Mid-South Cartoonists Association (MSCA) » Industry News

Good Grief- CCS’ Schulz Library Building Potentially Lost!

Lin — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 15:28:41 +0000

According to The Comics Reporter James Sturm the CCS’ Schulz Library Building may be lost due to storm damages from Hurricane Irene this weekend.

Good news/bad news- no books were lost, but the old firehouse library building has sustained serious storm damage.

The Center For Cartoon Studies is located in White River Junction, Vermont. The Center’s Schulz Library is located nearest the river of any school building.

For the full story click here.

Quickie Comic News Update

Lin — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 06:00:44 +0000

Hey gang, here are a few news quickies for you-

RIP, UNITED MEDIA: A century-old syndicate closes its historic doors

THE MADISON AVENUE DOORS might be shuttered, but United’s legacy still stands tall above the industry’s skyline.

“We developed and represented some of the best talent in the world,” (Lisa Klem)Wilson says, “from ‘Peanuts’ to ‘Garfield’ to ‘Tarzan’ to ‘Nancy’ … to ‘Rose Is Rose’ to Miss Manners to Eleanor Roosevelt.”

“The history of UFS/NEA is long and rich,” (Amy)Lago says. “NEA began more than 100 years ago … for UFS, the legacies of Schulz and [Jim] Davis alone attest to its former power and glory.”

“No history of daily comics could be written,” Glynn echoes, “without a third or more of it devoted to what United and NEA brought to the readers of the world.” And Glynn’s Universal colleague Lee Salem says: “Many of the talents [United] brought to newspapers and readers are not just household names, but cultural icons.”

Jean Schulz, widow of Charles “Sparky” Schulz, who died in 2000, says that the “Peanuts” company fortunately “has been working with Universal for many years, and Sparky had great respect for Lee Salem and [parent-company founder] John McMeel.”

“But I often shake my head,” she says of United’s demise, “and think, Sparky would not like to see all this.”

“We may move on,” says Lago, who edited “Peanuts,” “but there is the grief of losing a loved one for all of us who shared in her reign.”

Full story on Comic Riffs By Michael Cavna.

First Look: Eliza Dushku Pounces into Animated Catwoman Role

From TV Guide online-

Eliza Dushku is getting catty this fall. The Buffy and Dollhouse alum provides the sultry voice for Catwoman in the animated DVD-movie Batman: Year One and as an added bonus will headline a short film included as a DVD extra. Catwoman was written by popular comic-book and TV scribe Paul Dini.

Batman: Year One will go on sale October 18 on Blu-ray, DVD, On Demand and for digital download.

Full story here.

And speaking of Catwoman, Julie Newmar has a new book coming out- The Conscious Catwoman.

There’s a new con in town!

First year anime con Anime Bluse Con starts today at the Memphis Hilton. There will be an MSCA panel at 3pm.

For more info on the con go to- http://www.animeblues.com/

Are cartoons art?

You can discuss topics like this and more on the MSCA Forums. Lots of news, tutorials, and cartoons to see and share.

You can also follow the MSCA on Facebook or Twitter (@MSCA_Memphis). Just click on the “Follow us!” links on the right side of this page.

Lin

Josh Elder isn’t singing the blues…but will be at AnimeBluesCon in Memphis!

Lin — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 15:36:45 +0000

The 2011 Harvey Awards Nominees have been announced, and comics creator Josh Elder isn’t singing the blues!

Congrats to our buddy Josh Elder and the Reading With Pictures crew for their Harvey Awards nominations!

BEST ANTHOLOGY and BEST ORIGINAL GRAPHIC PUBLICATION FOR YOUNGER READERS

Josh has self-published comics and written for DC Comics, and has become a regular guest and familiar face in Metropolis at the Superman Celebration each June.

Josh is not only an awesome super-guy (and can prove it!), but is also the Executive Director and Executive Editor for Reading With Pictures.

