...checking out the following event if you're in the area?  While I'm a Trustee at MoCCA, I also love and support all the other great comic art museums, and so should you!  If you love comics, that is!


Children and Media from a Media Perspective.
Saturday May 30th, 3pm, The ToonSeum at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh-The ToonSeum presents a panel discussion on the impact and influence of media and interactivity on children from a media perspective. While there are often panels from the academic point of view, this unique panel will bring expertise from the creators and performers who entertain and educate our children. Topics will include the influence of interactivity on children’s media, entertainment vs. education for children and more. Panelist include:

Jim Martin, Director of Sesame Street, Bear in the Big Blue House, and puppeteer of Gary Gnu of the Great Space Coaster.

Judy Sladky, Sesame Street Performer as Alice the Snuffalupagus and close personal friend of Snoopy and Charlie Brown.

Jesse Schell, CEO of Schell Games, the creative force behind  popular online communities Pixie Hollow and Disney’s ToonTown.

Kris Boban, Animator with ANIMAL, and former animator for Nickleodeon’s popular Yo Gabba Gabba series.

Joe Wos, Children’s performer with the Children’s Museum’s outreach program, resident cartoonist of the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Executive Director of the ToonSeum.

The ToonSeum is proud to bring together some of the most creative minds in media and to continue its panel series on the influence of the cartoon arts in society. The panel will take place at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh’s theater, Saturday May 30th, at 3pm. The discussion is free and open to the public.
RSVP recommended at joe@toonseum.com or 412-325-1060

Let's see... I'm from the Bronx, I love comics, and I'm Editor-in-Chief of Papercutz, a publisher of graphic novels for all ages.  So, is it any surprise that I'm happy to support the annual Kids Comic Con 2009 produced by my friend Alex Simmons?

THE KIDS COMIC CON 2009 IS COMING!....
FUN, ADVENTURE AND EXCITEMENT FOR ALL AGES....
(and it promotes learning, thinking and reading, too!)....

Hey kids (and parents! And teachers! And comic fans! And, yeah, you at the computer, too!), the KIDS COMIC CON 2009 is right around the corner! That’s right, The KIDS’ COMIC CON 2008 went so well that we’re doing it again! Get ready for fun, fantastic guests, and action — all for kids! (Okay, parents are allowed to have fun, too.) Most exciting is that’s there are more things for kids to do than at last year’s con!....

The KIDS COMIC CON 2009 is set for April 25th at Bronx Community College (181^st Street & University Avenue, Bronx, NY 10453). And yep, even though the economy is struggling like Superman surrounded by Kryptonite, the KIDS COMIC CON 2009 is still free for children 17 and under (and hey, Mom and Dad, its just $5 for you — making the KIDS COMIC CON one of the best entertainment values around). ....

KCC creator and founder Alex Simmons, writer for Archie, Scooby-Doo and oh, so much more, said he’s especially excited about this year’s KIDS COMIC CON because of all that’s happened since the first-ever KCC in 2007.  “One of the guests at that con was Jay Williams, a representative of the humongous New York City Comic Con. He was so thrilled with our KIDS COMIC CON he asked if I would help redesign the Kids Day at the NYCC to incorporate what we do at the KIDS COMIC CON. In 2008 and 2009, along with others, we did that, and helped expand what was offered to hundreds of kids.” he said.....

One of the added benefits of having worked with the NYCC is that Simmons and other volunteers organizing the KIDS COMIC CON were able to improve and expand on workshops that will be offered at KCC 2009, which will be here in just a few short weeks.....

 “Our primary goals at the KIDS COMIC CON are to promote reading and creativity in kids’ lives,” Simmons said. “Now more than ever it is imperative that we supply kids with a continuous flow of positive ideas, skills, and outlets for their thinking as well as self-esteem building activities, like creating from their own imaginations. No matter what path a kid’s life takes, having a solid habit of reading and being able to think, synthesize ideas, and come up with new concepts or fresh ways of looking at things will help them succeed. That’s what we do here, and it’s fun, fun, fun for all!”....
Events scheduled for the KIDS COMIC CON 2009 include:....
10 a.m.:             Welcome—Alex Simmons, MC....Intro to convention events & First raffle....
Marketplace & Kids' Art Gallery Opens....

