Ray Bradbury, a master of science fiction whose imaginative and lyrical evocations of the future reflected both the optimism and the anxieties of his own postwar America, died on Tuesday in Los Angeles. He was 91.
My limited association with Mr. Bradbury began when I was in junior high (or middle school as they call it these days) in an English class that specialized in science fiction. The first book we were to read was THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES. It took a giant leap a few years ago when one of my cartoon illustrations was seen by Professor John Tibbetts, English professor at KU at the Disney Hometown Toonfest. The piece was entitled "MORNING WITH MARTIAN CHRONICLE," and featured one of my Martian characters reading the morning edition of the hometown newspaper. Professor Tibbetts was friends with Mr. Bradbuy. He thought Ray would like the piece and he asked if I'd like to contact the author. "Yes, very much," was my reply. He gave me Ray's home address and phone number. I contacted Mr. Bradbury and sent him a copy of the piece. I told him that I would love to meet him sometime. He invited me to contact him the next time I was in Los Angeles. A few months later, I did exactly that. My intention was to give him the original of "MORNING WITH MARTIAN CHRONICLE." But our schedules couldn't mesh and we never met face-to-face. I did see him at the International Comic-Con (San Diego) when he and his best friend, Ray Harryhausen met on stage to talk about their work and their life-long friendship.
While we exchanged only a few notes and letters, my exchange with Ray Bradbury has left and impression that will never, ever be erased. To this day, many of his books and movies based on his writings occupy my library.
Thank you for an eternity of joy and wonder, Mr. Bradbury.
— Mike Edholm
PS - There's a slightly longer, more detailed version of this story on my blog.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Master of Science Fiction dies
Ray Bradbury, a master of science fiction whose imaginative and lyrical evocations of the future reflected both the optimism and the anxieties of his own postwar America, died on Tuesday in Los Angeles. He was 91.
My limited association with Mr. Bradbury began when I was in junior high (or middle school as they call it these days) in an English class that specialized in science fiction. The first book we were to read was THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES. It took a giant leap a few years ago when one of my cartoon illustrations was seen by Professor John Tibbetts, English professor at KU at the Disney Hometown Toonfest. The piece was entitled "MORNING WITH MARTIAN CHRONICLE," and featured one of my Martian characters reading the morning edition of the hometown newspaper. Professor Tibbetts was friends with Mr. Bradbuy. He thought Ray would like the piece and he asked if I'd like to contact the author. "Yes, very much," was my reply. He gave me Ray's home address and phone number. I contacted Mr. Bradbury and sent him a copy of the piece. I told him that I would love to meet him sometime. He invited me to contact him the next time I was in Los Angeles. A few months later, I did exactly that. My intention was to give him the original of "MORNING WITH MARTIAN CHRONICLE." But our schedules couldn't mesh and we never met face-to-face. I did see him at the International Comic-Con (San Diego) when he and his best friend, Ray Harryhausen met on stage to talk about their work and their life-long friendship.
While we exchanged only a few notes and letters, my exchange with Ray Bradbury has left and impression that will never, ever be erased. To this day, many of his books and movies based on his writings occupy my library.
Thank you for an eternity of joy and wonder, Mr. Bradbury.
— Mike Edholm
PS - There's a slightly longer, more detailed version of this story on my blog.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
See our one and only Paul Fell in an interview for City TV Channel 5 with Leta Powell Drake
M-W-F and Sat. at 11:30 am
T-Th at 11:00 am and 8:00 pm
Also Fridays at 7:00 pm and Sunday at 9:00 pm
If you're not in the Lincoln viewing range this could be difficult.
www.lincoln.ne.gov/city/mayor/cic/5citytv
Jim Unger, creator of HERMAN, died.
"Herman" Cartoonist Jim Unger Passes Away.
Died in his sleep at his home in British Columbia at the age of 75.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbxfDr6ZFQg&feature=colike
A personal note: my dad loved two cartoons. The first was Warner Bros. cartoons. He and I would watch them every Saturday morning. The second was Herman. He always wound up on the comics page of the paper and read Herman first and then last. I received Herman books and collections for my birthday from dad. :-)
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Happy Birthday, Dr. Bruce Banner
Today is the 50th anniversary of THE INCREDIBLE HULK. Thanks go out to his parents, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.
I'm sure he won't have any trouble blowing out the candles on the cake. Just don't blow down the building, too.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Jack Davis Foundation announces...
Hey gang,
This afternoon I received this email from Alex Murawski regarding the Jack Davis Foundation. Take a look and see if this isn't something you might be interested in. The email that I sent each of you has the PDF.
