Controversial Legislation Topic at Comics Symposium

KIRTLAND, Ohio (Mar. 5, 2009)— Renown illustrator C.F. Payne will talk about proposed federal legislation that independent illustrators, cartoonists and artists say takes away their copyright protection on April 4 at the Lakeland Community College Comics Symposium.

Payne, who has illustrated for Time, Esquire, Reader’s Digest and The New York Times, will detail the impact of “Orphan Works” bills, which allow for legitimate use of work for which it is difficult or impossible to locate the copyright holder. Orphan work applies to art, drawing, photograph, commercial work, written or even oral history that cannot be attributed to the work’s creator.

The legislation is of interest to a wide variety of groups including historians, museums and libraries. Groups opposing the proposed legislation say it puts an undue burden on the copyright holder to register the work to maintain the protections set forth in the 1976 Copyright Act.

Payne will discuss the need for such legislation and offer his solutions for the most fair and effective legislation to address orphaned work matters.

A Cincinnati-based freelance illustrator, Payne’s work also has appeared in The Atlantic Monthly, Boys Life, Forbes and Mad Magazine. He serves on the board of the Illustrators Partnership of America, a non-profit organization developed to educate illustrators about business, copyright and licensing issues.

Payne also will serve as a judge in the symposium's Comics Contest that invites aspiring cartoonists of all ages to submit their work for a chance at prizes and an opportunity to have their illustrations reviewed by knowledgeable professionals.

More information is available at www.academicventures.com/comics. 

Calling all amateur cartoonists for a unique contest

Lakeland Comics Contest gives expert feedback, chance at prizes

KIRTLAND, Ohio (Feb. 18, 2009)—Once again amateur cartoonists and graphic-fiction authors can participate in one of the few contests in the nation critiqued by professional cartoonists and industry professionals. 

In conjunction with Lakeland Community College's April 4 Comics Symposium, the annual Comics Contest invites aspiring cartoonists of all ages to submit their work for a chance at prizes and an opportunity to have their illustrations reviewed by knowledgeable professionals.

"For many, those critiques are more important than prizes,” said Dr. Patrick McLaughlin, symposium founder and organizer. “The comics contest is the only opportunity I know of where work is given to an industry professional to evaluate and critique." 

This year’s judges, who also will present at the symposium, include Cleveland-area resident Terri Libenson, creator of the syndicated comic strip "The Pajama Diaries," and Californian Justin Thompson, creator of the Web comic "MythTickle" and illustrator for Charles Schulz's Creative Associates Studio. 

Last year's prizes totaled more than $1,000 in gift certificates, art supplies and comics treasury collections. Plans also are in the works to feature the winning entries in a gallery show.

Comic strip, graphic-fiction authors of all drawing abilities can submit up to five entries in comic strip and graphic fiction categories for their age group—from middle school to adult. Advance electronic or mailed entries are $12 for initial submission and $8 for each additional entry. Entries submitted at the symposium are $15 each.

Organizers note that the Comics Contest is not an art contest. Judging criteria include factors beyond the artwork such as compelling stories, unique characters, innovating storytelling technique, and humor.  

More information, rules, judging criteria and entry forms are available at www.academicventures.com/comics.

Harvey Pekar will be participating in a book discussion about his graphic novel "The Quitter" at 7pm in the library of the C-Building at Lakeland Community College.

His appearence coincides with the entry deadline for the annual comics/graphic fiction contest.  The Lakeland Community College Comics Contest is accepting entries through 7pm Wednesday March 12th.  Entries can be submitted via e-mail, reg. mail or in person.  

There are various levels (Middle School, High School and Adult levels in both the graphic fiction and comic strip categories.  The contest is judged by industry professionals.  Not only will winners share in hundreds of dollars of prizes but each entrant will receive feedback and notes from these judges.  It is the only contest of it's kind which offers a chance to have their work judged and receive critical feedback from industry pros.  More info is available at www.academicventures.com/comics

-- Dominic

Notables to judge regional comic strip, graphic fiction contest

KIRTLAND, Ohio—Amateur cartoonists and graphic fiction authors can have their work reviewed by industry professionals, including the author of "Sally Forth," the creative team of "On a Claire Day," a former Marvel Comics editor, co-author of the "Complete Idiot's Guide to Creating a Graphic Novel," and a senior editor at Dark Horse Books in the annual Comics Contest in conjunction with Lakeland Community College's annual Comics Symposium.

