Tag Archives: library

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It’s the last day of the year!!!  Here’s the news from the last 24 hours you might have missed.

Around the Blogs:

The Beacon-News – Library a convenient spot for meeting comic strip creators – I guess I need to hang out at more libraries.

Comics Alliance – ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ Movie Toys Reveal Surprisingly Off-Road Racing-Based Plot Points! – Um…

 

Around the Tubes Reviews:

CBR – Blackhawks #4

CBR – Captain America & Bucky #625

Graphic Novel Resources – The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation

Reading Comes From Writing – Twilight Graphic Novel Vol. 2

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It’s Friday and the best part is it’s the last day of work before vacation!  Yay!  What will I be doing?  Reading all of the articles below!

Around the Blogs:

Bleeding Cool – When Is A Black Character Not A Black Character? – Some folks read way too much into things.

Bleeding Cool – Edgar’s Comics: How An Artist’s Comic Collection Changed Comics Culture, And Became Worth $50 Million In The Process (Kickstarter Film) – Kind of want to check this out.

MTV Geek – Stan Lee Creates Indian Superhero For Liquid Comics – I wonder how this compares to his other recent launches?

The Mary Sue – Casting Call For A New Geek Reality Show…From The Creators Of The Jersey Shore – Should I apply?

Southwest Riverside News Network – Murrieta Public Library invites teens to explore comic books – Sounds like a cool event and great thing for a library to put together.

Kotaku – Here’s a New Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Fight Stick to Kick Galactus’ Ass With – Cool looking controller.

Kotaku – Batman Gets Retro and New-School Looks in Arkham City Lockdown iOS Update – Should I get this game?

 

Around the Tubes Reviews:

CBR – Daredevil #7

MTV Geek – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Ultimate Collection, Vol. 1

CBR – Wonder Woman #4

IGN – Comic Book Reviews for 12/21/11

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Yesterday was new comic book day, I haven’t had a chance to get to the shop, but did folks get anything good?  While you’re making your way through your comics, here’s the news you might have missed.

Around the Blogs:

IGN – Which Comic Books Could Be Coming to TV? – How long before it’s too many?

Greene County Daily World – Linton Public Library to offer comic strip seminar – So many libraries are turning to comic books to get people through the door.

CBLDF – Listen to CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein Talk to the Annual Conference on Libraries and the Future – Support this group!

Comics Alliance – Cartoonists Occupy Webcomics in ‘Beginning of the American Fall’ and ‘Occupy Sketchbook’ – Great to see so many in the comic book industry getting involved.

Kotaku – Should You Buy Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3? Yes. – Too many good games coming out.


Around the Tubes Reviews:

IGN – Batman #3

CBR – Batman #3

IGN – Justice League #3

MTV Geek – Justice League #3

Announcing the creation of the Small Press Expo Collection at the Library of Congress

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Official Press Release

Announcing the creation of the Small Press Expo Collection at the Library of Congress

Bethesda, Maryland; August 30, 2011 – The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels, and alternative political cartoons, is pleased to announce the establishment of the Small Press Expo Collection at The Library of Congress.

In a first of its kind relationship, SPX is creating with the Library of Congress an ongoing collection that will focus on the craft and diversity of the independent comics community. Only those who have attended SPX as guests or exhibitors can have their works considered for the collection.

The primary emphasis will be on those works that are not submitted as part of the Library of Congress copyright deposit program, allowing the Library of Congress to expand its collection in areas that would not be otherwise available to its collections staff. This will include self published mini-comics and comics, as well as the new wave of tabloid comic sections that have become popular in the last few years.

Every year, SPX will team with Library of Congress curators and collections staff to solicit selected exhibitors for works to be included in the collection. In addition, all Ignatz Award nominees in the various print categories will automatically become part of the collection, with the winner of the Ignatz Award for the Best Online Comic to be archived as part of the Library of Congress digital collections program. The collection will also include all posters, flyers, badges, and other artistic ephemera created for SPX by comic artists, as well as having the SPX web site digitally archived.

“The Library of Congress has been collecting comic books and original cartoon art before most collectors took it seriously as an art form.  The Small Press Expo (SPX) Collection will enhance the Library’s existing holdings and allow future researchers to see the full spectrum of cartoon art that is available today,” said Sara W. Duke, curator of popular and applied graphic art in the Library’s Prints and Photographs Division.

