Visit of the Department of Animation at K’Arts, Seoul (CommArts Faculty Seminar, June 2017)

On 18 June 201718 June 2017 By Nicolas VerstappenIn Events, Faculty of Communication Arts (Chulalongkorn University), South KoreaLeave a comment

Day 4 June 13_170615_0026 — **Faculty of Communication Arts** (Chulalongkorn University) members welcomed by the **School of Film, TV and Multimedia** (Korean National University of Arts) at K’Arts, Seoul.

20170613_112051 — It was a pleasure and honour to meet Professor Lee Jungmin, Course Director of the Department of Animation (and Comics/Manhwa) at the prestigious Korea National University of Arts (K’ARTS), during our Faculty Seminar. With a private tour of the Department, and a quick look at the students’ animation screenings! Thank you so much! 고맙습니다! Eager to meet you again soon! Aj. Nicolas

Screenings of animation projects by K’Arts students.

Wall drawing at the **Department of Animation**, K’Arts, Seoul.

Student’s manhwa project at the Department of Animation, K’Arts, Seoul.

Wall drawing at the Department of Animation, K’Arts, Seoul.

Private tour of the Department of Animation, K’Arts, Seoul.

“When Manga, Franco-Belgian and American Comics Collide; Or the Genesis of Thai Alternative Comics”; a lecture at Gakushuin University, Tokyo (Dec. 2016).

On 18 June 2017 By Nicolas VerstappenIn Events, Faculty of Communication Arts (Chulalongkorn University), Japan, Talks, Thai Comics, ThailandLeave a comment

During our 5-day field trip in Tokyo with coordinator P’Pum and 17 students of the Faculty of Communication Arts (International Program, Chulalongkorn University), we were welcomed by the prestigious Gakushuin University (Tokyo, Japan) to hold a lecture on the History of Thai Comics.

Suttichart

The lecture at Gakushuin University (Tokyo) was titled “When Manga, Franco-Belgian and American Comics Collide; Or the Genesis of Thai Alternative Comics.” It focused on presenting why I consider that the composite style of Thai pioneering alternative cartoonist Suttichart Sarapaiwanich on the series “Joe the Sea-Cret agent” is concurrently at the crossroads of American, Japanese and Franco-Belgian comics traditions and yet a remarkable artistic expression of ‘Thainess’ (and of the globalized and eclectic modern Thai way-of-life in the aftermath of the Tom Yum Goong crisis).

15542349_10153958340026933_6817606228998090534_n — Following Professor Natsume Fusanosuke-sensei to a beautiful building of the prestigious Gakushuin University, Tokyo.

15585191_10153958362711933_6212888394703362298_o — “Konban-wa. Gakushuin Daigaku no minasama, **Fusanosuke Natsume**-sensei, Shiina Yukari-san, soshite Kensuke Noda-san, konkai no event o kaisai site kudasari. Watashi, Pum-san to Thai no gakusei nittote, totemo kouei na koto desu. Arigato gozaimasu”. My heartfelt thanks again to Gakushuin University for the warm welcome, to Natsume-sensei for the invitation, to Yukari-san for translating my messy sentences, and to Yukari-san & Kensuke-san for the organization! It’s been a wonderful evening!
And Arigato gozaimasu Watanabe Kanako-san for the text in Japanese! ありがとうございました! Photo by P’Pum.

Thai comics (Sawas Jutharop & “Khun Muen”, 1936). Photo by Yanner Chen.

Thai comics (Suttichart Sarapaiwanich & “JOE the SeaCret Agent”, 1998). Photo by Yanner Chen.

Note 000 — Presenting the work of highly influential Thai cartoonist Eakasit Thairaat. Photo by Note.

Note 005 — So tired… Can’t understand Natsume-sensei questions anymore… Sumimasen!!! Photo by Note.

15443247_10153958385221933_4825534267932612651_o — Delicious buffet organized by Gakushuin University after the lecture for all our CommArts students and attending audience. And honor, again, to be invited, to meet and to discuss with Natsume-sensei! ありがとうございました! KANPAÏ! Photo by P’Pum.

15577889_10153958383711933_8546511015083398798_o — ありがとうございました! KANPAÏ!

