The News Blog of Comics Culture
Tweet This weekend it’s the Toronto Comic Arts Festival 2013, with the actual event to be held May 11-12 at the Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street in Toronto. Normally I would be listing debuts and parties and whatnot, but the TCAF site already has just about every shred of info you will need.
As you may recall. last month Egyptian cartoonist Magdy El Shafee was arrested during a protest at Abdel Moneim Riyad Square in Cairo. El Shafee was freed after four days, but his arrest is a reminder of the difficulties with free speech and other basic civil liberties going on in Egypt right now.
TweetWe’ve finally got our first footage from the upcoming sci-fi flick, along with some nice behind the scenes action: Chris Evans gets angry, John Hurt looks wise, Tilda Swinton looks like a BAMF.
TweetWell then. Yesterday – St George’s Day in the UK – saw the announcement of a brand new superhero, soon to grace our digital comic shelves: Englishman. Apparently, not a spoof!
Dylan Horrocks, the godfather of New Zealand cartooning, talks about the contemporary scene and the art exhibit he recently curated.
In a chilling reminder of the obstacles free speech still faces around the world, Egyptian political cartoonist Magdy El Shafee was arrested on Friday, and despite many reports that he was freed, the latest news is that he is still being held. El Shafee is a contributor to World War 3 Illustrated, and they reported on his arrest:
Tweet You can tell we’re getting into the comics spring/summer stride as highly desirable books begin hitting the shelves in rapid tandem. Last week saw my postman deliver Nobrow 8, the end of the month sees the launch of the inaugural and very promising looking Tiny Pencil, and in a fortnight ‘s time we get the release [...]
TweetWhile much of the comics and film press has been focusing on various men of metal (iron, steel and adamantium respectively) alongside promising sequels and the lovely Thor, one comic film is being a tad overlooked. Starring Chris Evans, Tilda Swinton, John Hurt, Jamie Bell, Alison Pill, Ed Harris and Octavia Spencer, this looks set [...]
Tweet French cartoonist Frédéric Aristidè who worked under the name Fred has died at age 82. Winner of the 1980 Grand Prix at Angoulême, Fred was best known for Philémon, a long running fantasy strip about a youth who falls through a well to a magical world, accompanied by his loyal donkey. Fred co-created the [...]
Speaking of TCAF, announcements are coming thick and fast. More guests \have been announced since last we checked in, including Rutu Modan, Lisa Hanawalt, and C.F., Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez, Boulet, Jarrett Krosoczka, Frederik Peeters, Patrick McEown , Lauren Barnett, Dennis Lo, Patrick Alexander, T Edward Bak, Ulli Lust, and the Australian Caravan of Comics: Bruce Mutard, Mirranda Burton, Scarlette Baccini, Marijka Gooding, Patrick Alexander, Gregory Mackay and Dan Hayward. As the travelled the furthest crew, you can help pay for their trip via this IndieGogo campaign.
The Doug Wright Awards for Canadian Cartooning have just announced their 2013 finalists. Presented in three categories, the awards recognize the best in Canadian comics, with a uniquely local flavor.
Pakistani school girl Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head by the Taliban for daring to go to school to get an education. Zen Pencils has a fine webcomic about her struggle called MALALA YOUSAFZAI: I have the right.
You may not know the name Boulet, but this French artist is one of the most prolific and talented cartoonists working. Maybe you will recall his disgustingly accomplished 24-hour comic from last year, The Darkness. Or his blog, which includes English versions of his comics. That first link is getting a printed version in the US, courtesy of AdHouseIt’s due in April to tie in with Boulet’s 2013 US tour, and will be printed in a limited quantity. Hopefully this is only the first US edition of Boulet’s work to see print. Here’s a wee preview:
Zainab Akhtar (the newest recruit here at the Beat in case you haven’t noticed) has a series running currently on the Forbidden Planet blog about comics in Singapore, specifically a new line of comics from the publisher Epigram. First up is an interview with Sonny Liew, whose gorgeous art we’ve been admiring for years. Liew acted as a consultant for Epigram’s comics offerings:
The news issue of international literary magazine Words Without Borders is online and it’s their annual GN issue, with comics from around the world on topics from the Spanish Civil War to the political violence of Peru’s Shining Path, organized labor in France and broken homes in South Africa.
Although the Angoulême Comics Festival is the biggest comics event outside of Japan, with 200,000 people visiting art exhibits and lining up for hours to meet cartoonists, is the the most poorly covered in the English language. No minutely updates of what vintage wine is consumed or breaking news on cover artists, Nonetheless, scouring our twitter feed revealed some pictures that give a bit of the flavor:
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