andrew cohen – Comicsgirl https://www.comicsgirl.com Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:35:31 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.3 https://www.comicsgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/cropped-EdenMiller2017-1-32x32.jpg andrew cohen – Comicsgirl https://www.comicsgirl.com 32 32 59683043 The D.C. Area Comics Scene for April 23 https://www.comicsgirl.com/2013/04/23/the-d-c-area-comics-scene-for-april-23/ Tue, 23 Apr 2013 22:58:16 +0000 http://www.comicsgirl.com/?p=3729 News/reviews/interviews:

Event coverage:

Podcasts:

Free Comic Book Day events (May 4):

  • Matt Dembicki, S.G. Artley and Michael Cowgill at Big Planet Comics,  Vienna, Va.
  • Andrew Cohen and Evan Keeling  at Big Planet Comics, Washington, D.C.
  • Art Hondros at Big Planet Comics, Bethesda, Md.
  • Troy-Jeffery Allen and Matt Rawson at Fantom Comics, Washington, D.C.
  • Jacob Warrenfelt?z at Third Eye Comics, Annapolis, Md.
  • Rafer Roberts and John Shine at Beyond Comics, Gaithersburg, Md.
  • Carolyn Belefski and Joe Carabeo at Laughing Ogre Comics, Fairfax, Va.
  • Rob Anderson at Laughing Ogre, Lansdowne, Va.
  • Cary Nord, Brandon Seifert, Greg LaRocqoue, Joe Keatinge, Mike Moreci, Steve Seeley, Marc Hempel at Collectors Corner, Baltimore, Md.
  • Adam Kubert, Frank Cho, and Steve Conley at Cards, Comics & Collectibles, Riestertown, Md.

Kickstarter:

Events:

Have comic news or events related to the D.C. area to share? Email me by 4 p.m. Tuesday. More information is here. I’m still taking FCBD events.

]]> 3729 The D.C. Area Comics Scene for April 16 https://www.comicsgirl.com/2013/04/16/the-d-c-area-comics-scene-for-april-16/ Tue, 16 Apr 2013 23:01:32 +0000 http://www.comicsgirl.com/?p=3721 News/reviews/interviews/etc.

Announcements:

Free Comic Book Day events (May 4):

  • Matt Dembicki, S.G. Artley and Michael Cowgill at Big Planet Comics,  Vienna, Va.
  • Andrew Cohen and Evan Keeling  at Big Planet Comics, Washington, D.C.
  • Art Hondros at Big Planet Comics, Bethesda, Md.
  • Troy-Jeffery Allen and Matt Rawson at Fantom Comics, Washington, D.C.
  • Jacob Warrenfelt?z at Third Eye Comics, Annapolis, Md.
  • Rafer Roberts and John Shine at Beyond Comics, Gaithersburg, Md.
  • Carolyn Belefski and Joe Carabeo at Laughing Ogre Comics, Fairfax, Va.
  • Rob Anderson at Laughing Ogre, Lansdowne, Va.
  • Cary Nord, Brandon Seifert, Greg LaRocqoue, Joe Keatinge, Mike Moreci, Steve Seeley, Marc Hempel at Collectors Corner, Baltimore, Md.

Kickstarter:

Events:

Have comic news or events related to the D.C. area to share? Email me! Submit no later than Monday at 9 p.m. for inclusion each Tuesday, but the earlier, the better! More information is here. I’m still taking FCBD events.

]]> 3721 The D.C. Area Comics Scene for Aug. 28 https://www.comicsgirl.com/2012/08/28/the-d-c-area-comics-scene-for-aug-28-2/ Tue, 28 Aug 2012 12:00:04 +0000 http://www.comicsgirl.com/?p=3378
Michael Rex at Big Planet Comics Vienna. Photo courtesy of Big Planet Comics.

My apologies for taking last week off!

