Kids Comic Con Coming in April
Alex Simmons' excellent kid-friendly comics convention returns to Bronx Community College this April 16. Kids Comic Con is a day of fun for all ages, with workshops, panels, demonstrations, contests, and interactive opportunities, all of which showcase how important comics are to young readers and how comics can help them develop a lifelong love of reading. Mark it on your calendar now and try to attend it you can!
Comic Book Literacy in Dallas
We're big fans of Todd Kent's documentary Comic Book Literacy, an ambitious and entertaining look at the history and impact of the format on educational efforts. So all of us here are happy to see Kent's film will be screened at the Dallas Museum of Art on February 26, with a Q&A immediately following.
Always Be Prepared (for Catastrophe)
Josh Neufeld's graphic work A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge was an incredibly moving in-depth look at several lives affected by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. It's also a book I've recommended to several readers (comics fans and non-fans alike) to great success.
-- John HoganWorld War 3 at Exit Art
New York City cultural center Exit Art is showcasing a comic-based exhibit that may be of interest to many readers: 30 Years of World War 3 Illustrated is a retrospective of artists Seth Tobocman and Peter Kuper's political comic magazine. The exhibit has been running since December and will close on February 4th (there's a closing party running from 7 to 9). Exit Art is at Tenth Ave. and 36th St. in New York City.
Great Graphic Novels for Teens 2011 Is Unveiled
YALSA (the Young Adult Library Services Association) has put out its latest annual Great Graphic Novels for Teens list, a huge compilation of amazing comics. The list is an indispensable reference for parents, teachers, and librarians alike, as well as a nice tribute to the great wealth of different quality comics out there. Good job to all who served on this committee!
-- John HoganA Quick Word About Rasl
For a while now, Jeff Smith's Rasl has been one of my favorite ongoing comics series. Since we don't review individual issues here on GNR, I thought I'd take a minute to say that the newest issue of Rasl (#9) was released in December. So I'm quite late in telling you to go look for it, but nevertheless, I thought I'd point it out.
Comics Get Sexy
New York City's famous Museum of Sex is opening a brand new exhibit, one that features all the risque and taboo comic content that artists covered beginning back in the Great Depression. The adults-only exhibit, named Comics Stripped, is being curated by noted artist Craig Yoe and runs the gamut from the 1930s to the present day and includes just about every kind of sexual fetish and exploit imaginable. A nod to the McCarthy-era blacklisting of comic books is also covered, including the time of Seduction of the Innocent, Frederic Wertham, and the creation of the Comics Code Authority.
-- John HoganNew Contest for Kids Opens
Picture Window Books is sponsoring a new contest to promote its ongoing line of children's books featuring big DC Comics heroes. Their new line focuses on the pets of the superheroes (Batman's dog, Superman's cat, and Wonder Woman's...uh...kangaroo). Turns out the pets fight crime just like their owners! To tie in with the launch, the publisher is starting the contest, which is open to children in grades 1-3. The kids should write an essay about why their own particular pets are super, and the winning entry will get a special ilustration from the series' artist, Art Baltazar.
-- John Hogan
