Month: June 2022

Supergirl Radio Podcast And Metropolis Superman Celebration 2022

Leave a comment

On Saturday, June 11th Nicki and I took a day trip up to Metropolis, IL for the 44th Annual Superman Celebration.

We’ve been attending for many years, and the weather was just too nice to not get out of the house. The higher gas prices had us think twice about going, but thankfully Nicki has a new hybrid that gets between 50-60mpg.

I don’t think the same can be said for Optimus Prime– but it was pretty awesome seeing this Transformer in person on Superman Square.

We weren’t the only Memphians in town. Nicki and I ran into fellow MSCA’ers the Easterling Family.

They’ve been attending the Superman Celebration for years, too! (Check out Lonnie’s cartoons at www.spudtoons.com.)

Also saw Memphians Christina and Jim Hall in Artists Alley. Mama Wanda was keeping watch over the room as usual. Unfortunately we didn’t get to see Papa Cliff.

Artists Alley/Writers Way was located in the bank building on 8th street again, but the entrance had been moved around to the back of the building. It was like entering a speakeasy! Thankfully the A/C was working this year.

We talked to several folks while we were there, including artists Matthew Clark and Rick Burchett, and writer Sean Dulaney. We saw cartoonist Guy Gilchrist’s table, but he had stepped away from it while we were there. We did see actor George Newbern there behind his table.

He and actors Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum were there as celebrity guests. We got to see them all pose together with official Superman of Metropolis Josh Boultinghouse out in front of the giant Superman statue.

Just up from the statue we had a bit of a Supergirl Radio reunion when we ran into co-host Rebecca Johnson and fellow listener Dr. Nicole Green and her family. We got to meet them last year in AA/WW for the first time.

Lots of great costumes were spotted around town while we were there.

Including many Superpets that were in attendance as well, like Stephanie Perrin’s doggy Scooby!

Our boy Lex was adopted at the 2015 Metropolis Superman Celebration. He and two siblings had been abandoned at the carnival there. All found furever homes, and Lex has been part of our family for 7yrs now..! He currently lives with adopted siblings Lena and Jarael.

The animal shelter in Metropolis is the Project Hope Humane Society, and is located off Hwy45 next to the Metropolis welcome sign. We saw a few strays hanging out near the front of the building. Looks like they have some shelters built for them. We missed the fund raising tent they had up during the celebration, but now that we know where they are we can drop off some donations the next time we are in town.

We stopped by Fat Edd’s Roadhouse for lunch and had a couple bacon cheeseburgers, fries, and some ice cold Kryptonite.

It’s become a Metropolis tradition. Oh, and trust me- Kryptonite and a yellow sun can affect Earthlings, too! You might want to order a glass of water to go with it  to help stay hydrated.

Unfortunately due to some problems with the venue there was no Save The Massac Theatre auction this year during the Celebration. Hopefully they can do one next year and/or do a virtual one online. I’ve got a few items to donate to it.

Had a great time, and hope to make it back up next year. Dates are June 9-11, 2023.

You can see and/or hear more of our adventures in Metropolis on the latest Supergirl Radio podcast. It’s available on YouTube, on their website, or most anywhere you like to download and listen to podcasts.

You can watch the 2022 Superman Celebration episode on YouTube at:
And watch and/or listen on their website at:
Supergirl Radio RAINN Fundraiser Marathon Episode (Nicki and I do a Superpets segment):

Also, was sad to hear of the recent passing of artist Tim Sale. He was known for his work on the “Heroes” TV show and many comics collaborations with longtime friend Jeph Leob, including “Batman: The Long Halloween” and “Superman for All Seasons”. Hard to believe we’ve lost George Pérez, Neal Adams, and Tim Sale so close together this year…

Lin

 

MSCA – Graphic Novel Opportunity And Meeting Update

Leave a comment

From MSCA President Kevin L. Williams:

Hi, team,

Tom Graves, author of one of my favorite Robert Johnson books, is ready to create a graphic novel based on the team of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.  He came to this week’s meeting, and I think this can be a very good opportunity for someone in the MSCA!