News/interviews/reviews:

Announcements:

Event/con reports:

Kickstarter:

Upcoming releases:

  • Mr. Big: A Tale of Pond Life, Carol and Matt Dembicki, Sky Pony Press. Sept. 1.
  • The Lost Art of Heinrich Kley, Lost Art Books, Sept. 14 (Small Press Expo)
  • Remake: 3Xtra, Lamar Abrams, AdHouse Books, December 2012.

Events:

Housekeeping:

If you are a D.C. area creator who will be at Small Press Expo, let me know! I’m putting together a list that I’d like to have up next week and I don’t want to miss anyone!

Have comic news or events related to the D.C. area to share? Email me! Submit no later than Monday at 9 p.m. for inclusion each Tuesday, but the earlier, the better! More information is here.

]]> 3378 The D.C. Area Comics Scene for July 5 https://www.comicsgirl.com/2012/07/05/the-d-c-area-comics-scene-for-july-5/ Thu, 05 Jul 2012 12:00:29 +0000 http://www.comicsgirl.com/?p=3256
Nick Liappis, Kevin Panetta and Jared Smith during Big Planet Comics’ live 50th podcast. Photo by Rusty Rowley

News/interviews/etc.

Announcements:

Podcasts:

 

Upcoming releases:

Events:

Housekeeping:

  • After next week, this feature is going to shift to Tuesdays — so there will be one on July 12 and then another on July 17 and then on Tuesdays after that.

Have comic news or events related to the D.C. area to share? Email me! Submit no later than Wednesday at 9 p.m. for inclusion each Thursday, but the earlier, the better! More information is here.

]]> 3256 The D.C. Area Comics Scene for June 28 https://www.comicsgirl.com/2012/06/28/the-d-c-area-comics-scene-for-june-28/ Thu, 28 Jun 2012 12:00:26 +0000 http://www.comicsgirl.com/?p=3247
Plastic Farm table at Heroes Convention. Photo by Rafer Roberts.

News/interviews/etc.

Con reports/photos:

New releases:

  • Not exactly a new release, but Big Planet Comics is serializing Matt Dembicki’s Xoc Pup on Wednesdays and Fridays

Upcoming releases:

Events:

  • Ongoing through June Mark Burrier: Rare Words Exhibition, Flying Dog Brewery, Frederick, Md.
  • Through July 8: The History of Invulnerability , Theater J, Jewish Community Center, Washington, D.C. Tickets and showtime information at the link.Theater J offers $10 off tickets to readers of this blog using “DCCOMICS” either online at the Theater J website or by phone at 800-494-8497. The theater also offers a discount to those 35 and younger, which makes $15 during the week and $25 on the weekends. No discount code is needed.
  • Through Sept. 2: “Graphic Details: Confessional Comics by Jewish Women” at the Ann Loeb Bronfman Gallery, Jewish Community Center, Washington, D.C.
  • Various dates beginning June 17: Create a Comic Book with Matt Dembicki, 7 p.m. at Fairfax County Libraries.
  • June 30: Landry Quinn Walker and Eric Jones, creators of Danger Club, signing, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Third Eye Comics, Annapolis, Md. First 15 people in line get a special gift.
  • July 1: Why Comics Matter: The Social Relevance of Comic Books, panel discussion featuring Matt Dembicki, Andy Hershberger, Esther Kim, Jared Smith and Patrick Michael Strange. Moderated by Stephen Spotswood. 5:15 p.m. at Theater J, Washington DC Jewish Community Center
  • July 7-8: Full Sanction at Kids Read Comics Celebration, Ann Arbor, Mich. (I’ll also be there, just hanging out!)
  • July 7: Southern Maryland Comic-Con, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Waldorf, Md.
  • July 8: Comics in the District: A Discussion with Local Creators panel discussion featuring Carolyn Belefski, Steve Conley, Evan Keeling, Andrew Cohen and Matt Dembicki. Moderated by Mike Rhode. 5:15 p.m. at Theater J, Washington DC Jewish Community Center
  • July 28: Matt Dembicki signs copies of Xoc, Big Planet Comics College park (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and Big Planet Comics Vienna (3 to 5 p.m.)

