Cartoon & Comic News

TALKBACK: What are 2010 graduates doing?

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:10:29 -0500

Here’s a talkback post dedicated to all the students who have graduated from animation schools in 2010. Now that it’s been three to four months since graduation, I’m curious to hear who’s had success finding a job in the animation industry. Would love to hear from students all over about what the job situation is [...]
Read more

Deneroff’s Law about Computer Animation

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:10:27 -0500

Animation historian Harvey Deneroff writes perceptively about animation past and present, and not so long ago, he wrote something about computer animation that caught my attention and which helps to explain the ever-increasing complexity of animation imagery. He calls it “Deneroff’s Law”:In 1958, C. Northcote Parkinson, famously stated in Parkinson’s Law: The Pursuit of Progress, [...]
Read more

Pixar’s Newt on Facebook

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:10:25 -0500

In case you were wondering what Pixar’s abandoned film Newt might have looked like, apparently someone at Pixar has posted an image gallery on Facebook earlier today. Check it out here.(Thanks, Keith Krail)
Read more

Jerry’s Labor Day Weekend

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:10:24 -0500

There’s a holiday weekend coming up – and as usual, I’ll be spending most of it in a darkened theatre – starting tonight! I’ll start the long weekend by showing vintage 16mm musical films and cartoons to open the Janet Klein show tonight at the Steve Allen Theatre. Tonight’s show is a party to celebrate [...]
Read more

Marge Champion in Life Magazine

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:10:22 -0500

Yesterday’s post about Marge Champion (née Belcher) reminded me of an article in the April 4, 1938 issue of Life about her role in Snow White. The two-page piece has some nice images of her acting alongside Louis Hightower, the movement model for Prince Charming. The article also mentions that “Miss Belcher’s Prince Charming in [...]
Read more

Disney Afternoon vs. Tiny Toons (1989)

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:10:21 -0500

Rummaging through some old paperwork, animator Mike Kazaleh recently came across a Disney TV publicity packet he obtained in 1989 while working on Tiny Toon Adventures. This was material sent to TV stations around the country to prepare them for the coming syndicated package The Disney Afternoon. What surprised him (and I) was that the [...]
Read more

Hanna Barbera size chart

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:10:20 -0500

Check this out: A size chart of about 600 different Hanna-Barbara characters – from Ruff and Reddy (1957) to The Powerpuff Girls (1998) – drawn to scale by Chilean-based graphic designer Juan Pablo Bravo. Click Here.(Thanks, Kelly Aarons)
Read more

Epic Mickey – Part 2

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:10:20 -0500

Part two of the opening cinematic from the forthcoming Epic Mickey video game (Part One we posted here) – this time with 30% more Oswald!(Thanks, Matthew Gaastra)
Read more

Happy Birthday, Marge Champion and Willis Pyle!

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:10:19 -0500

With all the RIP posts recently, it’s refreshing to hear some news about animation veterans who are alive. Today is the 91st birthday of Marge Champion. Tomorrow is the 96th birthday of Willis Pyle. If you don’t know who these talented individuals are (or even if you do), it’s worth heading over to John Canemaker’s [...]
Read more

Cat Shit, Too

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:10:18 -0500

Not to be confused with Cat Shit One — Scoop Away Kitty Litter has been producing an animated series for their website. The Adventures of Clumpy and Crumbly: The Litterbox Clumps, directed by Eric Makila and Jamie Webster (as “Borthololmule Flores”) from Toronto’s Alchemy, is as cute as stop-mo cat litter can be. Here’s a [...]
Read more

Remembering Satoshi Kon

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:10:16 -0500

Japanese animation director Satoshi Kon died last week of pancreatic cancer; he leaves behind a small though curiously dramatic oeuvre. Kon began his career as a comics artist, soon emerging as a talented background and layout artist. He would later become a director whose deliberate storyboarding and incisive narrative style were freakishly effective. Satoshi Kon's feature films 'Perfect Blue' (1997), 'Millennium Actress' (2001), and 'Paprika' (2006), will endure.
Read more

Animation Video Gallery 2010 (August)

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:10:16 -0500

Six items are profiled: a beautiful though somber student film from Germany; video on the humorous learning curve of a hungry caveman; a claymation music video for Australian solo-artist Sam Buckingham; and a look at the brand expansion and redesign of Cartoon Network; among others. Published and discussed here are a selection of international animation in the news. Video and synopsis available for each.
Read more

Animation Industry Hiring News 2010 (August)

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:10:15 -0500

Noted new hires and promotions in the business of producing and distributing animation, visual effects, and/or children's entertainment; for the month of August 2010. News from the past month ranges from National Geographic Kids and Family (U.S.) to Mango Distribution (Southeast Asia). There are a few key hires in the field of audience research as well. More vfx studios bringing in experienced hands.
Read more

Dan Reynolds profiled in alumni publication

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:10:12 -0500

Reynolds Unwrapped creator Dan Reynolds was profiled by his alma mater State University of New York at Oswego. The alumni publication article can be downloaded here (pdf). They highlight Dan’s struggle with cancer and how it has affected his cartooning. Reynolds was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2008 and underwent a particularly rough regimen of [...]

