December 8th, 2014

Lots Of Fun Cartoony Things Goin’ On!!

by John Rose

We’re having a hoot an’ a holler with all the fun cartoony things going on this week!  Our bodacious buddy Barney Google returns, I’m doing a radio interview and  the opening of King of the Comics: William Randolph Hearst and 100 Years of King Features is happening!  Whew!  So, Like I said, lots of fun cartoony things are going on!

First of all, I am doing another “Barney revisits Hootin’ Holler” series. Starting on Dec. 7th and lasting until Dec. 13th, the week-long series features Barney, along with his horse Spark Plug, getting a job giving horse-drawn carriage rides.  The Sunday page shown above, kicks off the week!

I will be a guest on WSVA Radio AM 550 on the “Late Afternoons With Mike Schikman” show on Wednesday, December 10th at 4:47 pm.  I  will talk about my work as cartoonist for the “Barney Google and Snuffy Smith” strip and my book collection, The Bodacious Best Of Snuffy Smith.  The radio station’s website is www.wsvaonline.com and you can go there and click the “Listen Live” button to hear the show.  Mike hosts a really fun, entertaining show and I am a big fan!  Plus, Mike is the “voice” of James Madison University sports, of which I am a big fan, as well.  I am honored he asked to interview me.

This weekend, my wife Karen and I are excited to attend the opening of King of the Comics: William Randolph Hearst and 100 Years of King Features, an upcoming exhibit at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum guest curated by Brian Walker (“Hi & Lois”). This exhibit examines the role that William Randolph Hearst played in the birth of newspaper comics and traces the 100-year history of King Features, the company he founded to develop and distribute comics, columns, editorial cartoons, puzzles and games around the world. Brian Walker, author of The Comics: The Complete Collection and co-curator of the exhibit Masters of American Comics, is serving as guest curator for this historic exhibition.

Among the many King creations included in this exhibition will be: The Katzenjammer Kids, Happy Hooligan, Little Jimmy, Bringing Up Father, Krazy Kat, Polly and Her Pals, Tillie the Toiler, Popeye, Blondie, Barney Google and Snuffy Smith, Flash Gordon, Mandrake the Magician, The Little King, Henry, Prince Valiant, Buz Sawyer, Rip Kirby, Beetle Bailey, Dennis the Menace, Juliet Jones, Hi and Lois, Family Circus, The Lockhorns, Hägar the Horrible, Zippy, Marvin, Curtis, Bizarro, Baby Blues, Mutts, Rhymes with Orange, Zits, Tina’s Groove and Dustin. In addition to original drawings by the artists, related materials, such as printed newspaper pages, photographs, correspondence, sales brochures, advertisements and merchandise, will dramatically demonstrate the impact that King Features has had on the evolution and success of newspaper comics.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13
FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
1-7pm (schedule below)

OPENING EVENTS SCHEDULE

On Saturday, December 13th the public is invited to celebrate the opening of King of the Comics: William Randolph Hearst and 100 Years of King Features at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum. Events are free.

1:00 pm: Curator’s Tour with Brian Walker

2:30 pm: “Behind the Scenes with King Features’ Mutts and Rhymes with Orange,” featuring Patrick McDonnell, Hilary Price and Brendan Burford

3:30 pm: “The Making of Zits and Baby Blues,” featuring Jerry Scott, Jim Borgman and Rick Kirkman, moderated by The Simpsons’ writer, Tom Gammill

5 – 7:00 pm: Opening reception

Remarks at 5:30 pm

WEXNER FILM EVENTS

In conjunction with the opening celebration, The Wexner Center for the Arts will show two films adapted from iconic King Features characters. Both will be screened in 35mm in the center’s Film/Video Theater. Visit wexarts.org for tickets and information.

Friday, December 12, 7:00 pm: Popeye starring Robin Williams (Robert Altman, 1980)

Sunday, December 14, 1 pm: Prince Valiant starring Robert Wagner and Janet Leigh (Henry Hathaway, 1954)

It should be an exciting, fun-filled weekend with lots of cartoonists in attendance!  If you live nearby, please come on Saturday for the opening of King of the Comics: William Randolph Hearst and 100 Years of King Features!  Hopefully, in the next week or two, I’ll have some bodacious photos to post from this big event!