Have comic news or events related to the D.C. area to share? Email me! Submit no later than Wednesday at 9 p.m. for inclusion each Thursday, but the earlier, the better! More information is here.

]]> 3247 The D.C. Area Comics Scene for June 21 https://www.comicsgirl.com/2012/06/21/the-d-c-area-comics-scene-for-june-21/ Thu, 21 Jun 2012 12:00:50 +0000 http://www.comicsgirl.com/?p=3228
Georgia Higley, Head of the Library of Congress Newspaper Section and her assistant Megan Halsband show off some of the cool mini-comics Dean Haspiel donated to the collection.

News/interviews/etc.

Debuts and new issues/releases:

  • Kindling, illustrated by Deanna Echanique, began June 19.

Upcoming releases:

Events:

Have comic news or events related to the D.C. area to share? Email me! Submit no later than Wednesday at 9 p.m. for inclusion each Thursday, but the earlier, the better! More information is here.

]]> 3228 The D.C. Area Comics Scene for June 14 https://www.comicsgirl.com/2012/06/14/the-d-c-area-comics-scene-for-june-14/ Thu, 14 Jun 2012 12:00:37 +0000 http://www.comicsgirl.com/?p=3218
Nick Abadzis at Big Planet Comics Bethesda

News/interviews/etc.

Con/event reports:

Kickstarter/Indiegogo:

  • Magic Bullet #5 – D.C. area’s comic newspaper. While the campaign has met its goal, there’s still 8 days left.

Debuts and new issues/releases:

  • Kindling, illustrated by Deanna Echanique, begins June 19.

Upcoming releases:

Events:

Have comic news or events related to the D.C. area to share? Email me! Submit no later than Wednesday at 9 p.m. for inclusion each Thursday, but the earlier, the better! More information is here.

]]> 3218 The D.C. Area Comics Scene for June 7 https://www.comicsgirl.com/2012/06/07/the-d-c-area-comics-scene-for-june-7/ Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:00:18 +0000 http://www.comicsgirl.com/?p=3197
Mark Burrier's Rare Words exhibit at Flying Dog Brewery, Frederick, Md. Photo by Jared Smith

News/interviews/etc.

Announcements:

Con/event reports:

Podcasts:

Kickstarter/Indiegogo:

  • Magic Bullet #5 – D.C. area’s comic newspaper. Currently, there’s less than $200 to go.

Debuts and new issues/releases:

Upcoming releases:

Events:

Have comic news or events related to the D.C. area to share? Email me! Submit no later than Wednesday at 9 p.m. for inclusion each Thursday, but the earlier, the better! More information is here.

]]> 3197 The D.C. Area Comics Scene for May 31 https://www.comicsgirl.com/2012/05/31/the-d-c-area-comics-scene-for-may-31/ Thu, 31 May 2012 12:00:56 +0000 http://www.comicsgirl.com/?p=3153
Henry & Glenn Forever event on May 24 at Atomic Books. Photo by Tom Neely. (See if you can spot me in this photo!)

Announcements:

Podcasts:

Kickstarter/Indiegogo:

Upcoming releases:

Events:

  • Ongoing until June 17: “Life Unreal: Art by Evan Keeling and Scott White,” Northside Social, Arlington, Va.
  • Ongoing until June 23: Artomatic, featuring Christiann MacAuley, Ben Claassen III, Urvi Mehta, Jeff Kollins, Sarah Palaszynski, Ivan Collich, Michael Auger and many others. (I plan on going back — I only made it through four floors Friday — and hope to come up with a more complete list before it ends. I also plan a separate post on it.)
  • Beginning June 2: Mark Burrier: Rare Words Exhibition, Flying Dog Brewery, Frederick, Md. Opening reception 7 to 10 p.m. June 2 with music by Old Indian.
  • June 2: Russ Kick, editor of The Graphic Canon, signing, 1 to 3 p.m. at Big Planet Comics, Bethesda, Md.
  • June 5: Matt Dembicki, Trickster signing, 2 to 3 p.m., Book Expo America, New York, N.Y.
  • June 6-July 8: The History of Invulnerability , Theater J, Jewish Community Center, Washington, D.C. Tickets and showtime information at the link.