Their mission-

“Reading With Pictures is a nonprofit organization that advocates the use of comics in the classroom to promote literacy and improve educational outcomes for all students. We work with academics to cultivate groundbreaking research into the proper role of comics in education. We collaborate with cartoonists to produce exceptional graphic novel content for scholastic use. Most importantly, we partner with educators to develop a system of best practices for integrating comics into their curriculum. At Reading With Pictures, we get comics into schools and get schools into comics.”

This weekend Josh will be in Memphis for the first ever Anime Blues Con at the Hilton Memphis, 939 Ridge Lake Blvd off Poplar and I-240. Stop by the con and say hi to Josh and congratulate him on the nominations, pick up a copy of Reading With Pictures, and compliment him on his awesome \S/ tattoo. He will be doing a panel on his book, Mail Order Ninja, as well as ones on writing and getting published.

And speaking of the Anime Blues Con, an MSCA Panel at the ABC will be at 3pm on Friday, July 8th. There will also be a table for the MSCA to pass out information and/or members to sell our individual wares. So keep an eye out for MidSouth Cartoonists Association members at the con.

Congrats again to Josh and Reading With Pictures, and good luck to the Anime Blues Con.

Lin

One week left for the Black Family Cancer Fund

Lin — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 21:23:43 +0000

A tweet from our buddy and comics writer Jake Black-

“One week remains in Black Family Cancer Fund. We’re almost 50% to our goal. Please help us finish strong by spreading the word anywhere you can!”

In 2008-2009, Jake had cancer (Hodgkin’s Lymphoma). He fought it and won but is still facing over $25,000 in debt from treatment and related costs. The Black Family Cancer Fund has been set up to help fight this medical debt.

You can follow Jake on Twitter- @jakescancerfund or @jakeboyslim and visit the site at- http://www.giveforward.com/blackfamilycancerfund

Thanks,

Lin

Comic News Quickies

Lin — Wed, 18 May 2011 04:14:14 +0000

Liberty Meadows is coming back!

Frank “Monkey-Boy” Cho has regained the rights to Liberty Meadows and is working on new issues of the comic series.

According to Cho, “Issue 38 will hopefully come out end of this year.” Fingers crossed!

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“It’s Alive!”

BleedingCool.com announced the upcoming Frankenstein Alive, Alive! for IDW Publishing, from Steve Niles and Bernie Wrightson.

Also from IDW…

Rocketeer Adventures Launches!

Dave Steven’s Rocketeer flies back into comic stores again today- May, 18th with Rocekteer Adventures #1.

http://www.idwpublishing.com/

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TR!CKSTER..?

So what is TR!CKSTER? A new indy comic event in San Diego near Comicon!

TR!CKSTER is a retail space: specializing in CREATOR-OWNED wares including small run and limited edition books, fine art prints, toys, clothing, and more.

TR!CKSTER is a fine art gallery space: featuring the CREATOR-OWNED work of some of today’s most influential artists and designers.

TR!CKSTER is a series of Symposia: focused, CREATOR-DRIVEN demonstrations and discussions of method, process, and theory concerning the act of creating new, uniquely-voiced works of art.

Follow TR!CKSTER on twitter- @TRICKSTER_2011 or check out their website at http://trickstertrickster.com/

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Zombies invade Memphis…Again!

This is the Memphis Zombie Massacre’s fifth year, so to celebrate they’ve decided give something back to the community with Cans-4-Brainz to help benefit the Memphis Food Bank and flood relief efforts.

Keep and eye out for some familiar MSCA and Haunted Web of Horror faces in the crowd.

More info on their site at – http://www.memphiszombies.com/

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It’s a bird…it’s a plane, it’s a Superman Celebration!

Almost time to head back to Metropolis, IL for the 33rd Annual Superman Celebration June 9-12, 2011!

Several members of the MSCA will be back again along with Super Writer Josh Elder and Super Artists Jamal Igle and Freddie Williams II and many others in Artists Alley/Writers Way.