I’ve included his novel and contact information below.  Please reach out to him for conversation and meeting about the book.  I feel certain he is open to ideas as well as work with the ideas he currently has.

Your very own, personal MSCA Prez, 

Kev

FromTom:

I read the book Dean and Me by Jerry Lewis and found it very, very compelling.  In the past I read Nick Tosches book on Dean Martin (excellent book!) and I was very aware that the Martin & Lewis comedy team was the biggest act in entertainment from the late 40s until their break-up in the late 50s.  It tells a great story that I think would be perfect for a graphic novel.

I’m a lifelong writer, author of 8 books and I’ve written for many prominent magazines and newspapers such as Rolling Stone, NY Times, and Washington Post.  I think I could take on a graphic novel with the right artist and partner.

I would ultimately want someone who draws in a style far away from the modern Marvel style.  I would want someone like Marjane Sartrapi of Persepolis, Art Spiegelman of Maus, Daniel Clowes of Ghost World, etc.

I would like to find someone who already has entre into the world of graphic novels who could navigate the right publishers for such a project.

I know this is a tall order, but my hope is the right person finds a way to me to do it.  As I said last night, I’ve done almost every type of writing there is.  Also I was a writer and producer for the Emmy winning film Best of Enemies about the 1968 debates between Gore Vidal and William Buckley.  In fact, the film was my idea.

Let me know what you can do and come up with.  I hope maybe to meet again at one of your meetings.

Best,
Tom Graves
pullers2015(at)gmail(dot)com

We had a great time at the meeting talking with Tom about his writing and about all things Memphis, including our favorite shops and shows we enjoyed as kids, including the legendary local horror host SIVAD!

We also had a lot of fun talking toons, eating food, and picking up some copies of Devin Hodges‘ comic book “The Common Days Of Cade“.

Garibaldi’s Pizza is going to be closed the week of our next scheduled dinner meeting, and since it’s the day after the fourth of July we’re gonna hold off getting together anywhere in July and just wait for our next meeting the first Tuesday of August. Will have more details on the upcoming MSCA display at the Hernando Library, and hope everyone can contribute an item for it- either a sketch, published book, or other item to celebrate our association’s 35th anniversary of drawing funny in the mid-south!

“STAY TOONED!”

Lin

First Tuesday Of The Month Is Here Again! MSCA Monthly Dinner Meet-up At Garibaldi’s Pizza 6/7

Leave a comment

 

It’s time again for  our MSCA monthly dinner meeting at the U of M Garibaldi’s Pizza on Tuesday, June 7th. We meet up  the 1st Tuesday of each month at 7pm in the big room.

I’d like to get a few member interviews so if you’d like to be on an upcoming “Drawing Funny” podcast episode I’ll be there a bit early so hit me up before (or outside after). Would love to talk toon with ya. We’ll also be talking about an opportunity to do an MSCA anniversary display at the Hernando Public Library this fall and other upcoming events.

The meeting/meet-up is casual and open to the public. Bring whatever art you’ve been working on, favorite art book/comic or recent art tool purchase to show, or some promo swag to hand out- and any art questions you may need answers to. Please be sure to introduce yourself and let us know you’re there to hang out with the MSCA. The room is reserved, but occasionally some folks don’t realize it.

Also, feel free to bring a friend or family member, and be sure to bring a few bucks to order off the menu. You and your stomach will be glad you did!

Garibaldi’s Pizza
3530 Walker Ave
Memphis, TN 38111
(901) 327-6111

A Month Of Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Art Events!

Leave a comment

June is going to be a busy month! Here are some of the events happening in and around the mid-south…

This weekend is a double birthday celebration for Memphis comics. On Saturday it’s the 36th anniversary of Comics & Collectibles over off Poplar (between Colonial and Perkins).

That same day, 901 Comics is celebrating it’s 6th anniversary of their midtown location at Cooper/Young.