The annual contest invites comic strip and graphic fiction authors of all ages and drawing abilities to enter. "The judges know firsthand that delivering entertaining graphic fiction or a funny strip involves more than simply being able to draw well.  Often it's the story or storytelling that makes a piece compelling," says symposium founder and organizer, Dr. Patrick McLaughlin.

Already committed to serve on the judging panel are Francesco Marciuliano, writer of the syndicated cartoon "Sally Forth;" greeting card artist Carla Ventresca who along with Henry Beckett create the syndicated cartoon "On a Claire Day," Chris Warner, senior editor at Dark Horse Books and 20-year veteran of the comics industry as an artist, writer and editor; Danny Fingeroth, former writer/editor for Marvel Comics who publishes WriteNow! Magazine; and Nat Gertler, co-author of the "Complete Idiot's Guide to Creating a Graphic Novel."

The symposium is celebrating its fifth year in 2008 with a special Nextbook/American Library Association Book Discussion Series on the graphic novel from January 23 through March 26 in which five landmark pieces of the genre will receive an in-depth study. Specifics will be announced in a few weeks.

The Comics Contest allows amateur artists and writers to enter the comic strip or graphic fiction categories in age groups, from middle school to post-high school. Winners will be honored at the symposium's final book discussion on March 26. Entrants can submit work electronically or by mail prior to the event ($12 initial submission, $8 each additional submission) or in-person during the symposium ($15 per entry). Up to five entries can be submitted per person.

More information, rules, judging criteria and entry forms are available at www.academicventures.com/comics.

This year's symposium's supporters include: the Lakeland Foundation, Spudnuts, Half Price Books Records & Magazines and American Greetings Corporation.

Lakeland Community College offers a full range of English courses, including Dr. McLaughlin's graphic fiction class, which examines the art and writing that evolved into comics. For more information about this course and other Lakeland offerings, visit www.lakelandcc.edu.

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The 2008 Lakeland Community College Comics Symposium and Contest information is forthcoming!

We are celebrating our fifth year with a special American Library Association Book Discussion Series on the Graphic Novel from Jan. 23 - Mar. 26, 2008.

The Symposium again will feature its companion Comics Contest: 

Advance contest registration ends 5pm Friday March 7, 2008

All contest registration ends 7pm Wednesday March 12, 2008

Winners to be announced Wednesday March 26, 2008

Judges include:

Francesco Marciuliano : Writer, Sally Forth and Emmy-award winning television writer

Chris Warner : Senior Editor, Dark Horse Books and 20-plus year veteran of comics industry as artist, writer and editor

Danny Fingeroth : Publisher, Write Now! Magazine and former writer/editor for Marvel Comics

Nat Gertler: Co-Author, Complete Idiot's Guide to Creating a Graphic Novel and Publisher of About Comics

 More details to be posted here soon.

Rules, judging criteria and entry forms are available at www.academicventures.com/comics

National Cartoonists Day
Saturday May 5, 2007


Notes:
May 5 is National Cartoonists Day in the US!

Here are some ways you can celebrate...

Read the comics pages... even the strips you usually skip!
Watch an animated movie!
Visit some cartoon websites!
Write a letter to your favorite cartoonist!
Visit a comic book shop and try something new!
Send someone a cartoon greeting card!
Create a new comic strip or cartoon!
Teach someone to draw!
Visit the library and read up on comics history!
Introduce a child to cartooning!
Forward this list to someone!
Take a cartoonist to lunch!

Congrats to all the winners of the 2007 Comics Contest, part of the annual Lakeland Community College Comics Symposium.

All the winning entries will be featured at a gallery show at Gallery 324 located inside the Galleria in downtown Cleveland (at E. 9th St and St. Clair Ave.). all next week (March 31 through April 8).

