I herein formally announce the creation of the "SASSY: Sequential Art Stories Submitted by Youths!" virtual gallery. SASSY is one of the online galleries associated with NCTE's National Gallery of Writing, but SASSY is unique in that it features graphic narratives (comic strips, comic books, and graphic novels) exclusively! Here's the formal description:
Gallery Description: Sequential art narratives -- comic strips, comic books, and graphic novels -- involve advanced writing and composing skills too! This gallery features works of comics art submitted by young people and by those young at heart.
Anyone can submit a work of sequential art to the gallery, but, as curator, I am especially interested in works from students and from classes or programs where comics composing is being taught.
Please spread the word about this gallery. Tell local teachers; share it with your students; encourage talented comics creators in your classrooms to submit. They might just see their work published for the world to admire!
Stickermule
A Public Service Announcement! ;)
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
"Literacy Accountability in a New-Media Age"
Paul Barnwell writes, "The federal No Child Left Behind Act and standardized state curricula and assessments are stuck on a notion of literacy that does not reflect the reality of our time. Schools are accountable to report how well students read, but we’re testing them on print media only. It’s time for the accountability movement to demand that schools teach and foster responsible student use of new literacy forms."
Good on ya, Paul! It is heartening to know that NCTE/IRA standards do get at multiple texts and types of texts beyond print-based ones. There is actually a lot of talk about media study in the ELA TEAKS, the Texas state standards for ELA. Even early drafts of the new "National" standards get at media literacy to some degree by not rigidly defining "text." Yet, those new standards, or their drafts, anyway, only define ELA as reading, writing, listening and speaking, leaving out visualizing and visually representing. That's a major mistake, but due to wriggle room in the language, one easily remedied by smart teachers. The drafts do mention "multimedia sources," "multimedia comprehension," and "visual elements" and an entire section on media. So, there is evidence that people are listening to people like Paul.
Good on ya, Paul! It is heartening to know that NCTE/IRA standards do get at multiple texts and types of texts beyond print-based ones. There is actually a lot of talk about media study in the ELA TEAKS, the Texas state standards for ELA. Even early drafts of the new "National" standards get at media literacy to some degree by not rigidly defining "text." Yet, those new standards, or their drafts, anyway, only define ELA as reading, writing, listening and speaking, leaving out visualizing and visually representing. That's a major mistake, but due to wriggle room in the language, one easily remedied by smart teachers. The drafts do mention "multimedia sources," "multimedia comprehension," and "visual elements" and an entire section on media. So, there is evidence that people are listening to people like Paul.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
MoCCA Announces Education Director, Adult Education Program
Press releases:
DANNY FINGEROTH NAMED SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT OF EDUCATION AT MUSEUM OF COMIC AND CARTOON ART NEW YORK
(Sept. 16 2009) - As part of its mission of furthering the study and appreciation of comics and graphic novels, the Museum of Comics and Cartoon Art - MoCCA - announces the formation of its education department, headed by longtime comics writer, editor, and educator, DANNY FINGEROTH, who will serve as MoCCA's Senior Vice-President of Education.
MoCCA's first educational offerings will be “How to Write Comics and Graphic Novels,” an 8-session weekly course (Tuesdays, Oct. 13 - Dec. 8) taught by Fingeroth and “Storytelling for Comics Artists,” a three-session weekly course (Wednesdays Dec. 2 - 16), taught by legendary comics creator KLAUS JANSON.
Danny Fingeroth was the longtime group editor of Marvel's Spider-Man line and the writer of comics including Darkhawk and Deadly Foes of Spider-Man. He has taught comics writing at NYU, The New School, and Media Bistro. Danny created and edited Write Now magazine, the only how-to publication dedicated to comics writing and writers. He is the author of The Rough Guide to Graphic Novels and co-author (with artist Mike Manley) of How to Create Comics from Script to Print. Danny serves on MoCCA's board of advisors and on the board of directors of the Institute for Comics Studies.
“It's my honor to be involved with making MoCCA the go-to place for all things relating to learning how to create comics and graphic novels,” Fingeroth says. “Its the most natural fit in the world for MoCCA to be not just where people go to see incredible exhibits and presentations about the art, craft and history of the sequential art medium, but where they can also learn the elements of the artform and how to practice them. Our rollout roster of courses aims to give aspiring creators the tools to express themselves in comics form, whether their interests are in superheroes or in idiosyncratic, personal storytelling.”