Ron Rogers laid off by the South Bend Tribune

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:10:11 -0500

Rob Tornoe is reporting that South Bend Tribune editorial cartoonist Ron Rogers has been let go. Ron joined the paper in 2005 after three years of freelancing for them. Ron tells Rob, “I really can’t say anything bad about this. The Tribune has done well by me over the years. I was told in late [...]

In the Bleachers celebrates 15 years

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:10:09 -0500

Congrats go out to Steve Moore today. His feature, In The Bleachers, is celebrating its 15th year in syndication. Steve has had an odd journey into cartooning. He started out in newspapers as a journalist and editor. He came up with In the Bleachers while working as an editor in the Maui News. He then [...]

DJ Coffman publishes ebook on revenue streams

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:10:09 -0500

DJ Coffman, creator of Yirmumah and Hero By Night (which is now in development as a live action TV) has published an ebook entitled “CASH for CARTOONIST$” – detailing 15 methods he’s used to make money through cartooning. You can read a description of the 15 methods on his website. Some of the 15 ways [...]

Dave Coverly to teach comic workshop

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:10:08 -0500

Speed Bump creator Dave Coverly will be holding two workshops on the 21st and 23rd to work with area students on creativity of the cartooning process. The classes are free for local Wisconsin students.

Paul Conrad “I Con” exhibit opens in Valencia

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:10:07 -0500

The College of the Canyons’ Art Gallery in Valencia, CA is hosting an exhibit of work by three time Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist Paul Conrad. The exhibit is entitled “I, Con: The Brilliant Work of Paul Conrad” and runs through the end of September.

Rogers last staff African American editorial cartoonist

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:10:06 -0500

Rob Tornoe, who broke the news that Ron Rogers had lost his job as the full-time South Bend Tribune editorial carrtoonist, writes that Ron was the only African American staff editorial cartoonist . Rogers will also leave behind the mantle of being the only African American staff newspaper cartoonist in the country, a distinction he [...]

Controversial Cagle cartoon hits front page of Mexican papers

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:10:05 -0500

MSNBC editorial cartoonist Daryl Cagle’s has managed to upset many in Mexico with a recent Mexican Flag cartoon. At least two Mexican newspapers have published it on their front page. The cartoon in question depicts the eagle featured on the Mexican flag gunned down (the whole flag is bullet ridden). Regarding the controversy, he writes: [...]

Paul Conrad passes away at age 86

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:10:04 -0500

Three time Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Conrad has passed away at the age of 86 surrounded by family MSNBC reports. He was fierce in his liberalism and expressed it with a stark, unmistakable visual style. Southern California political junkies for decades would start their day either outraged or delighted at a Conrad drawing. The Times [...]

Sergio Aragones v Mark Waid on free content

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:10:02 -0500

Via Tom Richmond’s blog is a story on Comics Beat detailing a heated exchange between famed MAD cartoonist Sergio Aragones and Comic book writer (and Harvey Award Keynote speaker) Mark Waid over free content – the topic of Mark’s speech. It was mostly pep talk, partly an entreaty “not to be afraid of the future [...]

Disney Remixes Old Cartoons into Blam!

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:10:24 -0500

Brew reader Topher writes, “I saw these on the Disney channel. They are called BLAM! and they are horrendous. Disney cartoons with America’s Funniest Home Videos style commentary and horrible music running over every second of footage. Why they don’t just show the cartoons I have no idea.”Personally, I have no problem with remixing footage [...]
Read more

History Detectives

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:10:24 -0500

A few weeks ago I recieved a call from the fine folks at the PBS show History Detectives. Seems they had someone who found a cache of animation cels, but couldn’t figure out who the characters were, and wondered if these cels had any historical significance. I met up with history detective Tukufu Zuberi and [...]
Read more

CBTV Student Fest: Pdingpdoong

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:10:24 -0500

We’re going to India for this weeks’ episode of the Cartoon Brew TV Student Animation Festival. Pdingpdoong is directed by Krishna Chandran A. Nair, Manasi Parikh, Nupur Mukherjee, and Chewang Lepcha. To read notes from the filmmakers or to make comments and ask them questions about it, visit Cartoon Brew TV.
Read more