There's an opening reception Saturday March 31 from 6-8pm and all are invited.  We'll have some refreshments and parking in the Galleria parking garage is only $1 on Saturdays.

You can view all the winning entries at www.academicventures.com/comics.

A free and open-to-the public event to be held Saturday, March 24, 2007, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., the theme for the Fourth Annual Comics Symposium is "Comics: The Rosetta Stone for Life." This year, the conference will explore how comics has been vital to our interpreting, understanding, and changing the world in which we live. nParticipants will also explore how comics has been used in various ways to foster art-based literacy, social awareness, and cross-cultural literacy and understanding.

The proposed speakers for the Comics Symposium to be held in H-101 (speakers) and H-1095 (workshops) are as follows:..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

9:00-9:50 a.m. Keynote: Dr. Michael Bitz, Ed.D., Teachers College, Columbia University, is the founder and director of The Comic Book Project. Dr. Bitz will speak on the practical and theoretical dimensions of using art-based literacy projects to foster children's creativity, expression of ideas, beliefs, and identities, and social awareness.

10:00-10:50 a.m. Tony Isabella, with 35 years of experience in the field has been an editor and writer (Marvel and DC Comics), creator of Black Lightning (DC) and co-creator of Tigra (Marvel), and critic. Mr. Isabella has written countless other comic-book titles from Amazing Spider-Man to Young Love. He will speak on his experiences developing and creating comics at Marvel and DC Comics.

10:00-10:50 a.m. Workshop leaders: Dr. Michael Bitz, The Comic Book Project, and Sandra Noble, Cleveland metro schools. An interactive, hands-on workshop about using comics to develop critical literacy and cultural and personal awareness. Participants will come away with concrete strategies for developing and using art-based projects for fostering critical literacy.

11:00-11:50 a.m. John Forgetta and Kathy Dow, syndicated comics writers of The Meaning of Lila.  Mr. Forgetta is currently editorial director for American Greetings. They will provide insiders' views and critical perspectives on the socio-cultural ramifications of comics and why they have such broad appeal.

Afternoon Sessions

Top pros to judge regional comic strip, graphic fiction contest

KIRTLAND—Amateur cartoonists and graphic fiction authors can have their work reviewed by industry professionals, showcased at a prominent Cleveland art gallery and win hundreds in the annual Comics Contest in conjunction with Lakeland Community College's March 23-24 Comics Symposium.

Comic strip, graphic fiction authors of all drawing abilities can enter the contest. Dr. Michael Bitz, founder of The Comic Book Project at Columbia University, will be a judge of the contest and speak at the symposium, which features comic creators to academics to discuss the impact and influence of graphic fiction. Specifics will be announced in a few weeks.

Writer, editor and columnist Tony Isabella whose career has included stints at Marvel Comics and DC Comics also will judge the contest along with the "The Meaning of Lila" creative team of John Forgetta and Kathy Dow, Matt Schneider of American Greetings, and Alan Gardner, founder and editor of The Daily Cartoonist blog.

The Comics Contest allows amateur artists and writers to enter the comic strip or graphic fiction categories in age groups, from middle school to post-high school. Winners will be honored at the symposium's final session on March 24 and have their work featured at Gallery 324 the following week. Entrants can submit work electronically or by mail prior to the event ($12 initial submission, $8 each additional submission) or in-person during the symposium ($15 per entry). Up to five entries can be submitted per person.

Organizers note that the Comics Contest is not an art contest. "Drawing is just one part of the magic," notes Dr. Patrick McLaughlin, symposium founder and organizer. "It is not unusual for creative teams to be composed of writers and illustrators. Compelling stories, unique characters, innovating storytelling technique, and sometimes just being funny are often what matter and necessarily not how well it is drawn." 

More information, rules, judging criteria and entry forms are available at www.academicventures.com/comics.

This year's symposium's supporters include, the Lakeland Foundation, Spudnuts, Half Price Books Records & Magazines and American Greetings Corporation.