MoCCA Chairman Ellen Abramowitz says: “We're thrilled to continue a focused comic and cartoon art education program and excited to have Danny Fingeroth on board to lead it. Danny's unique background as comics creator, critic, and teacher make him the perfect person to take MoCCA_s educational efforts to the next level.”
MoCCA Director Karl Erickson says: “MoCCA continues to evolve and our new adult education programs led by Danny Fingeroth are a key part of this growth. MoCCA_s programming continues to serve the cultural community of New York and promote the understanding of comics everywhere.”
For more details, go to www.moccany.org or call 212-254-3511. The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art (MoCCA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts education organization dedicated to the preservation, study and display of all forms of comic and cartoon art. The museum promotes greater understanding and appreciation of the artistic, cultural and historical significance of comic and cartoon art through a variety of events, exhibitions, and educational programs. The museum is located at 594 Broadway (between Houston and Prince Streets) in New York City. MoCCA is open to the public Tuesdays through Sundays from 12:00-5:00 pm. Suggested donation to the museum is $5 but free for MoCCA Members as well as for children 12 and under (when accompanied by a paying adult). For more information about the museum and MoCCA events, exhibitions and programs, visit the museum's Website (www.moccany.org).
______________
MoCCA ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM BEGINS IN OCTOBER WITH JANSON AND FINGEROTH NEW YORK
(Sept 16 2009) - The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art - MoCCA - is proud to announce the new offerings from its Education Department. Organized and headed by Senior Vice-President of Education, DANNY FINGEROTH, the department's initial offerings will consist of two incredible courses:
HOW TO WRITE COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS: 8 sessions, Tuesdays Oct. 13 - Dec. 8; no class Nov. 24 $495 tuition $445 for MoCCA members DANNY FINGEROTH will lead a hands-on workshop in writing comics and graphic novels. This is an eight-week class whose aim is to teach students, in a supportive atmosphere, how to structure and write comics and graphic novel stories of professional caliber. Combining lectures, assignments in class and at home, and roundtable critiquing, the class will cover writing for all kinds of comics, including
autobiographical, historical, “indy” and superheroes. [No drawing skill is required for this class.]
DANNY FINGEROTH was the longtime group editor of Marvel's Spider-Man line and the writer of comics including Darkhawk and Deadly Foes of Spider-Man. He has taught comics writing at NYU, The New School, and Media Bistro. Danny created and edited Write Now magazine, the only how-to publication dedicated to comics writing and writers. He is the author of The Rough Guide to Graphic Novels and co-author (with artist Mike Manley) of How to Create Comics from Script to Print. Danny serves on MoCCA's board of advisors and on the board of directors of the Institute for Comics Studies.
STORYTELLING FOR COMICS ARTISTS: 3 weekly sessions, Wednesdays, Dec. 2, 9, and 16 $150 tuition $125 for MoCCA members KLAUS JANSON will lead this information-packed three-session lecture and workshop class that will focus on the theory and mechanics of comics storytelling. The lectures start with the philosophy and responsibility of the storyteller, and proceed through the essential topics of page layout and design, the importance of composition, the need for clarity, the benefits of contrast, the creation of a believable environment, and end with a discussion on the merits of the various styles available to the storyteller. The classes will combine lectures, class and at-home assignments, and on-the-spot critiques. Student participation and questions are encouraged. A rare opportunity to discuss and learn from a master of the art and craft of comics.
After a short stint as assistant to Dick Giordano in the early 1970's, KLAUS JANSON went freelance, working for several comics publishers as writer, penciler, inker and colorist. He's worked on projects with John Romita Jr., Grant Morrison, Frank Miller, Alan Moore, Gil Kane, John Buscema and many more. Klaus's current projects include: inking several Romita Jr. projects at Marvel; penciling a five-part Daredevil limited series written by Brian Michael Bendis and David Mack (to be inked by Bill Sinekiewicz); and penciling and inking a two-part Spider-Man story written by David Morrel. But Klaus is most proud of the course on storytelling that he teaches at The School of Visual Arts and the annual seminars that he holds at Marvel for the editorial staff and their up-and- coming artists.
