Friday, February 16, 2018
Washington papers on Early Man
Early Man Is a Stop-Motion Delight [in print as Primitive Living]
The director of "Wallace and Gromit" and "Chicken Run" returns with another delightfully bizarre film.
'Early Man,' the latest from hit factory Aardman, is an ordinary underdog-athlete movie [in print as Comic knuckles hit all bumps on the dirt
Washington Post February 16 2018, p. Weekend 25
online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/early-man-the-latest-from-hit-factory-aardman-is-an-ordinary-underdog-athlete-movie/2018/02/12/6c152ff4-0c32-11e8-8890-372e2047c935_story.html
'Early Man' Is a Very Funny Trip to the Past
By A.O. SCOTT
A version of this review appears in print on February 16, 2018, on Page C6 of the New York edition with the headline: Make Way for Silliness and Soccer.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/15/movies/early-man-review-aardman-animations.htmlWashington papers on the Black Panther
'Black Panther' is exhilarating, groundbreaking and more than worth the wait [in print as Behold, a comic book king].
Washington Post February 16 2018, p. Weekend 15-16
'Black Panther' is a revelation but also a reminder of what we've been missing
Washington Post February 15 2018
https://www.washingtonpost.com
'A different kind of superhero': Why 'Black Panther' will mean so much to so many
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog February 9 2018
https://www.washingtonpost.com
'Black Panther's' Ryan Coogler has always been searching for superheroes who look like him
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog February 14 2018
https://www.washingtonpost.
Black Panther is more than a name. It's an identity. [in print as Not-secret identity: 'Black' isn't just part of his name].
Express February 16 2018, p.32
online at https://www.washingtonpost.com
'Black Panther' pops up; Enter Wakanda takes over Red Lounge's space for the weekend.
Frtiz Hahn
Express (February 16, 2018): 3
How celebrities are helping thousands of children see 'Black Panther' for free
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog February 16 2018
https://www.washingtonpost.
'Black Panther' will break box-office records. But could it change the movie business?
Washington Post February 16 2018
https://www.washingtonpost.com
'Black Panther' Shakes Up Marvel With Feeling and Flair
By MANOHLA DARGIS
A version of this review appears in print on February 16, 2018, on Page C1 of the New York edition with the headline: Superheroic, But Intimate.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/0
Anatomy of a Scene | 'Black Panther'
By MEKADO MURPHY
NYTimes.com February 6 2018
Thursday, February 15, 2018
March sequel announced; exhibit to open in NYC
Exclusive: Congressman John Lewis' Next Book, Run, Will Pick Up Where Award-Winning March Left Off
By Lily Rothman
Time.com (February 15 2018): http://time.com/5135822/john-lewis-book-announcement/Washington City Paper on Black Panther
Black Panther is the Marvel Cinematic Universe's First Truly Great Movie
With the film, director Ryan Coogler creates a robust Afrofuturist Shakespearean epic
https://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/film-tv/blog/20992640/black-panther-reviewed
Express on Black Panther
For Ryan Coogler, 'Black Panther' is about the big picture [in print as Black Panther's Big Picture]
Express February 15 2018, p. 40
online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2018/02/15/for-ryan-coogler-black-panther-is-about-the-big-picture/
Wednesday, February 14, 2018
2/17: Justin Jordan at Third Eye in Annapolis
Sean Damien Hill's Black Power exhibit opening photographs
Monday, February 12, 2018
Meet a Local Comics Writer: A Chat with Leslie Tolf
I met Leslie Tolf last week when I was at Politics and Prose last week for the book-signing by Laurie Halse Anderson and Emily Carroll of their collaborative Speak: The Graphic Novel* and began talking with fellow line-standers as one does. Leslie told me she had written a graphic novel, and pulled a copy of her book from the shelves, which I then bought (but haven't read yet as there are too many signings to go to), and then she agreed to do our standard interview. It all happened roughly like that, and it makes me glad I live around DC where interesting people are everywhere.
What type of comic work or cartooning do you do? Your website describes When the Rules Aren’t Right, as "a graphic novel for all ages. It is the story of Emma, your basic fed-up teen, tired of parents who only talk about work and money, a self-obsessed older sister and a college-educated brother who’s moved back home and seems destined to stay there. She hates her chores, her know-nothing classes and she’s oblivious to the bigger world out there that could use her help."
I wrote When the Rules Aren’t Right, a graphic novel about worker’s rights and activism, because kids under 20 are now growing up in this country without the job safety net that was essentially created by decades of struggle by unions and other progressive groups.
I always loved the Toni Morrison quote, “if there’s a book you really want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” I had been thinking about this book for 10 years, but when I left my CEO job it took exactly 9 months to write it. Literally, a "labor" of love.
How do you do it?
Thumbnail by Leslie Tolf. |
I began my career in DC as a graphic designer in my 20s, but knew I wouldn’t be good enough so I went on to get an MBA and became CEO of a labor organization, called Union Plus. I was able to do thumbnails of When the Rules Aren’t Right, based on my rusty art skills.
I felt it was really important to have women illustrators, and in particular women of color. So I decided I would follow Neil Gaiman's Sandman approach, and have each chapter illustrated by a different illustrator, but ones who were female graduates of either RISD or School of Visual Arts.
Final art by Sophie Page |
Being a female CEO in the union movement for two decades, I felt the (not-so) subtle discrimination of a leadership structure to this day dominated by white men. In my encore career as a graphic novelist, I feel it’s important to help people of color and women rise up in this very impactful medium of graphic novels.
I am a stereotypical Midwesterner, born and raised in the Chicago suburbs while never using four-letter words. As such, I was living in a white middle class “bubble” until I went to college and moved to Washington, DC. Working in labor unions, and with non-profit organizations, opened my eyes to the vast inequities of the system. As Alice Walker said, “activism is the rent I pay for living on this planet.”
I live in Brookland after two decades on Capitol Hill, and I feel I’m finally home.
Chapter 3 on Equal Pay
Illustrator: Molly Walsh
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Who are your influences?
Oooooo! Favorite question. Neil Gaiman and the Sandman series was my portal in, but here are some current idols:
I’ve recently been asked to do a graphic novel series based on When the Rules Aren’t Right, on issues like animal activism, environmental concerns, civil rights, and women’s rights. A kind of "Magic Treehouse Kids Grow Up and Become Radicals!" Graphic novels aimed at a middle-school ages (8-15) can be explosive as this is when kids are exploring their truths, and seeing injustice in this world. They’re optimistic and engaged.
It’s funny, I just bought Daniel Pink’s new book, When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, and it’s confirmed what I’ve experienced. Write in the morning. And be aware of your personal energy slumps (mine are right after lunch). If you can swim with the tide, it’s much easier. Other than that, more coffee.
This is a cheat but my favorite museum to take visitors to is the Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore. It blows everyone’s mind, and it has the best museum shop in the country.
How about a favorite local restaurant?
I have to give a shout out to Brookland’s Finest, the BBQ is amazing. Also Fox Loves Taco, near the Arts Walk. I also love to hang out at my local college bookstore, Barnes and Noble, where the staff are super-smart and make a mean cappuccino with suger-free vanilla.
Do you have a website or blog?
Comic Riffs on the Black Panther's history
Everything you need to know about the Black Panther
Unfamiliar with the character or just need a refresher? Here's a primer on comics' most popular black superhero.
Captain America movie in DC revisited
https://brightestyoungthings.com/articles/scene-in-dc-captain-america-the-winter-soldier
PR: SPX 2018 Exhibitor lottery opens today
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