10:30 AM - Kids Emotes Drawing Competition -- On the convention floor children will be given a chance to win a prize by drawing their favorite Emote character.....

11:00 to 11:45 PM –How To Have Fun Reading Comics -- Peter Gutierrez will lead a workshop for educators, and parents on how to make using comics in an educational way, fun for all concerned.....

11 AM – 6 PM: Kids’ Corner:  where kids can sit and read comics.....

11:30 AM -12:15 PM:              He Really Is An Alien?  Join author Marc Nobleman as he reveals how two teenage boys created one of the greatest comic book icons in the world.  Marc will share a few great tales and images from his book, “BOYS OF STEEL,” the exciting inside story of Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel the creators of Superman!”....

11:30 AM – 5 PM:             Portfolio Review Crew.....

All day, professional writers, illustrators, and editors will review students’ portfolios (artwork) to give them tips on how to improve their work. ....

11:30 a.m. – 12 PM:             Youth Workshop A – Triangles, Circles, and Squares, Oh My! Is a fun introductory class in drawing kooky comics book characters by starting with ordinary shapes.  Artist: Neil Numberman, illustrator of JOEY FLY, PRIVATE EYE.....

11:45 AM -12:30 PM:              Professional Workshop I
The ABCs of Comics and Graphic Novels: What are they and what is their value to children past, present, and future?  (Panelists:  TBA)....

12 PM – 1 PM:  Where the Action Is, Part 1 – Young people learn how the pros put so many dynamic poses and so much motion into drawing characters.....

12 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.:        Youth Workshop B – Get A Clue!  This fun and clever workshop will show kids how to write and draw mystery comics, complete with suspects, clues, a climatic capture. The program is lead by Fiona Robinson, creator of THE 3-2-3 DETECTIVES AGENCY book....

12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.            The Art of Making Comics 101, an introductory class in creating simple and wonderful comic book characters, lead by artists Andrew Arnold, illustrator of the fun book, ADVENTURES IN COMICS.....

12 – 2 PM – LIVE MAGICIAN....

1 PM – 2 PM – Motion Potion: The Magic of Animation – A panel and demo on cartoon shows and animation with our special guest SCOTT GIMPLE, creator/producer of Disney’s Fillmore.....

1:30 p.m. – 1:45 PM:             Professional Workshop II -- Comics in the Classroom.  Participants will discuss benefits, methods, and curriculums for using comics in the classrooms and libraries to support understanding of academic subjects.  (Panelists: To be announced.)....

2 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.:    Toon Books Readers Theater Performance. See one of the Toon Books come alive with a performance by Geoffrey and Leigh.....

2:00 PM – 2:45 PM:            Youth Workshop – Star Ships and Cadillac’s. Learn some of the tricks to drawing cool vehicles, weapons, and diabolical machines.....

2:30 – 3:15:            Toon Book Reheals for Kids presentation....

2:30 – 3:15:      Make Mine Manga.  This a wonderful introductory class in how to create Manga style comics led by artist Yali Lin.....

2:30 PM – 3:00 PM:                    SPECIAL EVENT -- on the convention floor.  TBA.....

3 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.:    All Age Workshop– ARCHIE’ WAY – Join this members of Team Archie (old and new school) as they show how one of America’s longest running icons can be fun, fresh, and educational! New stories, looks, and plenty surprises.  ....

3:00 – 4:00 PM: Give it Some Color!  A profession artists and colorist will teach students some of the tricks of the trade in the wonderful world of coloring comics! (Artist:  TBA.)....

3:15 – 3:30:            Toon Books Performance by Kids

 

3:30 PM – 5:15 PM:            Youth Workshop F – The Art of Making Comics ....
The Art of Making Comics 101, an introductory class in creating comics.  (Artists: TBA) ....