    Theater J offers $10 off tickets to readers of this blog using “DCCOMICS” either online at the Theater J website or by phone at 800-494-8497. The theater also offers a discount to those 35 and younger, which makes $15 during the week and $25 on the weekends. No discount code is needed.

  • Beginning June 7: “Graphic Details: Confessional Comics by Jewish Women” at the Ann Loeb Bronfman Gallery, Jewish Community Center, Washington, D.C. More details to come.
  • June 9: Nick Abadzis, creator of Hugo Tate, signing, 3 to 5 p.m. at Big Planet Comics, Bethesda, Md.
  • June 9 and June 10: Robert Venditti, writer of X-O Manowar and The Surrogates signing, noon to 3 p.m, at Alliance Comics Baltimore (June 9) and Alliance Comics Silver Spring (June 10).
  • June 10: Team Cul de Sac book launch, 5 to 7 p.m., One More Page Books, Arlington, Va.
  • June 23: Panel on District Comics: An Unconventional History of Washington, DC, featuring Matt Dembicki, Andrew Cohen, Peter Conrad and Brook Allen, 11 to 11:30 a.m., American Library Association conference, Anaheim, Calif.
  • June 25: Panel on Books Without Boundaries: Crossover Fiction for YA and Adults, featuring Matt Dembicki, 10:30 a.m. to noon, American Library Association conference, Anaheim, Calif.
  • June 30: Landry Quinn Walker and Eric Jones, creators of Danger Club, signing, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Third Eye Comics, Annapolis, Md. First 15 people in line get a special gift.

Have comic news or events related to the D.C. area to share? Email me! Submit no later than Wednesday at 9 p.m. for inclusion each Thursday, but the earlier, the better! More information is here.

]]> 3153 In Between the Panels: DC’s Emergence on the Graphic Novel Scene https://www.comicsgirl.com/2010/11/18/in-between-the-panels-dc%e2%80%99s-emergence-on-the-graphic-novel-scene/ https://www.comicsgirl.com/2010/11/18/in-between-the-panels-dc%e2%80%99s-emergence-on-the-graphic-novel-scene/#comments Thu, 18 Nov 2010 23:52:21 +0000 http://www.comicsgirl.com/?p=2135 Despite a rise in prominence, it’s safe to say a good portion of readers don’t quite understand what comics and other graphic literature is about. Even if they want to know more, it’s such a diverse medium, it can be hard to know where to start

Hosted by Washington, D.C., chapter of the Women’s National Book Association, In Between the Panels: DC’s Emergence on the Graphic Novel Scene featured local creators Carolyn Belefski, Molly Lawless and Matt Dembicki and was moderated by Mike Rhode of ComicsDC. While there were many comic fans and creators in the audience, this event was obviously for the WNBA members. That was actually a cool thing — we knew about comics and liked them and they wanted to learn.

After introductions, Rhode started with the questions that were submitted by WNBA members. The first presented to the panel asked what age range comics and graphic novels are for, noting that children and teens seem to like them.

Belefski said that while some of her work, like Curls is for all ages primarily, there are comics like The Walking Dead that are obviously aimed at adult readers. Lawless said that comics are for everyone, but she understands that they’re more accessible to children overall. Dembicki said he tends to create comics about things that interest him. While the anthology Trickster that he edited was aimed more toward younger readers (and it, by the way, just made Kirkus Reviews’ 2010 list of Best Graphic Novels for Teens), his upcoming Brewmaster’s Castle (with Andrew Cohen) is not.

Dembicki also pointed out that up until the late ’80s and early ’90s, comics were, overall, geared more toward children or all-ages audiences. He said he’s noticing a shift back to kids’ comics in a way.