15541026_10153958386346933_8863301912266624931_o — Deeply honored to meet and discuss with Ono Kosei-sensei, a leading authority in Manga, Comics and Film criticism! ありがとうございました

“Female Voices in Comics Art: Sharing Perspectives from Thailand, Spain, Japan and the U.S.A.” Round Table

On 18 June 2017 By Nicolas VerstappenIn Events, Faculty of Communication Arts (Chulalongkorn University), Japan, Non classé, Programme in Communication Design (Chulalongkorn University), Spain, Talks, Thai Comics, ThailandLeave a comment

FEMALE VOICES IN COMICS ART DEF copy

The round table “Female Voices in Comics Art: Sharing Perspectives from Thailand, Spain, Japan and the U.S.A.” was held on Friday, March 10, at the BACC (Bangkok Art and Culture Center) during the HeForShe Arts Week Bangkok (UN Women for Asia and the Pacific) in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in Bangkok (Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y de Cooperación de España). It was a rich, meaningful and cheerful talk with an amazing panel composed of Thai artist Tunlaya Dunn, Thai-American artist Kathy MacLeod, Spanish artist Carla Berrocal (also curator of the PRESENTES exhibition, and my Thai colleague & Manga scholar Aj. Mashima Tojirakarn (PhD. candidate, University of Kyoto). I’ve been honoured to act as the moderator of this round table (thank you again Kathy for suggesting my name). The discussion focused on comics and women, and most interestingly, on gender equality in the industry, as well as on the rise of female voices in Thai Comics, and on the rich history of Spanish comics by female cartoonists (PRESENTES exhibition). I would like to extend my warmest thanks to HeForShe Arts Week Bangkok’s curators Alejandro Hita & David Fernández for the organization of this whole week, and specific event, as well as Embassy of Spain in Bangkok’s representatives Maria Salcedo Ortiz (Deputy Head of Mission) & Joan Vicens Mestre for their invaluable participation to the event, and partners Chulalongkorn University & BACC. Thank you Carla, Kathy, Tunlaya & Mashima for the great talk! ขอบคุณมากนะครับ Pathumporn Tik Thongking for the wonderful pics!

Aj. Nicolas Verstappen

HFS-BACC10-78 — The “Here Comes Trouble” Dream Team! From right to left: my Thai colleague & Manga scholar Aj. Mashima Tojirakarn (PhD. candidate, University of Kyoto), Thai designer and cartoonist Tunlaya Dunn,Thai-American illustrator and cartoonist Kathy MacLeod, Spanish cartoonist and illustrator Carla Berrocal, HeForShe Arts Week BKK’s co-curator Alejandro Hita (UN Women), Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Spain in Bangkok Maria Salcedo Ortis, and yours truly.
Photo credits: UN Women/Pathumporn Tik Thongking

HFS-BACC10-62 — Presenting the guests of the “Female Voices in Comics Art” round table; Carla Berrocal, Kathy MacLeod, Tunlaya Dunn & Mashima Tojirakarn.
Photo credits: UN Women/Pathumporn Tik Thongking

HFS-BACC10-69 — Illustrator and cartoonist Kathy MacLeod discussing with the other guests of the “Female Voices in Comics Art” round table; Carla Berrocal, Tunlaya Dunn & Mashima Tojirakarn. Photo credits: UN Women/Pathumporn Tik Thongking

HFS-BACC10-87 — Women voices in the comics industry around the world. Thai female cartoonists Tongkarn, Vic-Mon & Chingching Krittiemmek confronting “Seng” Songwit Seakitikul (in his graphic novel “Almost All of Us”, Fullstop Books, and ขอบคุณมากนะครับ Birdme for the translation) in Thailand; the “**Collectif des créatrices de bande dessinée contre le sexisme**” (Female Comics Creators Against Sexism) in France and abroad; and “**Autoras de Cómic**” in Spain.
Photo credits: UN Women/Pathumporn Tik Thongking

HFS-BACC10-75 — My Thai colleague & Manga scholar Aj. Mashima Tojirakarn (University of Kyoto) discussing with the other guests of the “Female Voices in Comics Art” round table; Carla Berrocal, Tunlaya Dunn & Kathy MacLeod.
Photo credits: UN Women/Pathumporn Tik Thongking