SPX is honored to work with the Library of Congress to preserve the cultural wealth of  the Small Press Expo and its guests/exhibitors, and thereby enhancing the Library of Congress extensive comic book and original art collections.

Questions about the Small Press Expo Library of Congress Collection should be directed to warren@spxpo.com.

SPX 2011 will be held Saturday, September 10 from 11am-7pm and Sunday, September 11, 12-6pm at The North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Admission is $10 for a single day and $15 for both days.

Additional information about SPX 2011 can be found at http://www.spxpo.com.

Announcing the First Recipient of the Small Press Expo Graphic Novel Gift Program

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Official Press Release

Announcing the First Recipient of the Small Press Expo Graphic Novel Gift Program

Bethesda, Maryland; August 24, 2011 – The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels, and alternative political cartoons, is pleased to announce that the Montgomery County Public Library (MCPL) of Montgomery County, Maryland is the first recipient of the Small Press Expo Graphic Novel Gift Program.

MCPL was chosen this year as SPX has been held in Montgomery County, Maryland since the first Small Press Expo in 1994. This new program is an outright gift of graphic novels to MCPL as selected by an MCPL Collection Specialist, who selected 15 titles, comprising 230 individual books to distribute to 20 MCPL branches.

“Montgomery County Public Libraries is pleased to be the first recipient of the new Small Press Expo Library Gift Program.  This is an example of how local businesses can support our libraries during these difficult economic times,” said Parker Hamilton, MCPL director.

On September 6 at 11am the press is invited to a formal presentation of the books to Parker Hamilton the MCPL Director by Small Press Expo Executive Director Warren Bernard. The event will be held at the the Rockville Memorial Library located at 21 Maryland Avenue Rockville, Maryland 20850.

This new program by SPX is an expansion of the philanthropic and charitable endeavors that are part of its corporate charter, and is in addition to SPX’s annual support to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. The targets of this program are public and academic library systems in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area as selected by the Small Press Expo.

The goals of this new program are:

– Facilitate the availability of graphic novels to readers of all ages utilizing public and school libraries.

– Promote learning and literacy through the availability of graphic novels at local libraries.

– Provide library systems with additional resources by which they can purchase graphic novels and comics.

The illustrator and author Lilli Carre designed a special bookplate that will be placed on all of the books donated by SPX. To see the book plate and for more information on the SPX Graphic Novel Gift Program, go to http://www.spxpo.com/graphic-novel-gift-program.

SPX will be held Saturday, September 10 from 11am-7pm and Sunday, September 11, 12-6pm at The North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Admission is $10 for a single day and $15 for both days.

For more information on the Small Press Expo, please visit http://www.spxpo.com.

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It’s the latter part of the week and one day closer to San Diego Comic-Con 2011.  You might have noticed we’ve kicked it into overtime with the posts (yes there’s that many we had to).  Is the increased coverage better?  Worse?  Let us know!  While you ponder that, here’s the news you might have missed.

Around the Blogs:

Kotaku – Week in Comics: A Green Lantern Finale, an X-Men Split, The Old Republic and More New Comics Recommendations – Each week Kotaku brings their highlights of the week’s releases with a focus on video game related comics.

Con Coverage:

Graphic Novel Reporter – San Diego Comic-Con Programming for Librarians and Educators

The Beat – SDCC11: ICv2 conference adds new speakers

The Beat – SDCC11: Geppi launches Fandom Advisory Network

MTV Geek – 10 Off-Beat San Diego Panels You Have To See To Believe

DC The Source – DC Entertainment’s Road to SDCC: Jim Lee Designs Official San Diego Comic-Con Souvenir Book and T-Shirt

CBLDF – CBLDF at Comic-Con: The Panels

The Beat – San Diego Comic-Con changes 2012 preregistration procedure

Around the Tubes Reviews:

IGN – The Homeland Directive

The Daily Blam – The Homeland Directive

Bleeding Cool – The Red Wing #1 and Captain America #1

IGN – X-Men: Schism #1

Complex – Is The Relaunch Of “Captain America” Worth The Hype?

