Saturday, September 26, 2009

SPX 13th Annual Ignatz Awards

Outstanding Artist
Nate Powell, Swallow Me Whole (Top Shelf)

Outstanding Anthology or Collection
Kramer's Ergot 7, ed. Sammy Harkham (Buenaventure)

Outstanding Graphic Novel
Acme Novelty Library#19, Chris Ware (Drawn & Quarterly)

Outstanding Story
"Willy" Papercutter #10, Amien Jay (Tugboat)

Promising New Talent
Colleen Frakes, Woman King (self-published)

Outstanding Series
Uptight, Jordan Crane (Fantagraphics)

Outstanding Comic
Uptight #3, Jordan Crane

Outstanding Minicomic
Just Stay Away From Other People, Lisa Hanawalt

Outstanding Online Comic
Year of the Rat, Cayetano Garza (www.magicinkwell.com)

Be Our Guest

[Q| Checkin at the hostel was quick, noticed some new buildings in the neighborhood, then took the Metro to White Flint.

The Metro has strip lighting on the platform edge which flash when a train is approaching. What was once white is now a cherry red, and with the subdued lighting gives the underground an ominous atmosphere.

My mischievous mind then concocted a tale to tell gullible tourists: The color denotes the current terrorist threat levels. With the arrests in Denver and Dallas, it is currently RED. If the lights begin to flash, then an emergency has been declared, and we should listen for an announcement!


Tonight, it is raining, so I am dining at the Marriott restaurant. I just noticed that the burgundy napkin is an exact duplicate of the napkins I once folded at the Omaha Marriot back in '87.

Just finished some babyback ribs. The menu advertised fork-tender meat, yet I had to perform major surgery with a fork and knife. Not worth the trouble or price. Nice restaurant otherwise... spacious, lively, nice decor.

More soon... need to share my discoveries...

On The Road Again

Well, we just left the rest area located just inside the Maryland border (exit 94?). Starbucks, Cinnabon, Popeye's, Burger King, and a convenience store which had no DC or Baltimore newspapers.

Grabbed a Cherry Coke Zero for $1.90 (vending machine costs $2). Finished the sandwich I bought in the Bronx. Wasn't hungry, but I didn't want to bother people on the bus.

Near the entrance is the ubiquitous souvenir penny mangler. It caught my eye because one of the dies commemorates Frank Zappa, a native son of Baltimore!

Had a fitful nap (lower back stayed awake), rest break, now trying to read Mill's On Liberty. It has clear writing, but my mind keeps wandering. (Exit 85)

Heh... coincidence that I'm reading that on the way to DC...

I'll Be On My Way...

[Q| It's been more than a month since my last post, and realize I need an entry for September.

So... I am on the 7 AM Bolt Bus ($19) to DC. We just entered the Lincoln Tunnel, and should arrive in my nation's capital in 4.5 hours.

I booked the 7:30 bus, but they let me on early. (Just left the tunnel, on the helix.) Found an aisle seat, fourth row back, the window seat occupied by an attractive brunette who I will politely not bother.

So... why D.C.? Isn't the (toll plaza) New York Anime Festival this weekend? Yes, it is, but the Small Press Expo is also this weekend. I missed MoCCA Fest this year (was in Italy), I haven't been in years, and I'm not that big a fan of anime. $38 for the bus, $33 for a bed at the youth hostel, and payday yesterday makes it all possible. (Exit 15E)

I bought The Year's Best American Comics 2009 yesterday, and read a few selections... I dunno... I like the series, am glad it exists, but so much is just...blah. I love good comics, but these stories just don't resonate. Maybe I never developed that literary criticism skill. (Exit 13A) Maybe I like more story, more plot.

No corporate comics in this volume. Not even in the Honorary Mentions. (The book is not on the bus, so I may be mistaken.) No Minx, and I wonder if many "Best of" stories made the book. And how many award winners?

R. Crumb's The Book of Genesis is engaging, and, well, reverent towards the source material. He does include the genealogies, I think partly because the Bible does, and he needs to pad the book. The naughty bits are tastefully rendered with the occasional breast, and Crumb practices his trademark pulchritude with a bit of restraint. I have read up to the death of Sarah, and learned some things not usually covered in Bible study.

Will Crumb do more? Uncertain. I do hope he will at least adapt specific stories, as his everyday style and storytelling talent is ideally suited to the subject matter. (buffer reached, just passed Milboro water tower)