If you've ever wanted to take your ideas for comics and learn to focus them to create actual stories, then these courses are the perfect place to explore and expand your skills! And wait'll you see what courses and instructors we have coming up!
For more information and to register, call 212-254-3511 or go to www.moccany.org.
DANNY FINGEROTH NAMED SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT OF EDUCATION AT MUSEUM OF COMIC AND CARTOON ART NEW YORK
(Sept. 16 2009) - As part of its mission of furthering the study and appreciation of comics and graphic novels, the Museum of Comics and Cartoon Art - MoCCA - announces the formation of its education department, headed by longtime comics writer, editor, and educator, DANNY FINGEROTH, who will serve as MoCCA's Senior Vice-President of Education.
MoCCA's first educational offerings will be “How to Write Comics and Graphic Novels,” an 8-session weekly course (Tuesdays, Oct. 13 - Dec. 8) taught by Fingeroth and “Storytelling for Comics Artists,” a three-session weekly course (Wednesdays Dec. 2 - 16), taught by legendary comics creator KLAUS JANSON.
Danny Fingeroth was the longtime group editor of Marvel's Spider-Man line and the writer of comics including Darkhawk and Deadly Foes of Spider-Man. He has taught comics writing at NYU, The New School, and Media Bistro. Danny created and edited Write Now magazine, the only how-to publication dedicated to comics writing and writers. He is the author of The Rough Guide to Graphic Novels and co-author (with artist Mike Manley) of How to Create Comics from Script to Print. Danny serves on MoCCA's board of advisors and on the board of directors of the Institute for Comics Studies.
“It's my honor to be involved with making MoCCA the go-to place for all things relating to learning how to create comics and graphic novels,” Fingeroth says. “Its the most natural fit in the world for MoCCA to be not just where people go to see incredible exhibits and presentations about the art, craft and history of the sequential art medium, but where they can also learn the elements of the artform and how to practice them. Our rollout roster of courses aims to give aspiring creators the tools to express themselves in comics form, whether their interests are in superheroes or in idiosyncratic, personal storytelling.”
MoCCA Chairman Ellen Abramowitz says: “We're thrilled to continue a focused comic and cartoon art education program and excited to have Danny Fingeroth on board to lead it. Danny's unique background as comics creator, critic, and teacher make him the perfect person to take MoCCA_s educational efforts to the next level.”
MoCCA Director Karl Erickson says: “MoCCA continues to evolve and our new adult education programs led by Danny Fingeroth are a key part of this growth. MoCCA_s programming continues to serve the cultural community of New York and promote the understanding of comics everywhere.”
For more details, go to www.moccany.org or call 212-254-3511. The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art (MoCCA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts education organization dedicated to the preservation, study and display of all forms of comic and cartoon art. The museum promotes greater understanding and appreciation of the artistic, cultural and historical significance of comic and cartoon art through a variety of events, exhibitions, and educational programs. The museum is located at 594 Broadway (between Houston and Prince Streets) in New York City. MoCCA is open to the public Tuesdays through Sundays from 12:00-5:00 pm. Suggested donation to the museum is $5 but free for MoCCA Members as well as for children 12 and under (when accompanied by a paying adult). For more information about the museum and MoCCA events, exhibitions and programs, visit the museum's Website (www.moccany.org).
______________
MoCCA ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM BEGINS IN OCTOBER WITH JANSON AND FINGEROTH NEW YORK
(Sept 16 2009) - The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art - MoCCA - is proud to announce the new offerings from its Education Department. Organized and headed by Senior Vice-President of Education, DANNY FINGEROTH, the department's initial offerings will consist of two incredible courses:
HOW TO WRITE COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS: 8 sessions, Tuesdays Oct. 13 - Dec. 8; no class Nov. 24 $495 tuition $445 for MoCCA members DANNY FINGEROTH will lead a hands-on workshop in writing comics and graphic novels. This is an eight-week class whose aim is to teach students, in a supportive atmosphere, how to structure and write comics and graphic novel stories of professional caliber. Combining lectures, assignments in class and at home, and roundtable critiquing, the class will cover writing for all kinds of comics, including
autobiographical, historical, “indy” and superheroes. [No drawing skill is required for this class.]