3 PM - 3:30 PM:                    SPECIAL EVENT -- on the convention floor.  TBA.....

4:00 – 5:00 p.m.:             Professional Workshop III – The ABCs of Comics. What are they, and what is their value to children past, present, and future? This time the emphasis will be on the FUTURE of comics, literacy, and kids. (Panelists:  TBA)....

6 p.m.                                      Closing Remarks....

* (Schedule subject to change up to 24 hours before the convention opens.)

Simmons also noted that excitement is building on both sides of the KIDS COMICS CON. “At our first KIDS COMIC CON, artists, writers, and creative folks from all aspects of the comic industry were impressively generous with their time, but many found themselves energized by the excitement and enthusiasm of our kids. And since then word has spread. This year they know what to expect and so many have told me they can’t wait to see the kids again,” he said.....

Comics pros and publishers already committed to this year’s con include:....

Archie Comics (Mike Pellerito, Fernando Ruiz, Tito Pena, Fred Mauser, etc.)....

Soriah Chauvel, cartoonist on CAPTAIN KC!....

Peter Gutierrez, writer....

Brian Leung of Kidjutsu....

Janna Miroshima of Diamond Kids Group....

Dave Roman, of Nickelodeon Magazine....

Raina Telgemeier, artist on Scholastic’s Babysitter Club graphic novel....

James Sherman, illustrator....

Andrew Arnold, illustrator of Adventures in Cartooning!....

John Gallagher, illustrator, creator, publisher of …Boy....

Danny Fingeroth, writer....

Maurice Waters and ECBACC....

Kerry Milliron and Random House for Kids....

Ali Kokmen, and Random House Del Rey (manga)....

Kyle & Liz Baker....

Fiona Robinson, creator of The 3-2-3 Detectives Agency book  (Abrams)....

Christina Siravo, children's book illustrator....

Michael Wright, editor DC Comics....

Ashanti Freeman, indy artists....

Emotes....

Jessica Weiss, tween publisher of the comic, Geezerville.....

Samuel Vera, artist, publisher, creator of “Alien in My Toilet”....

Marc Nobleman, author of BOYS OF STEEL about the creators of Superman....

Ray Felix, artist, indy artist & publisher....

Jim Salicrup, editor-in-chief of Papercutz

Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art (MOCCA)....

Joe Staton, illustrator of Scooby Doo and so many other comics....

Yali Lin, illustrator (Manga)....

Dave MacDonald, creator of Hamster Sam Comics....

Neil Numberman, illustrator of Joey Fly, Private Eye, from First Second Books....

Scott Cunningham, writer of kids’ comics for Archie, DC, etc.....

Phyllis Novin, inker for Bongo Comics....

PalOOza Toys....

Mark Mariano, creator, artist of Happloo comic book series....

Reggie & Dionne Byer, creators of Kidz of the King Comics....

Kevin Pyle, artist....

Ed Mouzon, illustrator....

Gary Camp, illustrator....

Rich T., illustrator, and teaching artist....

For information on how to donate time, money, or books to support the Kids’ Comic Con, write to Alex Simmons at:  Alex@SimmonsHereAndNow.com....
 

With the economy making life more difficult for everyone, non-profit institutions such as the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art are in more need of your support now than ever before.  Here's an event that not only will help MoCCA, but should be a lot of fun for you as well...

The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art – MoCCA is pleased to invite you to special benefit screening of Watchmen on March 5^th. This once-in-a-lifetime evening begins with a VIP reception with special guests at MoCCA for our new exhibition The Art of Watchmen, continues with an advance screening of Watchmen at AMC 19th St., and concludes with a silent auction and an author signing of Watchmen Portraits by Clay Enos. 

Tickets are $100, $75 for MoCCA members. Purchase you tickets today and receive a MoCCA membership - a $35 value!. If you already a member, your membership will be extended. All proceeds from this special event go to support MoCCA programming. 

..This benefit screening of Watchmen will sustain us and enable our growth. And we want you there!  As a supporter of comics and cartooning, you understand the importance of a strong community to fortify the art form. To further our mission of promoting the understanding and appreciation of comic and cartoon art as well as to discuss the artistic, cultural, and historical impact of the art form, we ask for your support...