Special guests this year include Superman Returns stars Brandon Routh and Sam Huntington, SMALLVILLE‘s Black CanaryAlaina Huffman, Superman IV‘s Mark Pillow, and Tracey Roberts Lewis from Superboy!

It’s a small town festival meets comic convention for some big time Superman fun- and it’s FREE!

More info at- http://www.supermancelebration.net/

Stay “tooned” for more upcoming events!

Lin

Star Wars Art: Comics

Lin — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:37:31 +0000

From StarWars.com-

(Front cover art by Dave Dorman)

Abrams Books, publishers of the enthralling Star Wars Visions art book, is gathering together a new trove of Star Wars art celebrating the comics medium, as curated by George Lucas. Star Wars Art: Comics showcases the best original artwork from the past three decades of Star Wars comic-book publishing. It features a foreword by Dennis O’Neil and an introduction by Virginia Mecklenburg, Senior Curator at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

This book is due out this Fall, followed in November by a Limited Edition of 500 copies, with more artworks and signed prints by Sam Kieth, Dave Dorman, Frank Quitely, Mike Mignola and Ryan Sook.

http://www.starwars.com/vault/books/swartcomics/index.html

Speaking of Star Wars books, don’t forget about the upcoming Dan Wallace book signing at the Hernando library-

Star Wars Celebration with Daniel Wallace

Thursday, May 5, 6:30 p.m

Daniel Wallace, author and specialist on Star Wars, Superman and other Super Heroes will share his knowledge for this special celebration for all ages. Come as your favorite Star Wars character. Wallace will be signing copies of his new book “Star Wars, Battles for the Galaxy: Fight for Victory, Become a Hero”.

The event is funded by the Elizabeth Entrikin Cooke Foundation and sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Book signing sponsored by Books-A- Million.

Members of the Memphis Star Wars Fan Force and the 501st will be on hand. For more information, contact Heather Lawson, head librarian. hlawson@firstregional.org

Hernando Public Library
370 West Commerce Street (off I-55, just west of HWY 51)
Hernando, MS 38632

662-429-4439
662-429-8625 fax

http://www.firstregional.org./

Nicki and I hope to see you there!

Lin/Dork-Vader

Defense Department to Use Comic Books as ‘Art Therapy’

Lin — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 16:44:05 +0000

From Newsarama.com- Soldiers make on-line comics

For most of human history, people have used comic book-like art forms to document the horror and valor of war, and now American defense scientists think continuing that tradition by producing online comic books could help veterans overcome post-traumatic stress disorder.

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/darpa-dod-comic-books-art-therapy-110428.html

Brutal Tips On Breaking In To Comics by Gail Simone

Lin — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 02:46:06 +0000

Nicki, our webmaster and resident comics fangirl sent me this link to an article by writer Gail Simone on her blog Ape In A Cape.

Brutal Tips On Breaking In To Comics

Read it if you dare- or if you just want some really good advice on breaking into comics from a pro.

Lin

The Daily News- “Pow! Duo of Comic Book Stores See Continued Success”

Lin — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 03:45:28 +0000

Our two LCSs (local comic shops) are featured in an article in The Daily News-

A pair of local comic shops, Comics and Collectibles in East Memphis and Comic Cellar Cards, Comics & Games in Raleigh, have enjoyed success and weathered ups and downs in the industry over the years, thanks to their extremely loyal customers.

And some local creators and MSCA members get a mention, too-

In addition to the comic shops, quite a few successful comic book artists and writers call Memphis home, including Dean Zachery, Jim Hall, Anton Wade, Adam Shaw and Lin Workman. Both local shops feature occasional book signings and meet-and-greets with the artists.

You can read the full article here- http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=57809

Don’t forget to visit these shops for Free Comic Book Day on May 7th!