Dear NCS Chapter Chairs!
The Jack Davis Foundation is launching it's first Jack Davis Humor Show and I'd like to ask if you would share the Call for Entries with your fellow NCS members. Here's the URL for the site: http://jackdavisfoundation.org and I've attached a pdf of the Call for Entries. Thanks for the help and let me know if I can give you any more information.
Regards,
Alex
Alex Murawski
Professor
The Lamar Dodd School of Art
University of Georgia
270 River Road
Athens, GA 30602-7676
O: 706.542.1326
C: 706.817.0633
www.illoz.com/murawski
http://jackdavisfoundation.org
Friday, March 16, 2012
LAS VEGAS rooms!!!
If you're going to Las Vegas for the Reubens and you're waiting for the last minute to get "the best deal" DON'T WAIT!!! I just got the word, those rooms are going like lifeboats on the Titanic during happy hour. Don't wait! Make your reservations IMMEDIATELY! We don't want you to be sleeping in your car.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Las Vegas and the Reuben Awards and beyond....
Hey gang,
The registration forms for the 2012 Reuben Awards have been hitting mailboxes like the swallows returning to Capistrano and leaving little reminders on the freshly washed cars at Weseloh & Sons Chevrolet on Camino Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano. If you haven't received yours, let me know and I'll make sure that you get one. You can, of course, contact the good folks in Maitland, FL and they'll register you online. Let's not bother our dear REALLY BIG LEADER, Tom. He has enough to do to get ready for this shindig.
We're hoping to get a really great turn out from the North Central Chapter. I know this sounds a tad hypocritical coming from me, since I haven't been to a Reubens since Chicago. But hey, I had to wash my hair.... My cat ate the registration form... Wha'?! Yes, I'm registered. Yes I have a room reserved at the Green Valley Resort and Spa (I'll be spending a lot of time in the hot tub or at the bar). And yes, I have my airline tickets (on my favorite airline).
I hope as many of you as possible can make the trip. I know that times are still tight, the economy is improving as we're all told. In fact I heard that the Koch brothers aren't carpooling to work anymore. And there are more cartoon events coming down the pipe.
There's the Comic-Con International in San Diego in July, for those of you brave enough to dare the crowds... Along with the Klingons, the Stormtroopers, HALO troopers, and the Hord from Hollywood, you'll find a few friendly faces from the NCS. Registration has just opened for that.
The Disney Toonfest will be September 13-15 (actually its the 14-15, but the cartoonists arrive early for additional fun).
Sioux Falls, the Xanadu of South Dakota.
The K stands for Ken (Alvine).
And then there's the North Central Chapter's Fall Meeting. This year we'll be in Sioux Falls, SD, October 5-6, 2012. Our host, Ken Alvine, has informed me that there are a lot of surprises and fun for this year's meeting.
Our guest speaker is none other than the Pride of the Beltway, Pulitzer Prize Winning Editorial Cartoonist, Ann Telnaes. Her South Dakota fan club is starting to look like an Occupy Movement. You can find Ann's animation work at the Washington Post in the Opinion section.
Details to follow about hotels, travel info, how to arrange bail in Sioux Falls, etc. Keep an eye on the blog, folks.
Las Vegas and the Reuben Awards and beyond....
Hey gang,
The registration forms have been hitting mailboxes like the swallows returning to Capistrano and leaving little reminders on the freshly washed cars at Weseloh & Sons Chevrolet on Camino Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano. If you haven't received yours, let me know and I'll make sure that you get one. You can, of course, contact the good folks in Maitland, FL and they'll register you online. Let's not bother our dear REALLY BIG LEADER, Tom. He has enough to do to get ready for this shindig.
We're hoping to get a really great turn out from the North Central Chapter. I know this sounds a tad hypocritical coming from me, since I haven't been to a Reubens since Chicago. But hey, I had to wash my hair.... My cat ate the registration form... Wha'?! Yes, I'm registered. Yes I have a room reserved at the Green Valley Resort and Spa (I'll be spending a lot of time in the hot tub or at the bar). And yes, I have my airline tickets (on my favorite airline).
I hope as many of you as possible can make the trip. I know that times are still tight, the economy is improving as we're all told. In fact I heard that the Koch brothers aren't carpooling to work anymore. And there are more cartoon events coming down the pipe.
There's the Comic-Con International in San Diego in July. Registration has just opened for that.
The Disney Toonfest will be September 13-15 (actually its the 14-15, but the cartoonists arrive early for additional fun).