DANNY FINGEROTH was the longtime group editor of Marvel's Spider-Man line and the writer of comics including Darkhawk and Deadly Foes of Spider-Man. He has taught comics writing at NYU, The New School, and Media Bistro. Danny created and edited Write Now magazine, the only how-to publication dedicated to comics writing and writers. He is the author of The Rough Guide to Graphic Novels and co-author (with artist Mike Manley) of How to Create Comics from Script to Print. Danny serves on MoCCA's board of advisors and on the board of directors of the Institute for Comics Studies.
STORYTELLING FOR COMICS ARTISTS: 3 weekly sessions, Wednesdays, Dec. 2, 9, and 16 $150 tuition $125 for MoCCA members KLAUS JANSON will lead this information-packed three-session lecture and workshop class that will focus on the theory and mechanics of comics storytelling. The lectures start with the philosophy and responsibility of the storyteller, and proceed through the essential topics of page layout and design, the importance of composition, the need for clarity, the benefits of contrast, the creation of a believable environment, and end with a discussion on the merits of the various styles available to the storyteller. The classes will combine lectures, class and at-home assignments, and on-the-spot critiques. Student participation and questions are encouraged. A rare opportunity to discuss and learn from a master of the art and craft of comics.
After a short stint as assistant to Dick Giordano in the early 1970's, KLAUS JANSON went freelance, working for several comics publishers as writer, penciler, inker and colorist. He's worked on projects with John Romita Jr., Grant Morrison, Frank Miller, Alan Moore, Gil Kane, John Buscema and many more. Klaus's current projects include: inking several Romita Jr. projects at Marvel; penciling a five-part Daredevil limited series written by Brian Michael Bendis and David Mack (to be inked by Bill Sinekiewicz); and penciling and inking a two-part Spider-Man story written by David Morrel. But Klaus is most proud of the course on storytelling that he teaches at The School of Visual Arts and the annual seminars that he holds at Marvel for the editorial staff and their up-and- coming artists.
If you've ever wanted to take your ideas for comics and learn to focus them to create actual stories, then these courses are the perfect place to explore and expand your skills! And wait'll you see what courses and instructors we have coming up!
For more information and to register, call 212-254-3511 or go to www.moccany.org.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Lisi Harrison's _The Clique_ YA Novels to get GN Treatment
Yen Press to adapt multimillion dollar-maker.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Fun List of Pop Songs Referencing Super-Heroes
Fun, though not exhaustive. Where's Five for Fighting's "Superman/Even Heroes Have the Right to Bleed," after all? "Jimmy Olsen's Blues" from the Spin Doctors? "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?" by Paula Cole? Supes is pretty popular among rockers, but the Lone Ranger gets a nod in Cole's song. There's another song that mentions Jimmy Olsen that I just can't think of for anything right now........ It has a lyric like "where are you Jimmy Olsen" or "help us Jimmy Olsen" or something like that. Anyway, "yay music!"
Friday, September 11, 2009
Graphic Novel Reporter Updates!
My well-respected colleague Michael Bitz is profiled in an article you won't want to miss! Also, what's this about Shakespeare's heroes fighting Shakespeare's villains?
Online Comic on Schizophrenia
From the soon-to-be-released Psychiatric Tales (Blank Slate Press) by Darryl Cunningham.
The Beat Announces Peter Kuper's Tour for Diario De Oaxaca GN
Looks like I've got another must-read. Wonder if this book will actually make it to El Paso. The GN selection in this city is very bad, but maybe there's an audience for this one. Also, for those of you who are mangling the title, It's pronounces Wa-HA-Ca, as best I can tell. My students tell me it is a beautiful part of Mexico.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Charles Hatfield on the State of Comics Studies
My favorite part? Where he says we spend too much time reinventing the wheel. Amen to that!
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
ASCD to Host 21st Century Teaching and Learning Conference
Part of the programming will be a showcase of 21st Century learning skills.