“My Dog Tulip” opening in New York

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:10:22 -0500

Paul Fierlinger’s animated feature My Dog Tulip opens an exclusive two-week run on September 1st at the Film Forum in New York. It opens later elsewhere in the US (complete list of cities here). Fierlinger is an exceptional and exceptionally devoted animation filmmaker (he made the artwork for his film with only one other person—his [...]
Read more

Kihachiro Kawamoto, RIP

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:10:20 -0500

It’s not a good week to be a Japanese animation legend. Stop motion animator and puppeteer Kihachiro Kawamoto, passed away last Monday at age 85. The cause of death was pneumonia. From Wikipedia:Born in 1925, from an early age Kihachiro Kawamoto was captivated by the art of doll and puppet making. After seeing the works [...]
Read more

Illusionist Producer Threatens Animator who Worked on Film

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:10:19 -0500

Bob Last, producer of Sylvain Chomet’s The Illusionist, sent a threatening email to one of the animators who worked on the movie because that animator had the temerity to promote the film on his blog. Animator Victor Ens posted a few pencil tests of HIS own work which prompted this ridiculous over-the-top letter from the [...]
Read more

The Sunday Funnies (8/29/10)

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:10:18 -0500

Slim pickings this week: Lio (8/26) by Mark Tatulli; The Argyle Sweater (8/22) by Scott Hilburn; and Reality Check (8/27) by Dave Whammond.(Thank you Jim Lahue, Kurtis Findlay, Charles Brubaker and Ed Austin)
Read more

Saturday Book Review

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:10:17 -0500

Here’s a roundup of few new books that several publishers and authors were kind enough to send my way:ANIMATED PERFORMANCE (Ava Publishing) by Nancy Beiman is an instant classic. There have been many many “how-to” books written by current and past animation masters in recent years, many of them quite good (Richard Williams and Eric [...]
Read more

CBTV Student Fest 5: Pdingpdoong

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:10:16 -0500

By Krishna Chandran A. Nair, Manasi Parikh, Nupur Mukherjee, and Chewang Lepcha. Two playful and naughty schoolboys have a unique perspective on life.
Read more

Shelter Stories

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:10:16 -0500

Speaking of animator Paul Fierlinger (as we did yesterday), The Animal Shelter Project and the Humane Society has brought Fierlinger together with cartoonist Patrick McDonnell (Mutts) to create six public service spots based on the book Mutts Shelter Stories.According to producer Peter Barg, “McDonnell felt Paul’s ability to capture true-to-nature body language was the perfect [...]
Read more

Lex Luther, Joker parody of Calvin & Hobbes

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:10:13 -0500

The latest issue of Superman/Batman contains an awesome parody of Calvin and Hobbes featuring Lex Luther and the Joker as they discuss ways to destroy their arch enemies. The cartoon was down by Brian Azzerello and Lee Bermejo and is brilliantly executed – line and ink work are very Watterson-esque. Click image above for larger [...]

Ed Power talks about the cancellation of My Cage

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:10:12 -0500

When I read yesterday that My Cage was coming to an end, I dashed off an email to Ed Power, co-creator of the strip, for more details. Below is his answers to my questions: How did this come about? We just weren’t in enough papers to make it profitable for KFS to continue printing us. [...]

Are you getting paid all of your royalties?

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:10:10 -0500

I received an email from Stu Rees. For those not familiar, Stu is an entertainment lawyer that specializes in visual arts – like cartoons. He’s also a cartoonist himself. He also works with the National Cartoonist Society on legal matters. He forwarded me an email he posted on another cartooning bulletin board regarding Reprographic royalties. [...]

My Cage to come to end on October 31

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:10:09 -0500

Ed Power, co-creator of My Cage has announced on his website that My Cage will end on October 31. The strip’s Twitter account made the announcement stating, “Well, that’s it. We’re cancelled. Thanks for the support guys.” In another post, Ed wrote, “I feel like my childhood dream was shot point blank through the eyes.” [...]

Norris under FBI protection, reaches out to Muslims

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:10:08 -0500

Pete Jackson has interviewed Molly Norris, the accidental creator of “Everyone Draw Mohammed Day.” He reports that she is under FBI protection after radical Islamic cleric Anwar al-Awlaki placed her on a execution list. He also details how Molly has reached out to members of the Muslim community and has received a cold shoulder from [...]

