Mid-South Cartoonists Association (MSCA) » comic books

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

Have Cape- will travel! MSCA members at Cape-Con

Lin — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 16:24:31 +0000

This past weekend members of the “Memphis Mafia” headed up I-55 to Cape Con in Cape Girardeau, MO.

Here are some pics from the MSCA road trip.

The event center in Cape Girardeau, MO.

Kevin Williams with a TN Ghostbuster.

Jason Negen sketching at Kevin’s booth.

Nicki Howe at our booth on Sunday morning before the show.

Me with a couple of Predators- I’m guessing they’re not from Nashville!

Brian and Bob/Snake- a couple familiar faces from Metropolis.

More familiar faces from Metropolis!

John/Ash and his “boom-stick” in the costume contest.

“Duct-or Doom”

Kids costume contest.

Team Tucci!

Me, Nicki, and “Shi” creator Billy Tucci- he’s now part of the “Memphis Mafia”!

Me, actor William Katt, and show promoter Ken Murphy with my painting of “Ralph/Greatest American Hero” that Ken bought.

Illustration I did of William Katt as “Ralph”.

Me and my hand turkey drawing with the Helock Comics guys.

Outside the Mexican restaurant we had dinner at after the show.

I-55 on the way home back to Memphis.

Crossing the Mississippi River back into Memphis on the “old bridge”.

Thanks to Ken and his Cape-crew for inviting us back!

Lin

Draw Funny with Greg Cravens!

Lin — Mon, 30 May 2011 18:02:34 +0000

Hey gang, got this from our own Greg Cravens-

Hey, folks-

Heads up on the comic booking/cartooning project class I kept threatening
to do- On June 4, 18, and 25 (The first, third, and fourth Saturdays in
June) at 9 am until lunchtime, I’m going to teach anyone who’d like to
come about the process of completing a comic book/comic strip project.

We’ll break up into teams and work as letterers, pencillers, and inkers
and such. I’ll play editor and try to get everyone to understand the WHY
of organizing a project on the front end so that it flows to completion.

It’s not a drawing class, but we’ll all be drawing. Everyone will use
his or her own style and sensibilities AND work with others- thereby
learning what works and how it works when collaborating and communicating.

It’ll be in the Cub Scout room at Trinity United Methodist Church-
downstairs in the education building.

Spread the word- I can’t remember who all has asked about this over
the past few months, so if you know anyone who might be interested
and has time for it, send ‘em this info.

Thanks.

Greg

Greg is the syndicated cartoonist on the comic strip “The Buckets”
and does the web comic “Hubris“. You can see more of his work here.

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

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

Save the dates- con season is here!

Lin — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 06:34:55 +0000

Time to dust off your costumes, break out those sketchbooks, and bag up your comics- it’s con season again!

There’s lots to see and do this year, and lots of it is local- or just a tank of gas away.

First up is the Metropolis Super Con in Metropolis, IL March 5&6, 2011.

Metropolis Community Center

900 W. 10th Street

http://www.comiccitytn.com/Metropolis_Super_Con.html

Comics, wrestlers, horror guests, writers, artists, trivia, toys, and more in the official home town of Superman.

Next up is MidSouthCon here in Memphis- March 25-27, 2011.

Hilton Hotel

939 Ridge Lake Boulevard
Memphis, Tennessee 38120

http://www.midsouthcon.org/

MSC is a sci-fi literature con, with a mix of gaming, costuming, science, fantasy art, comics, anime, guests, and more.

Comics Guest of Honor- Kurt Busiek

MTAC April 22-24, 2011 in Nashville, TN

The Sheraton Music City Hotel

3 days of anime! MTAC (Middle Tennessee Anime Convention) features content to suit EVERY fan out there. They offer a variety of programming tracks to appeal to the wide spectrum of Anime fandom and host a variety of guests so attendees can rock out with the bands and meet their favorite voice actors.

http://www.mtac.net/

CGS Super Show April 30th & May 1st in Reading, PA.

Greater Reading Expo Center

Put on by geeks for geeks. It’s more than a tank of gas to get to, but a heck of a fun party! I’ve been a couple times.

http://www.comicgeekspeak.com/supershow/

Tiger Con May 13-15, 2001 in Memphis, TN

U of M campus

Tiger Con is a three-day Japanese Animation, manga/comics, and culture convention held at the University of Memphis’ University Center.

http://tiger-con.mfbiz.com/#

The Phoenix Comic Con- Memorial Day Weekend, May 26-29, 2011 in downtown Phoenix, AZ.

Phoenix Convention Center

Not a local con, but Nicki and I’ll be there along with MSCA alum/DC artist Dave Deaty, and Stan “The Man” Lee!

Great mix of comics, anime, cosplay, celebs, and more. Not too big, not too small, just right!

’nuff said.

http://www.phoenixcomicon.com/

Superman Celebration in Metropolis, IL- June 9-12, 2011.

More of a town festival than a comic convention, but lots of comics, costume contests, media guests, Super-museum, and corndogs! Think Smallville with a giant 18′ Superman statue in town square and that’s Metropolis. Many of the MSCA will be at the Artists Alley/Writers Way building on Market Street just up from the Superman statue, next door to Thor’s Gym, and across the street from the new Noel Neill statue. Most events during the celebration are free, but some may require advance tickets which can be picked up at the local Chamber of Commerce on Market Street. Lots of family fun to be had all over town, and a casino for the big kids down by the river.

http://www.SupermanCelebration.net

Anime Blues Con (ABC) July 8-10, 2011 in Memphis, TN.

Hilton Hotel

939 Ridge Lake Boulevard
Memphis, Tennessee 38120

First year con put on by Animax. Guests include MSCA member Martheus Antone Wade and MSCA friend Josh Elder.

http://www.animeblues.com/

DragonCon September 2-5, 2011 in Atlanta, GA.

The grand-daddy of all Sci-Fi cons- costuming galore!

http://www.dragoncon.org/

Nashville Comic and Horror Fest October 1 & 2, 2011

TN State Fairgrounds- Nashville, TN

30,000 sq feet – FREE PARKING, film festival, trivia contest, costume contest, comics and media guests, and more!

http://www.comiccitytn.com

I don’t have all the info for the upcoming Cape Con in Cape Girardeau, MO this summer (June 24-26), but it’s a fun con and only about 2-3 hours away and near Lambert’s Cafe- home of the throwed rolls!

Also, ConNooga was this past weekend in Chattanooga, TN- but you can find out more about next year’s con on their site- http://www.connooga.com/

If you know of any local cons or ones worth the drive please post any info you have on our forums in the Con Season 2011 thread of the Toon Rendezvous section.

Lin

Feb 3rd- Ground Art Day and 6 more weeks of cartoons!

Lin — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 04:05:30 +0000

This Thursday it’s that time again for our monthly MSCA dinner meeting at Garibaldi Pizza on Walker Ave. near the U of M.

Every 1st Thursday of the month we meet from 7-9pm to draw toons, talk shop, and eat pizza.

Bring yo’self, a sketchbook, pencil, copies of your latest project, and a few bucks to order off the menu.

The MSCA dinner meetings are free and open to the public- cartoon dudes and dudettes welcome.

Same for our Sat-Art-Days at Comic Cellar on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 9-noon.

While you’re here be sure to check out the new MSCA members gallery and sign up on our forums.

Stay “tooned” for more fun!

http://garibaldispizza.com/walker.htm