HFS-BACC10-95 — Rich, meaningful and cheerful talk withthe guests of the “Female Voices in Comics Art” round table; Carla Berrocal (talking), Kathy MacLeod, Tunlaya Dunn & Mashima Tojirakarn.
Photo credits: UN Women/Pathumporn Tik Thongking

HFS-BACC10-77 — As a conclusion of the “Female Voices in Comics Art” round table, the presentation of a remarkable short comics (related to the topic of “violence against women”) composed for my course by Ms. **Arty Nicharee** (Entryh), a promising first-year student of the **International Program in Communication Design** (Department of Industrial Design, Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University).
Photo credits: UN Women/Pathumporn Tik Thongking

HFS-BACC10-93 — As a conclusion of the “Female Voices in Comics Art” round table, the presentation of a remarkable short comics (related to the topic of “violence against women”) composed for my course by Ms. **Arty Nicharee** (Entryh), a promising first-year student of the **International Program in Communication Design** (Department of Industrial Design, Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University).
Photo credits: UN Women/Pathumporn Tik Thongking

Classic Franco-Belgian Comics (II)

On 25 April 2017 By Nicolas VerstappenIn 1950s, Belgium, Creat Writ: Lesson 07, Franco-Belgian Comics (Classic), JIJÉ (GILLAIN, Joseph), Lucky Luke, MORRIS (DE BEVERE, Maurice), SpirouLeave a comment

“Zig et Puce” by Alain Saint-Ogan (FR), and “Tintin” by Hergé (BE)

“Jerry Spring” by Jijé (BE) & Lob (FR), and “Lucky Luke” by Morris (BE) & René Goscinny (FR)

Some Franco-Belgian classic comics acquired at La Crypte Tonique (Brussels) to illustrate -materially- the two courses dedicated to the History of Franco-Belgian “bandes dessinées” at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok. PS: Merci Philippe Capart!

Moustique 001 — Cover of “Moustique” weekly magazine #1481 (Dupuis, BE, June 13, 1954).

Moustique 002 — Page from “Blanc Casque'” by Jijé (BE, goo.gl/P3l4wh) as published in “Moustique” weekly magazine #1481 (Dupuis, BE, June 13, 1954). Based on the novel by Joseph Pirot.

Moustique 003 — Page from “Lucky Luke et Phil Defer ‘Le Faucheux'” by Morris (BE) as published in “Moustique” weekly magazine #1481 (Dupuis, BE, June 13, 1954). Comics available in English language: goo.gl/o186fV

Moustique 004 — Last tier of a page from “Lucky Luke et Phil Defer ‘Le Faucheux'” by Morris (BE) as published in “Moustique” weekly magazine #1481 (Dupuis, BE, June 13, 1954). Comics available in English language: goo.gl/o186fV

Phil Wire — Cover of the English edition of “Lucky Luke contre Phil Defer” (Morris, BE): goo.gl/o186fV

Moustique 005 — “Spirou” (goo.gl/wf4C73) voucher (to be collected every week in order to be redeemed for a board game) as published in “Moustique” weekly magazine #1481 (Dupuis, BE, June 13, 1954).

Classic Franco-Belgian Comics (I)

On 24 April 201724 April 2017 By Nicolas VerstappenIn Cadet-revue (magazine), Creat Writ: Lesson 03, France, Franco-Belgian Comics (Classic), SAINT-OGAN, AlainLeave a comment

“Zig et Puce” by Alain Saint-Ogan (FR), and “Tintin” by Hergé (BE)

“Jerry Spring” by Jijé (BE) & Lob (FR), and “Lucky Luke” by Morris (BE) & René Goscinny (FR)

Alain 001 — Front cover of “Cadet-revue”, May 15, 1939, France. “Saint Francis of Assisi – Animals, my brothers”; one of my favourite illustrations by French cartoonist and illustrator Alain Saint-Ogan (goo.gl/dKom7j).

Alain 002 — Back cover of “Cadet-revue”, May 15, 1939, France. One of my favourite pages by French cartoonist and illustrator Alain Saint-Ogan (goo.gl/dKom7j): “Monsieur Poche: un animal étrange.” First printed in “Dimanche illustré” #623, February 3, 1935, France.