Tom Hart launching cartoon school in Florida

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:10:07 -0500

Tom Spurgeon reports that cartoonist and comics educator Tom Hart is starting up a Sequential Art school in Gainesville FL. The target date to open is 2011. From the report it appears that the project is an extension of a current workshop that offers space for workshops, gallery shows and performances for artists in the [...]

Mallett to participate in triathlon challenge

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:10:05 -0500

If you thought getting to and participating in your last book signing was a hassle, Jef Mallett, creator of Frazz, is taking it to the next level. This weekend Jef will be participating in a trio of endurance events: Lifetime Chicago Triathlon Triple Challenge on Saturday and the Sprint and International-distance events on Sunday. And [...]

Washington Post profiles Frank Cho

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:10:04 -0500

The Washington Post has posted an extensive profile of Liberty Meadows creator Frank Cho. The profile is the cover story for this Sunday’s Washington Post Magazine. The story goes into his history with the strip, his personal life challenges and his work with Marvel. It also discusses his attempts to penetrate the French market. The [...]

Jim Toomey featured on TED Talk

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:10:03 -0500

Sherman’s Lagoon creator Jim Toomey was recently a featured TED Talk speaker. TED is explained as, “Riveting talks by remarkable people, free to the world” and being a TED speaker is a high privilege. Jim was part of a presentation on panel of speakers talking about Mission Blue – a project aimed at creating marine [...]

3D movie attendance is trending downward

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:10:01 -0500

The Wrap reports that 3D movies are not doing well in theaters anymore citing higher ticket costs and lesser quality movies rushing in to capitalize on the craze. After nearly 80 percent of those who saw “Avatar” saw it in 3D, it was assumed that the format would quickly overtake theatrical distribution. But 3D’s box-office [...]

The Velvet Mouse Show

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:10:33 -0500

Jetset Studios in Los Angeles creates online campaigns and internet video for the major Hollywood studios. But between projects the studio has been quietly developing The Velvet Mouse Show. Created by studio co-founders Russell Scott and Patrick Young, The Velvet Mouse Show is anchored by a 2D cartoon that is a very deliberate love letter [...]
Read more

ASIFA-Hollywood’s Student Film Festival

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:10:32 -0500

The ASIFA-Hollywood’s Animation Educators Forum Student Animation Film Festival will take place Saturday, November 6th at Cal State Long Beach. The event is open to all and there will be a full day of film screenings, panels and portfolio reviews, ending with an awards ceremony and a reception. The First place winner will receive their [...]
Read more

Cartoon Network’s MAD

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:10:31 -0500

First look at Warner Animation’s new MAD cartoon series. It starts airing September 6th on Cartoon Network.
Read more

Medusa by Nick DiLiberto

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:10:30 -0500

Nick DiLiberto is an animator currently working in Japan. He recently completed a fully animated 2D short film and just uploaded it to YouTube. He sent it to us with this note: “I’m a really big fan of Cartoon Brew and was hoping you could watch my film and tell me what you think and, [...]
Read more

Teat Beat of Sex by Signe Baumane

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:10:28 -0500

The first three episodes of Signe Baumane’s outrageous Teat Beat of Sex, a funny and courageous fifteen-part series of lectures from a woman’s point of view. Watching these semi-autobiographical shorts makes one realize how little animation there is that expresses a personal viewpoint about sex. They’re NSFW as are most good things in life.
Read more

Day & Night: The Book

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:10:26 -0500

I’m not hiding my enthusiasm for Teddy Newton’s short Day & Night, and neither is Pixar. Instead of releasing a Little Golden Book based on the short, as they had for several previous shorts, the studio contracted with Chronicle Books to produce a handsome little hardback edition. Teddy wrote and drew this adaptation and its [...]
Read more

Lost Fleischer Found: Ace Of Spades

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:10:24 -0500

Cartoon historian Tom Stathes continues to amaze me with his rare finds and research into silent-era and early talkie animation. Tom has recently begun a regular series of public screenings in the New York area, highlighting many gems from his remarkable collection. Next Friday at Attic Studios in Long Island City, Stathes is collaborating with [...]
Read more

The Battle of the Animation Bands

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:10:22 -0500

A Battle of Animation Studio Bands? Women In Animation International (WIA) is planning a “Battle of the Animation Bands” concert, an evening of indie music, to be held in late September in Hollywood that will feature bands created at animation, visual effects and game studios. Bands will be selected by the Women in Animation [...]
Read more

MONDAY: Cartoon Dump @ 8pm

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:10:22 -0500

If you’re hot and tired and pissed off in Los Angeles this week, my monthly live comedy/cartoon revue, Cartoon Dump, will snap you out of it. Join us this Monday night at 8pm. This month we celebrate Summer with special guest comedians J. Elvis Weinstein (from Cinematic Titanic) and Blaine Capatch. I’ll be there with [...]
Read more