Lin

MSCA Member Needs Help

Sun, 10 Apr 2011 17:37:06 +0000

Hi, everyone,

I received a note from our long-time member, artist and actor-superb Jim Palmer that his ever-supporting and actress-extraordinaire wife, Jo Lynne, suffered a stroke in the early part of April.

Since then, an update has appeared in The Memphis Flyer, with a note, “Remember me in light.” Knowing Jo Lynne, she’ll be on the stage again before too long!!

Jo Lynne can be found all over the place: commercials, fan films (The Red Mullet for example), motion pictures like “Black Snake Moan,” plays at all the theaters, a docent and guide for The Civil Rights Museum…she’s everywhere! Can’t make it to the theater? You can hear her performing with Chatterbox Theater!

The most recent play I saw her in was one that I’ve loved for years and years, “Driving Miss Daisy.” Of course, as a kid I was first introduced to it through the movie; but, watching it in a live setting, in a theater, allows you to see it from a different view and Jo Lynne’s “Miss Daisy” has been my favorite because she plays the role with both a southern woman charm, soft and gentle, and also a widowed-woman’s strength, keeping control of everything she can.

Jo Lynne has never been one to let you down when she is on the stage–whether playing fragile 90-something year old Miss Daisy in or a boistrous, hilarious mom in Pride and Prejudice, or a nurse who carries a play as one of only 4 characters the entire time (not to mention the numerous monologues by her hubby, Jim)–whatever her role, she has always brought it forth 100%, and as an audience member you have never been let down, always leaving entertained as no challenge on stage has ever been met so sturdily strong as when faced by Jo Lynne.

Now, she’s up for the biggest challenge ever: Healing. Although considered “mild” the stroke is anything but, and has left her suffering numbness and paralysis on her left-side. You can bet this is discomforting enough, but amidst this there is the upcoming therapy, and funds necessary to do this are little.

That’s where you come in: if it’s one thing we are known for in the artists’ community is that the Mid-South Cartoonists Association has been well-known for its camaraderie, and fraternal relationships. I don’t think there are any of us in the group who doesn’t have at least one other person we talk to regularly outside of the meetings. In this familial tradition, the Palmers need your help!

We are taking donations (whatever you can give will be appreciated). No insurance is available for the Palmers and so all financing has to come from them directly. I’m asking all members of the MSCA as well as SEC/NCS members to please make a monetary donation to the cause.

You can donate by sending a check or money order to:
MID-SOUTH CARTOONISTS ASSOCIATION/Palmer Fund
POB 770397
MEMPHIS, TN 38177-0397

Or, you can bring money to the May dinner meeting. Please donate by May 5, 2011, when all monies collected will be gathered and shortly afterward given to the Palmers.

If you would like to donate to them directly, please contact us for their personal address and we’ll share that.

Also, Germantown Community Theater’s Brent Davis has set up an actor’s fund with Theater Memphis, to which donations can be sent regularly, to help out actors. Jo Lynne will be the first of the beneficiaries. You can CLICK HERE to donate to help Jo Lynne. The description shared with the Memphis Flyer of the fund is:

The Memphis Theater Community is uniting in the creation of a special fund for theatre volunteers in similar situations to Jo Lynne Palmer. Debbie Litch and Theatre Memphis have set up a community fund to aid and assist volunteers and staff of the Memphis theater community who are in medical or specific social financial distress or need. The account is called the Emergency Needs for the Theater Artists Community FUND. The process to receive funds will be monitored and applied by a committee appointed by Theatre Memphis and will be open to the entire Memphis theater community as defined by the committee. Each award of cash will be reviewed on an individual basis with the priority going to medical needs and assistance. To donate to the fund, cash, checks or credit cards are accepted to Theatre Memphis, 630 Perkins Ext, Memphis, TN, 38117, with a designation for the “Palmer Account.” To contribute, call 901.682.8601 or look for a link at www.theatrememphis.org to pay through Paypal.

I speak on behalf of everyone associated with the MSCA when I wish Jo Lynne our very best through prayer, well-wishes and love.

Kev the Prez