The next question was about the process — basically, “How are comics made?”

All three creators seemed to share a similar process — an idea or script, then thumbnail sketches and then the creation of the final pages. Everyone had a little bit different take on collaborating, although each said they were flexible. Dembicki said he general starts out with a straight script when collaborating. Belefski’s process was more involved — she often collaborates with Joe Carabeo on several projects and they’re happy to listen to each other’s ideas when it comes to story or art.

None of these creators said they primarily use the computer to create comics. Belefski uses a tablet to draw a nightly sketch, but that’s it. They said they may use the computer to clean up art a bit, but all of them prefer drawing on paper.

Question three asked “Are some graphic novels more literary than others?” And while the answer is obviously “yes,” it did provoke a good discussion. Dembicki said there’s an entire range of comics — there have been some adaptations of Shakespeare, there are journalistic comics like Joe Sacco’s work, and then everyone talked about Chris Ware for a while. (Ware is undoubtedly important, but I’m not a fan, so admittedly, I kind of stopped paying attention for a bit.)

The next two questions were related — how each got into comics and the challenges of pursuing it as a vocation. Lawless said she always wanted to be an illustrator, but she found illustration work wasn’t fun. Comics gave her something to draw. Belefski said she liked cartoons and animation, citing Bugs Bunny specifically, and creating characters and world-building was exciting for her. Dembicki’s story was a little different — his immigrant parents bought him comics to help him learn to read and he was hooked through childhood. As an adult, he got back into comics after picking up The Sandman from his wife but didn’t feel interested in the superhero stuff any longer.

Belefski said that of course she’d love to do comics full-time — who wouldn’t? — but it’s nearly impossible. Lawless said “it’s very exposing” and it’s a challenge to make comics even when you love it. Dembicki joked that comics were a way of “avoiding contact with my family” but said he never wanted to do it full-time and is happy to do it part-time.

Belefski discussed how hard it can be to promote your work — it’s not enough to just make a comic, you have to go sell it to people. If you’re lucky, she said you may have a “staff of five volunteers” who help out, but no one is really getting paid.

After a discussion of inspiration (it mostly came down to that everyone wrote about what interested them and were making comics mostly to entertain themselves), there was a question about technology’s role in comics. Belefski said that while she still likes to make printed books, webcomics are easy — you just upload an image — and getting feedback is quick. Lawless said the Internet gives people a way to find you quickly and print-on-demand means you don’t have to pay to get your books printed upfront.

Dembicki said he uses his blog and Facebook to promote his work or to provide previews but he doesn’t really do webcomics and thinks it’s something that’s still emerging. However, he also brought up his District Comics project,which will be exclusive to the web at first.

There were another couple of questions that were basically already covered previously before Rhode turned it over to the audience. The first question asked if any of the creators had any formal art training. Both Lawless and Dembicki said they’d taken art classes growing up and in high school, but not in college. Belefski went to college for art but did communication/graphic design (which she said is the best way for artists to make money). She did also take a sequential art class and an animation class.

The most interesting audience question to me asked if there was any benefit to making comics in the DC area. Dembicki said it doesn’t matter with technology now — we can all be connected — and also pointed out that it’s a very transient area. However, he said there are a lot of different creators with a lot of different styles and it’s still an interesting place to be.

Belefski said it’s taking steps toward becoming a comics town. In the area, we have Small Press Expo and Baltimore Comic-Con a little farther to the north. Groups like DC Conspiracy provide resources and networking opportunities.

That’s something I’ve thought a lot about and I tend to agree with Belefski’s stance that it is growing but may not quite be there yet. The DC area isn’t necessarily cheaper than New York, but at the same time, there are cheaper areas around here (depending on how far away from DC proper you want to be) and people around here are actually hiring. I doubt we’re going to supplant any of the major comic-creating hubs any time soon, but I think we’re worth watching.

I enjoyed it, even though I already know quite a bit about comics (I do love any discussion of the creative process, though) and I hope those who didn’t know about comics learned something.

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