The funds raised from this special event will enable us to expand our education programs with youths and young adults, build our future exhibition schedule (including shows of Archie Comics; David Mazzucchelli; and manga, manhua and alternative comics in China, Japan, and Korea), and to reinforce our operations.

Please purchase your tickets to Watchmen today to ensure that MoCCA can continue to be the vital force in championing the art form. It is only with the assistance of our members and supporters that we are able to survive, thrive and grow. If you are not able to attend yourself, please consider purchasing a ticket to send one of MoCCA’s dedicated volunteers to the screening. It is a great way to say thanks for the hard work these individuals do for us all.

Tickets may be purchased on-line at www.moccany.org, in person at MoCCA or by phone, 212-254-3511, Tues. – Sat., 12-5pm. ....

Thank you for your support. We look forward to seeing you at the screening.....

.. Sincerely,..

Ellen S. Abramowitz, Chairman Karl Erickson, Director

(And for you folks out on the West Coast, please support San Francisco's Cartoon Art Museum by attending their benefit screening of Watchmen.  You'll be glad you did.  And hey, aren't we all going to see watchmen anyway?) 

...for only ten bucks!
Here are all the details, thanks to Danny Fingeroth!
***SPECIAL REDUCED PRICE***INTERVIEW WITH HARVEY PEKAR IN NEW YORK, TUES, FEBRUARY 17, 7:00 PM. NOW ONLY TEN BUCKS***

New York, February 13, 2009

From Danny Fingeroth:

***Admission AT THE DOOR ONLY for the HARVEY PEKAR interview at the YIVO Institute THIS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, AT 7:00 PM has been reduced to $10.***

All you have to do is say the secret word: “HARVEY”

YIVO’s “Comics and the Jewish American Dream” interview series (moderated by DANNY FINGEROTH) concludes TUES. FEB. 17 at 7:00 pm with:

HARVEY PEKAR: AMERICAN SPLENDOR
An evening with “America’s most heroic anti-hero.”

The man behind "American Splendor" will discuss his groundbreaking life’s work. With pop culture critic and historian Danny Fingeroth. Q&A to follow.

About HARVEY PEKAR:

HARVEY PEKAR was born in 1939 in Cleveland, Ohio, which has been his home all his life. After completing high school, he went through a series of flunky jobs, tried the Navy and college, all to no avail. Finally, in 1965, he landed a job with the federal government, which he held until his retirement in 2001.
     Pekar began his writing career as a critic for The Jazz Review in 1959. He began writing comic book stories in 1972, encouraged by his friend ROBERT CRUMB, who has illustrated a number of his pieces. The first collected edition of Pekar’s comic, AMERICAN SPLENDOR, won the American Book Award in 1987. A movie version of AMERICAN SPLENDOR was released in 2003 and garnered awards at the Sundance and Cannes film festivals. In 2005, DC/Vertigo released Pekar's autobiographical full-length graphic novel, THE QUITTER, with artwork by Dean Haspiel. His book THE BEATS: A GRAPHIC HISTORY, with art by Ed Piskor and others, will be published by Hill and Wang in March.

About DANNY FINGEROTH:
     Series curator and moderator DANNY FINGEROTH, a longtime writer and editor at Marvel Comics, has spoken about comics at the Smithsonian Institution and The Metropolitan Museum. He’s the author of DISGUISED AS CLARK KENT: JEWS COMICS, AND THE CREATION OF THE SUPERHERO (Continuum) and THE ROUGH GUIDE TO GRAPHIC NOVELS (Penguin).