And then there's the North Central Chapter's Fall Meeting. This year we'll be in Sioux Falls, SD. Our host, Ken Alvine, has informed me that there are a lot of surprises and fun for this year's meeting. Our guest speaker is none other than the toast of the Beltway, Pulitzer Prize Winning Editorial Cartoonist, Ann Telnaes. Her South Dakota fan club is starting to look like an Occupy Movement. You can find Ann's animation work at the Washington Post in the Opinion section.
The registration forms have been hitting mailboxes like the swallows returning to Capistrano and leaving little reminders on the freshly washed cars at Weseloh & Sons Chevrolet on Camino Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano. If you haven't received yours, let me know and I'll make sure that you get one. You can, of course, contact the good folks in Maitland, FL and they'll register you online. Let's not bother our dear REALLY BIG LEADER, Tom. He has enough to do to get ready for this shindig.
We're hoping to get a really great turn out from the North Central Chapter. I know this sounds a tad hypocritical coming from me, since I haven't been to a Reubens since Chicago. But hey, I had to wash my hair.... My cat ate the registration form... Wha'?! Yes, I'm registered. Yes I have a room reserved at the Green Valley Resort and Spa (I'll be spending a lot of time in the hot tub or at the bar). And yes, I have my airline tickets (on my favorite airline).
I hope as many of you as possible can make the trip. I know that times are still tight, the economy is improving as we're all told. In fact I heard that the Koch brothers aren't carpooling to work anymore. And there are more cartoon events coming down the pipe.
There's the Comic-Con International in San Diego in July. Registration has just opened for that.
The Disney Toonfest will be September 13-15 (actually its the 14-15, but the cartoonists arrive early for additional fun).
And then there's the North Central Chapter's Fall Meeting. This year we'll be in Sioux Falls, SD. Our host, Ken Alvine, has informed me that there are a lot of surprises and fun for this year's meeting. Our guest speaker is none other than the toast of the Beltway, Pulitzer Prize Winning Editorial Cartoonist, Ann Telnaes. Her South Dakota fan club is starting to look like an Occupy Movement. You can find Ann's animation work at the Washington Post in the Opinion section.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Judging weekend
The North Central bunch gathered in the metropolis of Johnston, IA (a 'burb of Des Moines) to judge the Greeting Card category of the 2011 Reuben Awards. Before I forget, the info packet for reservations and registration for the Reubens have been mailed out. If you haven't received yours, contact Phil Pyster in Maitland, FL (phil@crowsegal.com or latish@crowsegal or lois@crowsegal ... whew!) and he can get you signed in. Have your credit card at the ready. Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, we gathered to do our duty for the NCS and the Reuben Awards. First, we found the hotel, Stoney Creek Inn whose style put me in the mood to go fly fishing... lots of logs, moose light switch plates, and stuffed animals on the beds. (I had a raccoon. I think Fell had a Sasquatch.) John Hambrock, always the first to arrive, met us at the door then followed us to our rooms. I think John was out of beer and was hoping to get a free one (or two). Then we drove to the Jones' house where Bucky and Kim entertained us with a house FULL of cartoon artwork, and not all of it was Buck's, some rather unusual toys and collectibles from Bucky's toy chest (I'd say more but this is a family website), more beer, wine for the ladies, and plenty of munchies to keep even this carnivorous lot satisfied. Eventually the guys from the Minnesota area arrived and joined in the fun. All in all, we had a good turnout for the party. The Fell's, Paul and his lovely bride Arlene (she who must be obeyed) left early, because, well she must be obeyed. The rest of us partied on until around 11:00-ish. Then back to the hotel.
Next morning we met for breakfast in the lavish and swank hotel dining den ... if you were there you know what I'm talking about. A quick bit to eat and it was upstairs to the Pine Room (conference room) where we laid out the entries and the judging began. I had the room reserved from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm. We found ourselves telling stories, drawing funny cartoons (after all, that's what we do) for the kids of a friend of Buck's who joined us AFTER the judging was done and everything was put away, and talking about the pranks we'd be pulling in Las Vegas. Oops! I wasn't supposed to say that. Just ignore that one, please.
The judging went very, very quickly. I'm sure it had little to do with my fabulous pre-planning and organizational skills. Even so, we finished quickly, checked out of the hotel and then had lunch at the Okiboji Grill, just a hop-skip-and-a-jump from the hotel. A good time was had by all.
See you in Las Vegas! :-)
Friday, January 13, 2012
While you're in Las Vegas...
I received this email from Bill Kellogg, yesterday. He thought some of us might be interested.
Greetings Fellow NCS Members!
Chad and I (Tundra cartoonist & Tundra marketing guy) hosted a seminar in Vegas a year or so ago on how to make money with comics and it went over extremely well. Now, due to popular request, and the fact that it gets really cold in Alaska in February, we're going to do it again.
