comixology, but there is one $9.99 collection to rule them all (aside from the Star Wars sale today–that thing is crazy!) The IDW Recent Hits/Discovery sale features a total of 20 great comics for half of the price. The best part, is that many will get a chance to try out some brand new titles that they have likely never read before. The sale is through Comixology only, and features a variety of great first issues that should leave fans frothing at the mouth to read more. Hurry and grab these books as they are only available till the 1st of January. Those wanting to venture out and try some titles that are outside of the mainstream without being too far removed from licensing can find some great selection here. Here is a breakdown of the issues in the collection:
Not only are all these issues half the price, but there is also a $9.99 bundle for everything listed above!
By: Heidi MacDonald,
on 12/22/2014
§ Actually, Julian Darius wrote the headline used in this KnB title, but it’s the essential comics match up of all times, right? Also, Winsor McCay wasn’t a very good letterer. IN case you’re wondering where I stand, I love them both, but I’ve always been a Krazy Kat girl—there was just more substance to it.
§ Speaking of great early 20th century comic strips, here’s a write up of Peter Maresca’s recent talk on this topic, which I really wanted to go to, but couldn’t, luckily…here’s a write up by Monica Johnson.
§ In Malaysia, they are introducing the ‘Kampung Boy Award’ to recognize local talent.
Malaysian Cartoonist Club executive council member Ahmad Hilmy Abdullah said the idea to introduce the award was mooted by Malaysian cartoonist icon Datuk Mohammad Nor Khalid or Lat, together with other cartoonists in the country. He said with the involvement of many cartoonists and animators in the country’s arts industry now, it was time for such an award to be introduced.
§ This Janelle Asselin interview with Archie Comics Publicity VP Alex Segura is a must read, just because Alex is one of the nicest guys in comics and one of the very, very best at his job. HOW DOES HE DO IT?
CA: What sort of responsibilities are at the top of the list for someone in your career?
AS: You have to be a good communicator, writer and people person. I’ve met people who are very organized, detail-oriented and know a lot about comics, but they can’t have a conversation. That’s fine, but you’re probably not going to be a publicist. Like I said before, you can have all the contacts in the world, but if you don’t know how to talk to them – as honestly as possible – then it’s pointless. Writing skills are key – you have to be able to craft convincing text, whether it’s an email to a reporter, a pitch letter with a review copy or a presentation to your internal staff – you have to know how to string sentences together that are clear, easy to understand and that have a point of view. We’re on a 24-hour news cycle now. I know that’s a tired term, but it’s true. If that email you send to a reporter is long-winded, doesn’t get to the crux of your pitch right away or is confusing, you’ve lost that moment and you may have lost that reporter. Also, if you make a mistake, own up to it. We’re all people, we all have bad days – I think being human in a situation where your job is all about interacting with people inside and outside your office is really important. I’m not perfect at this, but I try to be as understanding as possible. You have to be a social creature. You have to know how to have a conversation with a complete stranger without too many awkward pauses. You should be a good listener, because publicity isn’t just about telling, it’s a conversation. You should go into a pitch knowing that the detailed thing you’re offering isn’t going to come out exactly the way you planned it because it’s going through the filter of someone else. But, knowing that, you should let the people who are also waiting on the story from your side know the chance of this.
§ Graeme McMillan is back at Newsarama? Here he takes down Tim Burton and Grant Morrison for recent pooh-poohing of things they did themselves in the past:
In its way, it’s oddly disheartening to see both men — who, to different degrees, owe much success to the very things they’re campaigning against — make these comments. Part of it is the uncomfortable feeling of gratefulness that ensues, sure, as well as that awkward sense that maybe all creators eventually become curmudgeonly and begrudge that which they’re no longer a part of (See also: Alan Moore, Frank Miller). But even moreso, there’s the fact that, really..? Both men are wrong.
§ Future Wonder Woman director Michelle McLaren is interviewed at Vultere and let’s slip that Wonder Woman hasn’t actually been green lit yet. Ok.