Tuesday, February 17, 7:00 pm
The YIVO Institute For Jewish Research
15 West 16th Street / New York, NY 10011

***THE REDUCED TICKET PRICE IS AVAILABLE ONLY AT THE DOOR. JUST SAY “HARVEY.”***

FOR ADVANCE TICKETS: Call 212-868-4444 or visit WWW.SMARTTIX.COM

FOR MORE INFO VISIT WWW.YIVO.ORG


                   

Check it out: 
http://www.thevillager.com/villager_301/theresagg.html
And if that wasn't enough, check out this NY1 (a local TV news channel) report, for a peek at the exhibit, as well as getting to see MoCCA Chairman Ellen Abramowitz and Excecutive Director Karl Erickson:
http://www.ny1.com/content/ny1_living/arts/Default.aspx 
If you're going to be in NYC, be sure to check MoCCA out!
Mark Arnold, editor of the Harveyville Fun Times, who curated the original Harvey Comics exhibit for San Francisco's cartoon Art Museum, wrote an interesting blog on his New York Adventure, covering the MoCCA Harvey opening and the Harvey Comics panel moderated by Yours Truly (complete with a link to lotsa pics and a comment from Tom Orzechowski). Read it at:
http://fun-ideas.blogspot.com/2009/01/harvey-art-show-at-mocca-in-new-york.html
Seeya in Harveyville!



 

Talk about posting at the very last minute...!  I'm moderating a panel in a half hour or so!  Here's the info...
















Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art

594 Broadway #401

New York, NY 10012

www.moccany.org

212-254-3511

Upcoming Events at MoCCA

Friday - Sunday, February 6, 7, & 8

New York Comic Con

Join us at the New York Comic Con and meet your favorite artists and writers, including: Reilly Brown, Dennis Calero, Frank Camuso, Ryan Dunlavey, Josh Elder, Jim Gownley, Leonard Kirk, David Lloyd, Greg Pak, Jeff Parker, Rick Parker, Khoi Pham, Dave Roman, Dan Slott, and Fred Van Lente!

Plus! Two great Panels with MoCCA at NYCC!

Sunday, Feb. 8, 11am

Who Owns Superman: Comics on Trial

Panelists: Jeff Trexler (moderator), Danny Fingeroth, Denis Kitchen, Marc Tyler Nobleman, and Craig Yoe

A judge has awarded the family of Superman's co-creator Jerry Siegel co-ownership of Action #1.  This panel will examine the behind-the-scenes history of this landmark case and discuss means for the future of Superman, comics and creators' rights.

Sunday, Feb.8, 1:30pm

Comics and the Language of Visual Symbolism

Panelists MoCCA Director Karl Erickson, Paul Karasik, Danica Novgorodoff, and Alex Robinson

At MoCCA

Thursday, February 12th, 7pm

Jessica Abel and Matt Madden, creators of the textbook Drawing Words and Writing Pictures, talk to teachers about creating and using graphic novels in the classroom.  This in-depth discussion goes through the steps of taking a graphic novel from concept to comic, then discusses ways that students can engage creatively with graphic novels.

Admission: $5 | Free for members

And tomorrow, I'm on a panel here...

 

Graphica in Education:
Graphic Novels come out from Under the Desk

Best-selling graphic novelists join leading academics in a daylong conference, workshops and the delivery of papers in this fast-growing area - including:

The conference will feature leading speakers in education, libraries and the graphic novel and comics industry. It will host a specialized educational graphica book fair and a new awards ceremony to recognize graphic novels that have made a positive impact in the classroom. The conference will cover issues facing the educators as Graphica in all forms have made a substantial impact on the reading choices of K-12 students. For a great background - read about Comics in the Classroom in Publishers Week.

Details & Registration www.graph-ed.com
(212) 624-9110

 

 

The event starts at 8 in the morning, but I'm not on a panel until 1:15 (>whew!<).  I'm also atTable Con!  Go to www.myspace.com/tablecon for full details!

 

Gotta run!

 

Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FRED HEMBECK!?!

When I first met Steven Mannion at a comics convention, I was blown away by his work!  While I certainly couldn't tell him then, I made a mental note to remember him if I ever got to edit an all-new TALES FROM THE CRYPT comicbook series, I'd be a fool not to give him as many art assignments as he could handle.  Well, a few years later, Papercutz got the rights to do just that, and in addition to drawing a couple of stories for us (The Will Eisner-inspired "The Tenant" by Neil Kleid in issue #2, and a certain reality-TV show inspired "A Murderin' Idol" by Mort Todd in issue #3) Mr. Mannion has been producing a steady stream of incredible CRYPT covers.  He captures the spirit of the original series so well, that often fans mistakenly believe his covers ARE from the original '50s classic EC horror comic!
Naturally, someone this good can't remain a secret for too long, and we're thrilled to get this exciting news...
STEVE MANNION'S FEARLESS DAWN LAUNCHES AT ASYLUM

ASYLUM PRESS  ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF STEVE MANNION'S FEARLESS DAWN AS ITS NEW FOUR ISSUE MINI-SERIES, LAUNCHES WEBSITE, PRODUCTION BLOG, AND PREVIEWS.