Dilla

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:10:21 -0500

An armadillo lives in a perfect world that is threatened when a hunter enters the scene. Directed by Mike Klim, Stanley Moore, Dominic Pallotta and Mikey Sauls, Dilla was produced at Sarasota Florida’s Ringling College of Art + Design.(Thanks, Lindsey Olivares)
Read more

Genoma Animation Begins Work on 'Mau'

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:10:18 -0500

Maurice is old, really old. He's 99-years-old. Fortunately, after an eighty-something year Mediterranean siesta, he still has the spirit of a kid aged only ten. In the animated series 'Mau,' from Genoma Animation (Granada, Spain), an amusing old guy strikes out with a bunch of his aging cronies to live life to the fullest. Accompanying Mau is his grand niece Sofia, whose young patience and maturity he finds rather boring. Video preview inside.
Read more

The Hub News: Animation Additions

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:10:17 -0500

Hasbro and Discovery's kid's cable channel The Hub nears launch. Animation scheduled to air include 'Dennis
Read more

Brown Bag Films Targets Features

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:10:16 -0500

Dublin, Ireland's Brown Bag Films is early into a long-term plan to co-produce their first computer animated feature film. The animation studio's managing director, recently interviewed by Irish media, unveils the company's patient tip-toe into the land of features. In the meantime, Brown Bag Films continues work on CG preschool programs 'The Octonauts' and 'Doc McStuffins.'
Read more

Korea Animation Tackles the Language Arts: 'Magic Hanja'

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:10:15 -0500

'Magic Hanja' is the story of a young adventurer who uses Chinese ideograms to cast magnificent spells over ill-intentioned beasts and demon-folk. The feature animation 'Magic Hanja' is based on a popular series of educational comics published throughout South Korea. The film is directed by Yoon Yeong-gi ('Avatar: the Last Airbender,' 'Dae Janggeum,' 'Wonderful Days'). Video trailer inside.
Read more

'Bleach' Anime Back on TV

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:10:14 -0500

VIZ Media's 'Bleach' returns to late night cable television with new episodes later in the month. After rescuing a dear friend from the clutches of the espada, Ichigo returns to Karakura Town to serve as guardian for the daughter of a royal family of the Soul Society. In other news, VIZ will distribute all of Season Six as a DVD Set in a few weeks.
Read more

Women still secondary characters in comics

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:10:13 -0500

A recent paper in presented to the American Sociological Association suggests that female characters in the largest (most read) comic strips in America treat women characters more as props than leading characters. Conclusions in the report are based on studying Blondie, Beetle Bailey, Family Circus, Hagar, Garfield and Dilbert for one full year. An analysis [...]

2010 Ignatz Award nominees announced

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:10:12 -0500

The 2010 Ignatz Award nominees have been announced. The award is given for outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning. Here are this year’s nominees: Outstanding Artist Eddie Campbell, Alec: The Years Have Pants (A Life-Sized Omnibus) (Top Shelf Productions) Al Columbia, Pim & Francie: The Golden Bear Days (Fantagraphics Books) Mike Dawson, Troop 142 (self-published [...]

Piccolo draws comics of tweets

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:10:11 -0500

A couple of weeks ago, I pointed out that Paul Sabourin was matching Kanye West’s tweets to New Yorker Cartoons. Tina’s Groove creator Rina Piccolo is taking it one step further and drawing original cartoons of other people’s Twitter tweets.

Archie comic heading into action adventure story

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:10:10 -0500

The Gazette (NJ) has a profile on Archie comic book artist Fernando Ruiz who was tapped to draw a action-adventure version of Archie that is due out in the latter part of September. The title of the four-part series is The Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E. a play on the 1960′s The Man From U.N.C.L.E. TV series. [...]

ArcaMax Publishing picks up five new comics

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:10:08 -0500

ArcaMax Publishing news and entertainment provider by email, has added five new comic strips to its Funnies page: Dilbert, Luann, Get Fuzzy, Pearls Before Swine and 9 Chickweed Lane. Each strip is available for free with an email subscription and featured in the Funnies section at ArcaMax.com. The five strips are syndicated and distributed by [...]

StoryCorps produces animated short series

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:10:07 -0500

Every Friday morning on my way to work, I listen to StoryCorp at the end of NPR’s Morning Edition. I was happy to see an email from StoryCorps telling me that they’ve produced a series of animated shorts of some of the stories collected through their program. You can check them out at their website. [...]