§ Zainab Akhtar looks at The Speed Abater by the great Cristolphe Blain:
I have two favourite books set on ships (it’s a rather specific thing)- Ian Edginton and D’Israeli’s Leviathan, and this. Both manage to convey the monumental size of the engines, the scale of pipes and machines, the heat and grime, the noise, the knots of metal, the atmosphere. Much like spacecraft in sci-fi films like Alien, the ship here is a character in itself, and these are the innards; the belly of the beast which set the tone of what’s to come as the men become lost and confused, delving further into their psyches. Blain’s gone hatching happy in this panel: it’s the first time the men are seeing below deck and the combination of impressive grandeur and realistic depiction is on point- all twisty, bronze pipes, looming space, steam and shade.
I also have a soft spot for comic books set at sea where people slowly go nuts or have horrible, horrible things happen to them, including both of these. Among the others: Mattotti’s Fires, Drew Weing’s Set to Sea (just rereleased), Sammy Harkham’s Poor Sailor, and Tony Millionaire’s Maakies much of the time. There’s also Chris Wright’s Blacklung, which I didn’t enjoy as much because his character designs seemed inexpressive to me. I know that’s part of his style, but it just didn’t work for me.
§ BEST OFS! •Hugh Armitage at Digital Spy has a pretty good list.
• The Vancouver Sun
• Abraham Riesman at Vulture
• And Sean T. Collins who has the most PARTICULAR list I’ve read. That’s a panel from Koch’s Configurations above.
Sex Fantasy, Sophia Foster-Dimino
911 Police State, Mr. Freibert
Baby Bjornstrand, Renee French
Palm Ash, Julia Gfrörer
Configurations, Aidan Koch
§ And for those ready to move on to 2015 (and who isn’t?) the Comics Reporter’s Five For Friday has a bunch of lists of stuff coming out next year people are looking forward to.
§ First second twofer! Gina Gagliano addresses Should You Quit Your Day Job When You Get a Book Deal? and also I interviewed senior Editor Callista Brill for Publisher’s Weekly More to Comic podcast. She talks about the making of The Wrenchies, Andrew the Giant, and Jay Hosler’s upcoming Last of the Sandwalkers, which is all about beetles.
§ I would imagine many folks would be interested in Tips for getting ‘Staff Pick’ on Kickstarter.
§ Cosplay from the The 36 best cosplay from Mumbai Comic Con 2014. Spoiler: it’s good.
§ Peter Jackson is quoted saying he never read a comic book in his life so he can’t direct a comic book movie. Except he’s supposed to direct the next Tintin, isn’t he? I haven’t seen much talk about that in the Hobbit pr tour. Also, I think it is safe to say that Jackson has read Tintin, so…something is amiss.
§ I guess this could be construed as concern trolling, but Bleeding Cool’s makeover is actually a text only “makeunder” that goes back to the good old days of Geocities. YUCK. I mention this so I can quote the Outhouse headline: North Korean Hackers Strike Again, Deface Bleeding Cool’s Website. In protest, I made the image on the Beat’s front page BIGGER.
§ I tend to take the Good E-reader site with a grain of salt but here’s ae-Reader Industry Year in Review
§ TWO from Bob Temuka. A long interview with Dylan Horrocks and a review of the beautiful disgust of Charles Burns: X’ed Out, The Hive and Sugar Skull. The finish of Burns’ “Nitnit trilogy” as I like to call it, was one of the most perfect and amazing books of the year.
§ Finally, Norwegian cartoonist Jason reviews Lethal Weapon.
By: Jerry Beck,
on 12/4/2014
Finding the perfect book for the beloved animation fan in your life can be a big challenge, but these gift-book ideas will inform and inspire anyone who loves animation and drawing.
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By: Heidi MacDonald,
on 6/25/2014
Locust Moon Comics in Philadelphia has been putting together ran all-star anthology celebrating Winsor McCay’s LIttle Nemo with contemporary artists going nuts artistically. The above strip by David “Mouse Guard” Petersen is but one example of many jaw-droppers. The Kickstarter for the book launched Monday and has already been funded, but you will probably want a copy of it, anyway. Here some more art just to add to the persuasion.