Jan 22, 2009 (Los Angeles) Frank Forte, publisher of Asylum Press, has
announced that the first issue of Fearless Dawn, By Steve Mannion,
will be released April 2009.

Jet riding good girl FEARLESS DAWN battles her arch nemesis Helga Von
Krause in this mini-series from Steve Mannion. Fearless Dawn
infiltrates the vaunted "Manitoba Sector" to discover the secret
behind Helga's chemically-induced NAZI MONSTERS. Meanwhile, all is not
well back at home base when Fearless Dawn's boss discovers our hero
has broken probation and flown the coop! Join us now as Steve
Mannion's beautifully rendered comic book tale unfolds in full-color
glory!  Fan's of Steve Mannion's The Bomb will love this new
action-packed series.

"I am excited to bring Fearless dawn to a full-color series," says
creator Steve Mannion," this is a dream project and I'm having a
blast."

"This is a great opportunity to showcase one of the great undiscovered
comic illustrators of our time," says publisher Frank Forte. "Steve's
dedication to the medium is unsurpassed.  His pages are just a marvel
to look at."

Steve Mannion's amazing artwork is a beautiful homage to classic
comics of yesteryear, and it brings to mind the timeless styles of
artists that include Wally Wood, Will Elder, and Robert Crumb. Page
layouts vary in style as well, bringing back memories of old Archie
Comics, to stuff you see as recently as Eric Powell's The Goon!

Fearless Dawn website: www.fearlessdawn.com
Fearless Dawn production blog: http://fearlessdawn.blogspot.com/
Fearless Dawn preview: http://www.fearlessdawn.com/FD_1_preview.html

Title:Fearless Dawn #1 (of 4)
Publisher:Asylum Press
Format/Price: SC, color  $2.95, 32 pages
Item Code: FEB094073

Featured in Diamond Previews February 2009 shipping April 2009
Also carried by Haven Distributors

Asylum Press can be found on the web at:www.asylumpress.com

Still available from Asylum Press is Steve Mannion's The Bomb TPB.

This huge compilation features Steve Mannion at his unfiltered best
spinning yarns of his favorite creations: Fearless Dawn, Sea Goin'
Lil, Brownhole Jones, Helga Von Krause and Jungle Chick and the
Dinosaur.

Title:The Bomb TPB
Publisher:Asylum Press
Format/Price: SC, b&w  $14.95
Item Code: JUN083688

Before I dash off to MoCCA for tonight's event (a panel devoted to the URBAN EMPATHY graphic novel creators Dian Killian and Mark Badger), I just gotta mention the new TALES FROM THE CRYPT comicbook went on sale in comicbook shops today!
Rob Vollmar, who wrote the creepy cover story talks a little about it in his MySpace blog, saving me the trouble!  Check it out at:
www.myspace.com/robvollmar

People just don't believe how many comics oriented events take place these days.  Here are two non-MoCCA events I'm excited about...
Tonight I'm catching Fred Van Lente at Comic Book Club, which I'm sure will be a lot of fun, considering the great TALES FROM THE CRYPT scripts he's done for the all-new comic from Papercutz, not to mention ACTION PHILOSOPHERS, MARVEL ZOMIES 3, and so much more!
But Wednesday night. I can't miss MAD magazine's Al Jaffee!  I'll be the one asking about his work with Stan Lee on Super Rabbit!  Check it out:


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Al Jaffee and Danny Fingeroth @ YIVO Institute For Jewish Research (NYC 1/21) « on: January 12, 2009, 09:23 AM »

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