Monsieur poche — Original artwork of the page “Monsieur Poche: un animal étrange” first published in “Dimanche illustré” #623, February 3, 1935, France. Analysis by Thierry Groensteen: goo.gl/kamg93. In the collection of the Museum of the Cité Internationale de la Bande Dessinée et de l’Image, Angoulême, France.

“I Guess” by Chris Ware, USA, 1991

On 18 September 201619 September 2016 By Nicolas VerstappenIn 1990s, AesComm Theo, Rare/Classic Short Comics, RAW (anthology), Text/Image Tension, USA, WARE, Chris2 Comments

I Guess (a.k.a. “Thrilling Adventure Stories”) by Chris Ware (USA) in: RAW Vol 2, #3, High Culture for Lowbrows, Penguin Books, 1991. Via Glad You Asked.

If words can be drawn, and images written, then the tension between words and images can become quite complex. For example, in “I Guess” (Raw 2:3, 1991, reprinted in Ware, Quimby), alternative cartoonist Chris Ware experiments with a radically disjunctive form of verbal/visual interplay: a six-page story that sustains parallel verbal and pictorial narratives throughout, never quite reconciling one to the other […]. Admittedly, “I Guess” represents a radical questioning of the way comics work […]. Dismantling genre as well as form, Ware’s experiment demonstrates the potential of comics to create challenging, multilayered texts: his simple broadly representational drawings contribute to, rather than mitigate, the suggestive complexity of the narrative, while the blank naive narrational voice both amplifies and undercuts the appeal of the drawings. (Charles Hatfield, “Alternative Comics: An Emerging Literature”, The University Press of Mississippi, 2005)

iguess — PAGE 1/6 (colour version, 2003)

David Lloyd & the Painted Smile: public talk, retrospective exhibition, masterclass, workshop, portfolio reviews and press day at Chulalongkorn University

On 3 July 201618 June 2017 By Nicolas VerstappenIn Events, Exhibition, Faculty of Communication Arts (Chulalongkorn University), Interview, LLOYD, David, Talks, UK, Workshop1 Comment

V for Vendetta co-creator and artist David Lloyd, special guest of our Faculty (Faculty of Communication Arts), Chulalongkorn University, for a public talk, a retrospective exhibition, a masterclass, a workshop and portfolio reviews. The workshop and portfolio reviews have their own dedicated post over here. Press interviews (tv, radio, magazine, newspaper) conducted with David Lloyd during his visit in Thailand are gathered at the end of this article.

During the public talk held at the Faculty of Communication Arts on March 23, 2016, David Lloyd discussed the creation of the essential graphic novel V for Vendetta, its movie adaptation, the designing and popularity of the iconic Guy Fawkes/V/Anonymous mask, the historical launch of the “British Invasion”, the developing field of webcomics, and the composition of profound, engaged and sophisticated narratives in Comics Art.

Public Talk: David Lloyd and the Painted Smile

Public Talk: Inaugural speech by Assistant Professor Dr. Duang-Kamol Chartprasert, Dean of the Faculty of Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University

Public Talk: Yours truly with Mr. David Lloyd

Public Talk: Mr. David Lloyd and Assistant Professor Dr. Duang-Kamol Chartprasert, Dean of the Faculty of Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University

In the early 80s, English artist David Lloyd created and designed the character of V and his now famous Guy Fawkes mask (known lately as the “Anonymous mask”). Inviting the promising writer Alan Moore to join his comics project, David Lloyd required from his collaborator to avoid any thought balloons or voice over emanating from the masked freedom fighter. The constraint, remarkable and innovative at the time in the field, strengthened the ambiguity and complexity of the inner motivations and turmoil of V as he spreads terror amongst the leaders of a corrupted and fascist government in a dystopian England evoking George Orwell’s 1984. First conceived with a stark and impressing black-and-white chiaroscuro and serialized between 1982 and 1985 in the English magazine Warrior, the sophisticated narrative drew the attention of major publishers on the other side of the Atlantic.