Minnesota Politician Apologizes to Gaiman – Mom Made Him

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English writer Neil Gaiman. Taken at the 2007 ...

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Yesterday news spread quickly that Minnesota House Majority Leader Matt Dean had placed Neil Gaiman on his “hate list” and accused Gaiman of stealing $45,000 from the people of Minnesota after giving a speech.  Dean also called Gaiman a “pencil-necked weasel” (sticks and stones people).

Gaiman went to his blog to explain the situation further, after first giving his non-political credentials.  Gaiman also showed the humor of it all listing four thoughts he has of them.  Gaiman generally thinks that “it’s funny,” he actually likes being on someone’s “hate list” as it reminds him of Nixon and tacks a jab back about the “pencil-necked weasel” part.  Gaiman also sets the record straight saying he received $33,600.  That’s a bit less than the $45,000 (25% less) than Dean claimed, showing that Dean is not only into hyperbole but also a liar.  Gaiman also points out that Dean’s complaining also is a bit hypocritical.  If the man believes in market principles, Gaiman is just taking advantage of that.  Nothing like hypocrisy in politicians.

It also looks like Dean has apologized for the “pencil-neck weasel” comment.  Not because he actually feels bad, but because his mom made him.  From the Minnesota public radio:

“My mom is staying with us right now because my wife’s out of town,” Dean said. “She was very angry this morning and always taught me not to be a name caller. And I shouldn’t have done it, and I apologize.”

Now, can Dean explain the exaggeration (outright lie actually) as to the fee itself?

Minnesota GOP vs. Neil Gaiman

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English writer Neil Gaiman. Taken at the 2007 ...

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In Minnesota, House Republicans are examining state funding for some arts and cultural heritage groups.  On Tuesday they introduced an amendment though would cut funding to some organizations.  Rep. Dean Urdahl who introduced the legislation suggested it was Republican leadership that prompted the move.  The legislation would also force groups to compete for the money.  House Majority Leader Matt Dean said he just reminded Urdahl he had support of the Republican caucus.  But, how does Neil Gaiman get involved in this?

In the Star Tribune article on the subject:

Dean also singled out a $45,000 payment of Legacy money that was made last year to science fiction writer Neil Gaiman for a four-hour speaking appearance. Dean said that Gaiman, “who I hate,” was a “pencil-necked little weasel who stole $45,000 from the state of Minnesota.”

Gaiman addressed the fee last May:

The main reason I got a speaking agency, ten years ago, was because too many requests for me to come and speak were coming in,” Gaiman continued. “And the speaking requests were, and are, a distraction from what I ought to be doing, which is writing. So rather than say no, we’ve always priced me high. Not Tony Blair high, or Sarah Palin high (last time I read about them, they’re about $400,000 and $150,000 respectively). But I’m at the top end of what it costs to bring an author who should be home writing and does not really want a second career as a public speaker to your event. So if you want to pay me to come in and talk, it’s expensive

Gaiman has donated the money (minus commissions) to two charities.  The money was earmarked specifically to bring authors to suburban libraries and if unused did not carry over into the next year (use it or lose it!).

We’ve reached out to House Majority Leader Dean for comment and to see how exactly Gaiman “stole” money from the state of Minnesota.

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It’s the usual Friday news dump, but there was only one big shocker as far as news.  You can find that below as well as other things you might have missed in the last 24 hours.

Around the Blogs:

Bleeding Cool – Gio Spinella And The Politics Of Comics – Interesting news of Canadian councilor Gio Spinella.

IGN – Goodbye, Tokyopop – The American publisher calls it quits in the US, but still is going on elsewhere.

The Beat – A little Tokyopop follow up – Folks react to the news of Tokyopop.

Graphic Novel Reporter – Librarian wins $20,000 Graphic Novel Library Collection at Texas Library Association’s Annual Conference – Congrats Weslaco Public Library

Technique – Students design comic books – Another great example of comics being used in an educational setting.

Con Coverage:

Comic Book Resources – CBR’s MoCCA Festival 2011 Report

Around the Tubes Reviews:

Graphic Novel News – The Books of Magic

Grizzly Bomb – Superman: Earth One

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