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Friday, September 04, 2009
Latino Comics Scholar, Author of _Your Brain on Latino Comics_ Profiled
Thanks to M.R. for sharing this article from the SF Gate/ San Francisco Chronicle. Maybe I'll think about getting Dr. Aldama on campus soon.....
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Alan David Doane's New E-Book of Comics Interviews
Conversations with ADD makes available in one place almost 300 pages worth of interviews with the likes of Peter Bagge, Tom Beland, Charles Burns, Chester Brown, Colleen Coover, Renee French, Roberta Gregory, Paul Hornschemeier, James Kochalka, Jason Marcy, L. Nichols, Ted Rall, Johnny Ryan, Seth, Dave Sim, James Sturm, Walter Simonson, Ty Templeton, and Josie Whitmore; writers, artists, publishers and editors, including Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker, Kurt Busiek, Howard Chaykin, Steven Grant, Tony Isabella, Barbara Kesel, Ron Marz, Erik Larsen, Mark Millar, Denny O'Neil, Harvey Pekar, Sean Phillips, Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti, Greg Rucka, Rob Vollmar, Mark Waid, Mike Wieringo, Brett Warnock, Barry Windsor-Smith and more.
What a great resource!
What a great resource!
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Well-Balanced Times Article on Choice vs. Single Text
For a well-written and balanced look at how English teachers are engaging choice vs. single text considerations, you can't beat Motoko Rich's recent article in The New York Times. Everyone will find something they agree with and something they can ponder. I especially enjoyed this quote from a Harvard GSE professor:
“If what we’re trying to get to is, everybody has read ‘Ethan Frome’ and Henry James and Shakespeare, then the challenge for the teacher is how do you make that stuff accessible and interesting enough that kids will stick with it,” said Catherine E. Snow, a professor at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. “But if the goal is, how do you make kids lifelong readers, then it seems to me that there’s a lot to be said for the choice approach. As adults, as good readers, we don’t all read the same thing, and we revel in our idiosyncrasies as adult readers, so kids should have some of the same freedom.”
“If what we’re trying to get to is, everybody has read ‘Ethan Frome’ and Henry James and Shakespeare, then the challenge for the teacher is how do you make that stuff accessible and interesting enough that kids will stick with it,” said Catherine E. Snow, a professor at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. “But if the goal is, how do you make kids lifelong readers, then it seems to me that there’s a lot to be said for the choice approach. As adults, as good readers, we don’t all read the same thing, and we revel in our idiosyncrasies as adult readers, so kids should have some of the same freedom.”
Monday, August 31, 2009
New Academic Journal for Comics Scholarship
Studies in Comics will debut this winter! Thanks to P.C. for the info!
Mickey Mouse Owns Spider-Man!: Disney Buys Marvel
Does this mean super-hero titles will slip back into telling sappy saccharine tales where everyone adheres to the same conservative moral code? How long before Iron Man sports Duck Tales stickers on his armor? Is this a good move or not?
At least we've got a new joke out of it: Spider-Man is divorcing Mary Jane. The judge is asking him why he wants a divorce but is unsure if the reason he just gave has to do with her psychological state or adultery. He asks for clarification, "Mr. Spider-Man, what exactly did you mean when you said, 'She's f****ng Goofy!'?"
Ah, a new take on an old classic. And inherent in that value judgement may be all the tensions that fanboys and fangirls will feel about this move.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Tons of Iphone Comics News This Week
As if Marvel's Spider-Woman web comic being the #1 app download in iTunes this week wasn't impressive enough news, more stories keep coming about companies trying to get a piece of this pie. OK, perhaps that's bad phrasing considering the "lets see how boobs look when a woman in a skin-tight costume who can fly is upside down, sideways, etc." inspired thinking behind the Spider-Woman story (a critique, but not exactly a complaint). But, you get the picture.....
A story from Te Beat is embedded in this post's title. Here's a link to ICV2's coverage of the fast-spreading phenomenon.
A story from Te Beat is embedded in this post's title. Here's a link to ICV2's coverage of the fast-spreading phenomenon.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Graphic Novel Reporter Updates; Yours Truly Profiled
More graphic novel goodness at Graphic Novel Reporter, and John Hogan asks me some questions and puts the answers on the site -- along with a photo of me! Will my ugly mug prove to be the death of GNR? I hope not! ;)
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