Schulz' widow gives $1M to Cartoon Library

Jean Schulz, the widow of Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz, has given $1 million to the Ohio State University Cartoon Library & Museum to support the renovation of Sullivant Hall, the future home of the world’s most comprehensive academic research facility dedicated to documenting printed cartoon art. Jean has also promised another matching gift of $2.5 million if Ohio State raises an equal amount.

“We are very grateful to Jean Schulz for her generous gift, and for her challenge which will encourage everyone who cares about cartoon art to become involved in our project,” said founding curator Lucy Shelton Caswell. “The new Cartoon Museum and Library will be a place of learning and enjoyment for the public and scholars alike.”

Pope groks Spock

On the occasion of the new Star Trek film, Paul Pope illustrates a Spock story in Wired guest-edited by director JJ Abrams.

SPACE HAPPENINGS

From the SPACE PR machine (aka Bob Corby):

Nate Powell, who is an LA Times Book Prize finalist in the Young Adult fiction category (up against the likes of Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman!) for his graphic novel, SWALLOW ME WHOLE will be at SPACE on Saturday and Sunday. SWALLOW ME WHOLE is the first graphic novel since 1992's MAUS to make the list! Find out more at http://www.topshelfcomix.com/ and http://seemybrotherdance.org/

Also just announced SWALLOW ME WHOLE has been nominated for three Will Eisner Awards: Best Graphic Album (New), Best Writer/Artist, and Best Lettering!

On Saturday, April 18, we will be presenting an exhibition of original pages from Carol Tyler’s soon to be released graphic novel “You’ll Never Know Book One: A Good and Decent Man”, published by Fantagraphics Books. The book is the first in a series regarding her father’s World War II experiences. There's additional information on the book and other projects of Carol’s at the University of Cincinnati website. Also, you can read this Publishers Weekly interview.

Jeff Stahler (”Moderately Confused” and editorial cartoonist for the Columbus Dispatch), Steve Boreman (”Little Lost Dog”) and John Kovaleski ("Bo Nanas" and MAD Magazine UGOI) will be on a panel called “The Adventures of a Working Class Syndicated Comic Stripper” at 2:00 Saturday, April 18

Sunday , April 19, We will be presenting the Atomic Indy Artist Comix Show
An exhibition the Cartoon Art of Columbus’ Sunday Comix Group (That's us!).

Two full days of Panels, Programs and Exhibits are posted at http://www.backporchcomics.com/program.htm

Also there are 6 pages of Premiere Comics which will be available at SPACE at http://www.backporchcomics.com/premier_comics.htm

Check out who else is going to be there at the Exhibitor List http://www.backporchcomics.com/space.htm

And don’t forget:

Friday April 17, 2009 3:00-5:00 PM meet some of the SPACE exhibitors at
The Ohio State University Cartoon Library and Museum (formerly the Cartoon Research Library) Open House

Enjoy the Reading Room Gallery Exhibition, Light: A Forgotten 19th Century Humor Magazine, along with behind-the-scenes tours of the library stacks and a special display of treasures from our collection.

There will also be some special treasures out for viewing, including original Bone art by Jeff Smith, original Calvin and Hobbes art by Bill Watterson, and original art by P. Craig Russell.
SPACE Exhibitors will also be working on the annual jam panel.

The first 20 people in the door will receive a free single day pass to SPACE!

The Small Press & Alternative Comics Expo (SPACE)

The Mid-West’s Largest Exhibition of Small Press, Alternative and Creator Owned Comics

April 18 & 19, 2009
Saturday 10am-6pm Sunday 10am-5pm
Aladdin Shrine Complex
Multipurpose Room
3850 Stelzer Rd. Columbus OH
Off I 270 near the Easton Town Center
Free Parking!

Admission $5.00 per day and $8.00 per weekend.
www.backporchcomics.com

Watchmen's Tse to adapt Pope's Battling Boy

According to The Hollywood Reporter.

Rich Watson interview

Some of you may know that I run an awards program, in conjunction with the East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention, called the Glyph Comics Awards, which honors black comics and creators. I recently did an interview over at Comixfan where I talk about it.

Looking for Noel Sickles

"...Chillicothe, Ohio is not only the birthplace of Sickles, but also of Billy Ireland, a longtime cartoonist at the Columbus Dispatch and a mentor to both Sickles and Caniff. To the general public, though, Chillicothe is known as the original capital of Ohio and the home of Mead Paper. Sickles worked for Mead, providing cartoons for the company newsletter. I didn't take a picture of the paper mill, now significantly changed from when he would have worked there. I did visit the Carnegie Library. The library, built in 1907, was where Sickles would spend many hours in the art stacks, studying the great masters. What must it have been like for a young man with artistic ambition in a small town?"

Also: A Paul Pope video interview.

Cartoon Library open house 4/17

Open House at the Cartoon Library & Museum

Date: April 17, 2009
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Location:
Reading Room Gallery
27 West 17th Avenue Mall

Enjoy the Reading Room Gallery Exhibition, Light: A Forgotten 19th Century Humor Magazine, along with behind-the-scenes tours of the library stacks and a display of treasures from our collection, including original Bone art by Jeff Smith, original Calvin and Hobbes art by Bill Watterson, and original art by P. Craig Russell, acclaimed illustrator of Ring of the Nibelung, The Sandman, Hellboy, and Coraline.

This event is in conjunction with SPACE, Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo.

The first 20 people through the door will receive single day passes to SPACE!

The Cartoon Library and Museum

Lakeland CC Comics Symposium 4/3-4

The 6th annual Lakeland Community College Comics Symposium in Kirtland, OH is this Friday and Saturday. Details, including guest speakers and a schedule of events, here.

Sean McKeever returns to Waiting Place

"...Back in New York Comic Con, in February, I had an idea for a new story, but I was kind of struggling with the ending. And then I saw this commission that Mike [Norton] did for somebody of Jeffry and Lora from The Waiting Place. And seeing Mike, today, drawing those characters just lit a fire under my butt to get the story going. So I finally came up with the whole story. I'm scripting it currently. And I'm really geeked to see Mike draw them with his ability now."

Sean McKeever

Comic Me @ Urban Spirit 4/4

No website that I can find; just getting this off of the promo...

The Brush Experience presents Comic Me
featuring the artwork of Freestyle Komics and the sounds of the Liquid Crystal Project
@ Urban Spirit Gallery/Loft
893 East Long St
April 4, 2009
8PM - 12AM every first Saturday
18+ (for the mature and the progressively artistic)
$10 cover at the door

Have you ever wanted to be a superhero? Or imagined having a super power? Maybe be a character in your own comic book... Well now is your chance!!!

We at the Brush Experience are bringin' out our inner comic book hero on canvas!!!

Come out for a night of fun and action... you be the artist and the hero this night!!! We will be featuring local comic book artists Freestyle Komics!!! And the Liquid Crystal Project!!!

LIVE MUSIC, REFRESHMENTS, AND LIVE ART

The Brush Experience is a social experiment combining people and art to yield creative results. It's where everyone can be an artist (if only for one night) while indulging in food and drinks in an inviting and inventive environment. As the evening progresses joint artworks bloom and are shared for all artists to enjoy! Paint, socialize, chill as you create or watch masterpieces being made!

For more info email marshall@soulotheory.com