Six more cartoonists join Cartoonist Studio

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:10:06 -0500

Last June, I directed your attention to a newly launched site by eight cartoonists (Tom Batiuk, Dave Coverly, Greg Evans, Peter Guren, Jeff Keane, Rick Kirkman, Mike Luckovich and Jerry Scott) to showcase their studios and their work. They’ve added six more cartoonists: Chuck Ayers (Crankshaft), Jenny Campbell (Flo and Friends), Brian Crane (Pickles), Jan [...]

Mankoff responds to New Yorker/Kanye tweet mashup

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:10:04 -0500

Cartooning “tweets” has been a rage of late. I’ve reported that Paul Sabourin started pairing New Yorker cartoons with Kanye West’s tweets and yesterday I posted news that Tina’s Groove creator Rina Piccolo was drawing original sketches of other people’s tweets. And with that post, I learned that BECK has been doing this for a [...]

Podcasts: Scott Stantis, Turnbloom, Bob Weber, Jr.

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:10:03 -0500

Prickly City creator and Chicago Tribune editorial cartoonist Scott Stantis is back into podcasting. This time with Tribune columnist Eric Zorn. The show is called Prickly Pair Podcast and is produced by Kristin Samuelson. Head over to Scott’s blog for details or click this link to download now. iTunes subscriptions are coming soon. Bob Weber [...]

Media
Read more

National Portrait Gallery Presents Portrait of Charles M. Schulz

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:10:01 -0500

A photograph of Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz (1922-2000) will be presented to the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in a ceremony for invited guests Oct. 1. The event recognizes the cartoonist’s impact on millions of people worldwide and coincides with commemorations surrounding the 60th anniversary of “Peanuts.” The 1986 photograph, created by acclaimed portraitist Yousuf [...]

Disney interview in TV Guide (1961)

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:10:32 -0500

Yesterday, I had a chance to once again plow into Stuart Shostak’s extensive archive of TV Guide back issues. This time I found two parts of a 1961 interview with Walt Disney, (The Latter Day Aesop), mainly discussing moving his programs from ABC to NBC. Walt wasn’t too happy with ABC back then. Of course, [...]
Read more

CalArts Looks East

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:10:31 -0500

Artwork by Phil Rynda (left) and Fran KrauseTwo people doesn’t exactly qualify as a trend, but it’s worth acknowledging that CalArts’s character animation program hired two new teachers this fall who are East Coast-educated. Phil Rynda, the lead character designer of Adventure Time, announced last week on his Twitter that he’ll be teaching character design [...]
Read more

HOW-TO: Combining Handmade Models + After Effects

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:10:30 -0500

Ru Kuwahata and Max Porter, the cute animation couple who runs Tiny Inventions, created this video explaining their quirky work process that combines handmade models with After Effects puppetry. They applied this technique most recently to the short film Something Left, Something Taken, which is their most elaborate work to date.(via Motionographer)
Read more

Cap’n Crunch Retro

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:10:29 -0500

As we mourn the seemingly non-stop multilation of the beloved cartoon characters of our youth, let’s stop to applaud the decision by the fine folks at Quaker Oats, who have just started selling a line of Cap’n Crunch cereals with the original appealing Jay Ward box designs (pictured above right). It’s
Read more

The Sunday Funnies (8/15/10)

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:10:28 -0500

This week Beetle Bailey (8/11) by Mort Walker; Mallard Fillmore (8/9) by Bruce Tinsley; My Cage (8/8) by Ed Powers and Melissa DeJesus; Rubes (8/8) by Leigh Rubin; Strange Brew (8/11) by John Deering; and Reality Check (8/9) by Dave Whammond. (Thanks, Jim Lahue, Kurtis Findlay and Ed Austin)
Read more

Animated Conan TBS Promo

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:10:28 -0500

This brief animated promo marking Conan O’Brien’s move to TBS this fall is a lot of fun. It’s a clear nod to Terry Gilliam and other Seventies TV show openings. Incorporating more animation into the show would be a great way for Conan to distinguish himself from the crowded late-night field. Was this promo done [...]
Read more

Report from Disney Feature studio: “Grim”

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:10:27 -0500

According to Local 839 business rep Steve Hulett, who visited Disney Feature Animation a few hours ago, “morale is lower than a dachshund’s belly, since most of the artists and technicians were given their notices in July, and layoffs now loom.” He also writes on the union blog that “Disney Feature Animation’s atmosphere, in fact, [...]
Read more