If you (or anyone you know) would like to learn how to make more money with your comics, join us in Las Vegas this February 24th, 25th & 26th for the 2nd annual Success in the World of Comics seminar. Syndicated cartoonists are welcome too. There will be fourteen speakers over two days, sharing their knowledge on how to make money with comics. Topics include: How to get syndicated, self-syndicating, web comics, producing & marketing products, licensing, animation, building a Facebook following, and much more. There will be social get-togethers each night too with free beer, wine and snacks so you will have plenty of time to talk one-on-one with the speakers and other guests.
This Years’ speakers are:
Chad Carpenter & Bill Kellogg – (Tundra Comics)
Jack Newcombe – (President of Creator’s Syndicate)
Tom Gammill – (The Simpsons)
Mell Lazarus – (Momma and Miss Peach)
Rob Tornoe – (Editorial and Sports cartoonist. Editor and Publisher of Punchline magazine)
Adrian Raeside (The Other Coast, and writer for children’s shows such as Kid vs. Kat)
Mark Parisi & Lynn Reznik – (Off the Mark)
Mason Mastroianni – (B.C. Cartoonist and Emmy Award winning animator)
Mick Mastroianni – (Writer for B.C., Wizard of Id and Dogs of C Kennel)
John Read – (Publisher of Stay Tooned magazine)
Daniele Corsetto - (Girls With Slingshots – web comic)
Debbra Abeyta – (Newspaper pagination with Vertis)
For more details and information, click here: http://www.tundracomics.com/content.asp?CAT_ID=75
NCS members can attend for just $300 too. That’s $75 off the regular price. Click here to register: http://www.tundracomics.com/content.asp?CAT_ID=120
The seminar will also be covered by Alan Gardner of The Daily Cartoonist. Visit www.dailycartoonist.com and type “seminar” in the search box to see his write-up from the last seminar and read the comments from the attendees.
For questions or more information, please contact Bill Kellogg at 907-441-6882 or bill@tundracomics.com.
Thank you,
Bill
Bill Kellogg
Marketing Director
Tundra Comics
907-441-6882
bill@tundracomics.com
Greetings Fellow NCS Members!
Chad and I (Tundra cartoonist & Tundra marketing guy) hosted a seminar in Vegas a year or so ago on how to make money with comics and it went over extremely well. Now, due to popular request, and the fact that it gets really cold in Alaska in February, we're going to do it again.
If you (or anyone you know) would like to learn how to make more money with your comics, join us in Las Vegas this February 24th, 25th & 26th for the 2nd annual Success in the World of Comics seminar. Syndicated cartoonists are welcome too. There will be fourteen speakers over two days, sharing their knowledge on how to make money with comics. Topics include: How to get syndicated, self-syndicating, web comics, producing & marketing products, licensing, animation, building a Facebook following, and much more. There will be social get-togethers each night too with free beer, wine and snacks so you will have plenty of time to talk one-on-one with the speakers and other guests.
This Years’ speakers are:
Chad Carpenter & Bill Kellogg – (Tundra Comics)
Jack Newcombe – (President of Creator’s Syndicate)
Tom Gammill – (The Simpsons)
Mell Lazarus – (Momma and Miss Peach)
Rob Tornoe – (Editorial and Sports cartoonist. Editor and Publisher of Punchline magazine)
Adrian Raeside (The Other Coast, and writer for children’s shows such as Kid vs. Kat)
Mark Parisi & Lynn Reznik – (Off the Mark)
Mason Mastroianni – (B.C. Cartoonist and Emmy Award winning animator)
Mick Mastroianni – (Writer for B.C., Wizard of Id and Dogs of C Kennel)
John Read – (Publisher of Stay Tooned magazine)
Daniele Corsetto - (Girls With Slingshots – web comic)
Debbra Abeyta – (Newspaper pagination with Vertis)
For more details and information, click here: http://www.tundracomics.com/content.asp?CAT_ID=75
NCS members can attend for just $300 too. That’s $75 off the regular price. Click here to register: http://www.tundracomics.com/content.asp?CAT_ID=120
The seminar will also be covered by Alan Gardner of The Daily Cartoonist. Visit www.dailycartoonist.com and type “seminar” in the search box to see his write-up from the last seminar and read the comments from the attendees.
For questions or more information, please contact Bill Kellogg at 907-441-6882 or bill@tundracomics.com.
Thank you,
Bill
Bill Kellogg
Marketing Director
Tundra Comics
907-441-6882
bill@tundracomics.com
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