The following Tuesday, June 7th is our next MSCA dinner meeting at Garibaldi’s Pizza over near the U of M. We’ll be getting together from 7-8:30pm, but feel free to slide by a bit earlier if you’d like- and bring your sketchbook or anything you’ve been working on lately.

That next weekend has a lot happening! Up in Metropolis, IL is the 44th annual Superman Celebration. This year they are celebrating the 50th anniversary of being the official home of Superman. It’s about a 3hr drive from Memphis and is located just across the Ohio River from Paducah, KY.

Back here in Memphis, the Anime Blues Con will be going on downtown at the convention center.

That Sunday, June 12th– 901 Comics East in Cordova will be having an in-store appearance by Red Ranger Jason Faunt.

Towards the end of the month it’s time for the Memphis Crafts & Drafts Festival Summer Market at the Crosstown Concourse.

Oh, and today is a couple of MSCA member birthdays. Happiest of birthdays to Mr. J himself- Chris Jowers.

Also, happy birthday to my wife and MSCA webmaster Nicki Workman! We’re both off today and are looking forward to doing breakfast and then getting out to take some pics.

We just celebrated our 12th engagement anniversary over the weekend. We got engaged at the 2010 Phoenix Comic Con. Love ya, Babe!

Oh, and happy (or unhappy) birthday to Oscar the Grouch who shares a June 1st birthday with Chris and Nicki!

Hope you all are able to get out and enjoy these events. If you know of any others please give me a yell.

Lin

 

Comics & Collectibles
4730 Poplar Avenue #2
Memphis, TN 38117
901-683-7171
memphiscomics.com

901 Comics (East)
8551 Macon Rd,
Cordova, TN 38018
(901) 249-7959
901 Comics (Cooper/Young)
2162 Young Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 421-8819
901-comics.business.site
Crosstown Concourse
1350 Concourse Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 203.-8300

Anime Blues Con
Renasant Convention Center (downtown)
255 N Main St.
Memphis, TN 38103
Metropolis Superman Celebration
Metropolis, IL 62960
618-524-2714
office@metropolischamber.com
Garibaldi’s Pizza
3530 Walker Ave
Memphis, TN 38111
(901) 327-6111

New “Drawing Funny” Podcast Episode – “Sour Grapes” By Tim Jones

Leave a comment
A new “Drawing Funny” podcast episode is available for downloading/listening. (Click here.)
In this episode I share some local upcoming event news, plus I sit down to talk toons and discuss some “SOUR GRAPES” with cartoonist Tim Jones.
Tim is the creator, artist and writer of the widely popular, self-syndicated comic strip, SOUR GRAPES. He created SOUR GRAPES back in 2013. It’s a weekly strip about ‘Aesop‘, a miserable-flying dog; his pet cloud, ‘Ominous’ and odd family- all living in a problematic and troubled world. In 2014, the strip found its way into print starting in two newspapers in Rhode Island, where he lives with his family.
Soon after, the comic strip continued its success and started to appear in more and more newspapers.
Today, SOUR GRAPES continues to grow in popularity and can now be seen in multiple newspapers across the country.
Tim has been a cartoonist and freelance illustrator for over 25 years and he is a member of the National Cartoonist Society and Mid-South Cartoonists Association. He also teaches cartooning and speaks at local schools and libraries.
Tim has created several compilation SOUR GRAPES books and story-coloring books. He appears at various events, Comic-Cons and book signings. His next upcoming events are in July at Plastic City Comic Con in Fitchburg, MA and Terrificon at Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut. I’m looking forward to getting back out to conventions again this summer/fall.
Thanks to Tim for taking time out to come on the show. Hope to run into him in person at some point.
Stay well, stay tooned, and keep drawing funny!
Lin
Run time: 1hr 5min 30sec
Tim Jones “Sour Grapes” Facebook – www.facebook.com/SourGrapesComic
“SOUR GRAPES” ©2020-2022 Tim Jones