Tales From Earthsea talkback

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:10:26 -0500

Opening in several major U.S. cities today (New York, L.A., San Francisco, Seattle, etc.) is Studio Ghibli’s Tales of Earthsea, from director Goro Miyazaki (Hayao’s son). The L.A. Times was not impressed. The San Francisco Chronicle praised its many action sequences. The New York Times found it “stolid and humorless”. The big question is, to [...]
Read more

Warner Bros. developing live action/CG Bugs Bunny movie

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:10:25 -0500

Put down your pitch forks over Yogi Bear. We may have a bigger problem.Nikki Finke is reporting that Warner Bros has hired Elf screenwriter David Berenbaum to write Bugs Bunny, a live action/CG feature film. The images above are from a 1950s Viewmaster slide set. Why do I suspect these slides will be more visually [...]
Read more

The Music of DC Comics

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:10:24 -0500

Animation fans should be aware of the upcoming compilation CD, The Music of DC Comics: 75th Anniversary Collection. Why? Because most of the music (not all) comes from the animated cartoon legacy of DC characters. The compilation begins with Sammy Timberg’s 1941 theme from Max Fleischer’s Superman cartoons, then moves through the decades. Theme songs [...]
Read more

Pixar Animation Masterclass Heads to Vancouver

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:10:22 -0500

Sponsored by the Vancouver Institute of Media Arts, a pair of Pixar's veteran character animator/storyboard artists will be lecturing on everything from acting in animation to storyboard composition. The event just sold out, and will be taking place in late September 2010. VanArts (Vancouver, BC) is home to degree programs in 2D character animation, digital photography, and game art.
Read more

DQE Animation + Nick India Prepare New Animation

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:10:20 -0500

A new children's TV animation, 'Keymon Ache,' is entering production soon at DQ Entertainment (India). Nickelodeon India promises to find the new program a home on its international networks in the distant future, but until then DQE adds another important, co-financed title to its burgeoning schedule of projects in production.
Read more

PBS Kids Go! Writing Contest Announces Winners

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:10:20 -0500

A contest geared toward getting kids to flex their multimedia skills has concluded; winners selected from roughly twenty-five thousand entries. The PBS Kids Go! Writing Contest emphasized storytelling through public media. Winning submissions, judged by a panel of published author/illustrators, are now viewable online.
Read more

CG 'Angelina Ballerina' on Home Video

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:10:19 -0500

The new 'Angelina Ballerina' animated series, produced in CG, makes its Stateside debut on DVD later this month with 'Angelina Ballerina: Love to Dance.' The DVD contains five episodes, and introduces Angelina to a new dance academy, and other styles of music and dance. HIT Ent. and Lions Gate have already planned a second DVD release, scheduled for October 2010.
Read more

'Tytania' Anime Space Opera Coming to DVD

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:10:18 -0500

In the return of a classically-modeled space opera, 'Tytania' is about a wealthy and influential family of interstellar rulers upended by a small rebel uprising. 'Tytania,' distributed by Section23 Films, focuses on the political scheming and intergalactic manhunt deep at the heart of the Tytania empire's greatest struggles.
Read more

Throwback: 'Princess Tutu'

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:10:17 -0500

A comprehensive review of a new anime classic, 'Princess Tutu,' which breaks boundaries as a beautiful presentation of animation, music, and story. Inspired by popular European fairy tales and classical ballet, 'Princess Tutu' is the ballad about a duck who becomes a human girl in order to help a sad prince. A must-see for any fan of Japanese animation, traditional storytelling, and classical music.
Read more

post-SICAF 2010, South Korea Animation News

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:10:16 -0500

The 14th Seoul International Cartoon
Read more

Cartoon Art Museum to host Comics 4 Comix

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:10:15 -0500

From the Cartoon Art Museum in San Franciso: Comics and comix collide as the funnies meet the funny in the sixth annual fundraiser and silent art auction for San Francisco’s Cartoon Art Museum. Join the Bay Area’s funniest folk for a night of food, drink, and entertainment, and bid on original art by some of [...]

Green Eggs and Ham turns 50

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:10:14 -0500

“Green Eggs and Ham” – the book Dr. Seuss created on a bet with his editor that he could write a book using only 50 words or less – has turned 50 today. The book has only 49 words and is one of Dr. Seuss’ best sellers. Here’s a video of the Reverend Jesse Jackson [...]

Which strips are best positioned to replace Cathy? (UPDATED)

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:10:13 -0500

With the announcement that Cathy Guisewhite is retiring her comic strip Cathy after 34 years, a ripple of excitement was felt through the syndicated comic strip industry. There are a dozen 1,000+ client comic strips on the market right now. Very few of them will actually retire. So when Cathy exits the funny pages in [...]

