A columnist’s view of the current state of the comics page
Actually one columnist’s thoughts on what another columnist had to say about the decline of the comics page, brought to his attention by “Berry’s World” creator Jim Berry.
Posted on: September 25, 2006
Chris Britt wins IPA award
Chris Britt of the The State Journal-Register in Springfield, Illinois won first place for editorial cartoon in the latest Illinois Press Association competition.
Newspaper editor has beef with King Features’s online DailyINK
According to Editor & Publisher, Dean Miller, executive editor of The Post Register in Idaho Falls, sent a letter to King Features Syndicate saying the existence of King’s DailyINK online service may mean King “places little value on syndication fees.” And he wondered if the syndicate should start paying newspapers to run comics.
In Focus: ‘Open Season’ opens in crowded animation season
Steve Moore’s movie, “Open Season,” wasn’t intentionally planned to open up in the fall around the time of traditional hunting season, but sometimes timing is everything in the entertainment industry. Steve ought to know that. In many ways, his entertainment career has been aided by providential good timing since the day he decided to take a swing at cartooning. His “In the Bleachers” submission landed on the editors desk at Tribune Media at the same time another sports cartoon was ending. Pitching the movie idea for “Open Season” to Sony Pictures came at a time when they were just opening their animation studio and were hungry for a great movie project.
FBOFW launches Funny Faces online game
After posting a much discussed (positively) slideshow on how the For Better or For Worse is created, Lynn Johnston’s staff has posted Funny Faces – a kids matching game.
Doug Marlette’s latest book gets good review from Washington Post
Perhaps telling stories comes naturally for natives of the Magnolia State because the storytelling material there is as rich and deep as the topsoil that covers the broad expanse of the Delta.In his second novel, “Magic Time,” Doug Marlette shows that he knows a good Mississippi story when he sees one. He also weaves the best details of each little story into a single big one, demonstrating a grasp of the cultural mind-set of the state as well the conflicts it can impose on its inhabitants and expatriates.As I’ve reported before, this is Doug’s second fictional novel.
Jim Borgman’s blog up for Online Journalism Award
Those of you who read BorgBlog regularly, know that it offers a rich variety of Jim�s sketches, thought processes and comments that don�t appear in print. Even most of his print cartoons now appear in the blog long before they ever go on the press.Check out the complete list at http://www.cyberjournalist.net/news/003723.php.
Paul Conrad to be featured on PBS
Paul Conrad will be spotlighted on the PBS show “Independent Lens” on November 7 according to Daryl Cagle. Conrad is a three time pulitzer winner from the LA Times. Head on over to Paul’s web site to check out the documentary that was created about him. It’s narrated by Tom Brokaw.
United Media to launch new comic in January
Richard Stevens has posted on his blog that his web comic Diesel Sweeties will be syndicated through United Media starting on January 8, 2007.
Is Aaron McGruder AWOL?
Toward the end of Mike Peters column that I referenced in an earlier post, was this line:
How For Better Or For Worse is produced is now online
The folks over at the For Better Or For Worse web site have posted a 42 part slideshow on the production of Lynn Johnston’s feature. Some of the highlights include how many people work the feature (it’s no longer a one-woman job); what tools they use (they’re pretty specific on the type of pens, markers, inks that are used) and the total amount of time it takes for each strip to go down the “assembly line” (about 6 hours per strip).
Who got dumped and picked up this week
The Peoria Journal Star has dropped Mark Tatulli’s Lio this week citing complaints from readers of its “lack of taste and sometimes cruel nature.” The editor wrote that they felt that the promotional strips were more Calvin and Hobbesque (my new word) in nature, but the actual strips were different that what was marketed. They’ve opted to replace Mark’s work with Frazz by Jef Mallett.
Another Mockage blog launches; focuses on number of golf references
Awhile ago, I pointed out a new site called the Silent Penultimate Panel Watch which posted on a daily basis how many comic strips used a silent second to the latest panel. Most days there is at least one.
Bell, Braddock, Jantze and Knight to speak at Schulz Museum
Several cartoonists will be speaking at an upcoming Charles M. Schulz Museum event on the October 21st on the topic of how Peanuts has influenced their work. According to E&P, Darrin Bell Candorville, Paige Braddock Jane’s World, Michael Jantze The Norm, and Keith Knight The K Chronicles are the invited cartoonists. Lee Mendelson, the producer of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown will also speak.
Mike Lester illustrates another children’s book
Mike Lester, editorial cartoonist for The Rome News-Tribune, already has a goodly sum of book titles in his portfolio that he’s illustrated. The latest book is called “Ninety-Three in My Family” and is written by Erica S. Perl. The book’s release date was September 1 and is published by Abrams Books for Young Readers.