YOu can read more about the project at the Locust Moon blog.
Roger Langridge and Jeremy Bastien
Gerhard
By: Melissa Wiley,
on 10/15/2012
Today’s Google Doodle is a tribute to Little Nemo in Slumberland—one of their best Doodles ever, a tribute to Winsor McKay. Don’t miss it! And be sure to click the tabs. GeekMom has a nice post up with some background.
New Thicklebit! Me love that boy.
I worked alllllll weekend on the book recommendations master list, but I still have a long way to go. Happy with its progress, though!
Last day to nominate books and book apps for the CYBILs! The Book Apps team would especially appreciate your help—lots of great apps still waiting to be nominated.
Semicolon reviews The Prairie Thief: ”a delightful little tale.”
I also like the fact that this story for young readers doesn’t shy away from those wonderful, challenging vocabulary words that my young readers at any rate relished and gloried in. Ms. Wiley uses words like “obfuscating” and “predilection” and “amenities” and “laconically” just as handily and appropriately as she does the shorter, also vivid words like “pate” and “mite” and “frock”, all of which might enrich a child’s vocabulary as well as delight her mind.
(Amy at Hope Is the Word liked that part too.)
Fox and Crow Are Not Friends is reviewed in this month’s School Library Journal:
Children eager to move beyond easy readers and older students requiring simple text in a chapter-book format will find this title a good choice. As in many familiar folktale themes, Fox and Crow are trying to outwit each other….“That will teach you not to steal my cheese,” says Mama Bear, whose presence in the earlier chapters will be noted by astute observers of Braun’s lively, colorful cartoon-style illustrations. With its crisp writing and short sentences, this is a solid addition.
It also gets a mention in this SLJ piece: “Fresh and Fun Books for Emergent Readers“:
Melissa Wiley retells and expands upon an Aesop’s fable in Fox and Crow Are NOT Friends (Random House, 2012; Gr 1-3). Three entertaining chapters describe how these two enemies repeatedly—and humorously—try to outwit one another to earn bragging rights along with a tasty piece of cheese. Sebastien Braun clearly depicts the animals’ antics with lighthearted artwork in sherbet hues. The straightforward text, amusing illustrations, and hilarious rivalry will encourage developing readers to persevere.
By: Jerry Beck,
on 10/14/2012
I can’t praise enough Google’s use of their homepage to give credit to animation and comic pioneers. Their front-page Google Doodle for Monday, October 15, is a tribute to Winsor McCay and his comic strip Little Nemo.
The interative, animated HTML5 comic is entitled Little Nemo in Google-land and was created by Jennifer Hom and Corrie Scalisi. It’s being released on the 107th anniversary of McCay’s comic. If you can’t wait until tomorrow to see it, it’s already live on Google sites in other parts of the world.
RELATED: Meet the artists who make the Google Doodles.
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By: David Elzey,
on 11/1/2011
written by Jim McCann illustrated by Janet Lee Archaia 2010 In a world, where time has stopped, populated by eleven year old children and their robot minders, comes a story of the day the men from space came to repair the damage that had been done long ago... It would be fun if I could say that this book struck a balance between Winsor McCay's Little Nemo in Slumberland and the British TV
By: David Elzey,
on 10/8/2010
by Kazu Kibuishi Graphix / Scholastic 2010 A collection of occasionally-connected comic strips about a boy and his dog and a very strange, strangely reminiscent world... As a boy named Copper walks home with his dog he imagines his backpack is a jetpack that takes him zooming around the skies. Instantly he's surrounded by other jetpack fliers... who all are dropping bombs on a city below.
Thanks for the nice coverage, Alexander! Two things, though: I think you mean “genteel” in your headline, although the early newspaper strip artists were certainly Gentiles, as well. And the French cartoonist Francoise spoke of is merely “Fred”–Philemon is his character.
Thank you again for coming, and for the report!
Shows how much a Violet education has done for me, huh? Maybe I should have gone to school uptown. ;)
Thank you for the pointers and for all your hard work on the panels this weekend. It was wonderful, and I’m glad I was able to attend!