AACK!! Cathy set to retire in October

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:10:11 -0500

Cathy Guisewite, the creator of Cathy, has announced that she will retire her strip on October 3 (October 2 for dailies) citing the need to spend more time with family and pursue other creative opportunities. “After almost 34 years of meeting newspaper deadlines,” said Guisewite, “I’m facing some personal deadlines whose requirements simply exceed my [...]

South African cartoonist protest media restrictions

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:10:10 -0500

Twenty-nine South African editorial cartoonist have signed a declaration protesting all political and religiously motivated threats against the media. The government intends to create a Protection of Information Bill and Media Tribunal which many feel will restrict free speech in that country. Cartoonists who have signed the petition include: Andy (Sunday Times), Brandan (Business Day, [...]

Betty Boop turns 80

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:10:08 -0500

The iconic swinger Betty Boop turned 80 years old this week. She was created by Max Fleischer and she debuted on August 9, 1930 in a cartoon called “Dizzy Dishes.” ABCNews aired a segment about the birthday and posted a video discussing the character’s history. And as the decades passed, Boop stayed young and popular. [...]

Women cartoonists pay tribute to Cathy Guisewhite

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:10:07 -0500

With the news of Cathy Guisewhite retiring her comic strip after 34 years, cartoonists – female cartoonists especially – are reflecting about the impact Cathy had in the industry. Rina Piccolo, creator of Tina’s Groove and one of the Six Chix calls Cathy pioneering woman in the male-dominated field of cartooning. She writes: I owe [...]

Traveling exhibit of For Better or For Worse planned

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:10:05 -0500

An exhibit to showcase Lynn Johnston’s career as an artist and creator of For Better or For Worse is in the works. The exhibit will launch in Northern Ontario and then into the US. In related news, Lynn is working on sequel to “Farley Follows his Nose.” The new children’s book will be entitled, “Farley [...]

Did a cartoonist top Slater’s ‘I quit’ exit?

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:10:03 -0500

The internet is abuzz about JetBlue attendant Steven Slater who allegedly (depending on the news source) got on the plane’s PA, yelled some obsentities, grabbed two beers on as he exited the taxied plane via it’s emergency inflatable slide. Some are calling it the best “take this job and shove it” exit in history. The [...]

Heritage Auctions passes $150 million in auctions

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:10:02 -0500

A sizable milestone has been passed by Heritage Auction. The Texas auction house has recently sold over $150 million in comic related properties. Established in 1976, it began its comics category in 2001 and holds several Guinness World Records for comic related auctions. The highest includes $5.2 million for the Nicolas Cage comic book collection [...]

Creepy Yogi Bear Poster

Sun, 08 Aug 2010 02:10:31 -0500

I’m not sure what’s more disturbing in this Yogi Bear poster: the grotesquely incompetent artwork or the dirty double entendre tagline. Yogi’s position behind BooBoo and the expressions on their faces don’t help matters.
Read more

CBTV Student Fest: Artichoke Hearts by Kazimir Iskander

Sun, 08 Aug 2010 02:10:31 -0500

This week in the Cartoon Brew TV Student Animation Festival: Artichoke Hearts by Kazimir Iskander. To read Kazimir’s notes about the film or to make comments and ask him questions about it, visit Cartoon Brew TV.
Read more

The Pen Story

Sun, 08 Aug 2010 02:10:29 -0500

This has already had over 2 million views on You Tube, but I couldn’t ignore it for the Brew. Inspired by Taijin Takeuchi, Olympus Corp. created this viral for the 50th anniversary of their Pen Camera. They shot 60.000 pictures, developed 9,600 prints and shot over 1,800 pictures again. No post production. Cool.(Thanks, Rich LaPierre)
Read more

Pink Panther Food animatic

Sun, 08 Aug 2010 02:10:29 -0500

I had the pleasure to meet several Brew readers at my Dirty Duck screening, earlier this week in Hollywood. One of them, Jay Sabicer, gave me a reel of 16mm as a gift (note to others, 16mm film gifts always gratefully accepted!). On the reel was this curious animatic for an unproduced 60s-era commercial for [...]
Read more

Bob McIntosh, R.I.P.

Sun, 08 Aug 2010 02:10:28 -0500

Bob McIntosh passed away on June 17, 2010 at the age of 94. Born on March 11, 1916 in Vallejo, California, and raised in Stockton, Bob discovered painting at an early age. Encouraged by Harry Noyes Pratt, the director of Stockton’s then-newly opened Haggin Museum, and mentored by local painter Arthur Haddock, McIntosh applied for [...]
Read more