David Lloyd’s masterclass with the students of the Creative/Graphic Writing course, CommArts, Chula (March 28, 2016)

V for Vendetta, and David Lloyd as an artist and a liaison representative, participated to the groundbreaking “British Invasion” of American comics which led to the creation of the high-quality Vertigo imprint by DC Comics and to the publication of major graphic novels such as Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ Watchmen. Working with Grant Morrison on John Constantine: Hellblazer, with Garth Ennis on War Stories or with Jamie Delano on the outstanding tales Nightraven and The Horrorist, David Lloyd never ceased to explore the complexity of the human psyche without ever compromising his own artistic and political integrity. Regarded by the critics as an essential graphic novel, V for Vendetta experienced a new wave of popularity through its 2006 movie adaptation produced by the Wachowski brothers (now sisters) and starring Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving. The Guy Fawkes mask became an anti-establishment and anti-authoritarian symbol in protests around the world, from the Occupy Wall Street movement to the Arab Spring revolutionary wave. Through its appropriation and extended use by the ‘hacktivist’ group Anonymous, it is now one of the most important revolutionary icons in recent decades with more than 100,000 official copies of the masks being sold annually. Using the gained popularity of his creation to promote the works of other (and often debuting) cartoonists, David Lloyd launched in 2012 the online comics anthology Aces Weekly, one of the first attempts of the kind in the developing field of webcomics.

On March 28, 2016, David hold a masterclass with the students of the Creative Writing (28003216 – Graphic Writing) course. He discussed comics art and visual storytelling and provided individual comments on the graphic narratives produced by the students.

Press: Interview with David Lloyd for Thai channel Voice TV.

Press: Interview with David Lloyd for Thai channel Voice TV by khun Flag.

Press: Radio interview with David Lloyd by Colin Cheney & Donald Quist for “Poet in Bangkok”.

David Lloyd interview conducted by Pim-On for “a day bulletin”.

Press: Signing for RadioMANGA.

Press: Radio interview with David Lloyd for RadioMANGA by Thai cartoonists Suttichart Sarapaiwanich, Eakasit Thairaat and Songsin Tiewsomboon.

Press interviews (tv, radio, magazine, newspaper) done with David Lloyd during his visit in Thailand.

TELEVISION:

The first of the two-part interview with David Lloyd for Thai channel Voice TV is available (in Thai) over here. The second of the two-part TV interview (in Thai) with David Lloyd focuses on the comics artform, on the banning of sound effects in V for Vendetta and on digital comics (David Lloyd being the publisher of the Aces Weekly digital comics anthology). Report shot in front of the retrospective exhibition dedicated to David’s career, right after his public talk at the Faculty of Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University.

MAGAZINE:

Interview with David Lloyd conducted by khun Pim-On for the magazine a day bulletin #407 (at the Faculty of Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University). Available (in Thai) over here.

NEWSPAPER:

Interview with David Lloyd and four-page “cover story” by Richard S. Ehrlich for the Bangkok Post weekly cultural supplement Brunch (April 3-9, 2016). Available (in English) on this page.

RADIO:

Podcast of the interview (in English w/ Thai translation) with David Lloyd by three famous Thai cartoonists (Suttichart Sarapaiwanich, Eakasit Thairaat and Songsin Tiewsomboon) for RadioMANGA. Available over here!

Podcast of the interview (in English) with David Lloyd by Colin Cheney & Donald Quist for Poet in Bangkok. “In this eighth episode (Episode #8: A Very Small Irony), Colin and Donald speak with acclaimed comics artist David Lloyd, co-creator and illustrator of V for Vendetta. David discusses his working class upbringing and how American culture fed his development as an artist. He gives insight into some of his earlier collaborations with Alan Moore and other writers. David also shares his impressions of Bangkok and provides his perspective on the use of his V for Vendetta Guy Fawkes mask by Thai protesters”. Available over there!

In the Press: For “a day poet”. Interview by khun Pim-on & picture by khun W. Yeedoung.

In the Press: “cover story” by Richard S. Ehrlich fo the “Bangkok Post” weekly cultural supplement “Brunch” (April 3-9, 2016)

In the Press: David Lloyd, “V for Vendetta” & RadioMANGA!

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to David Lloyd for honoring our Faculty with his visit, to Assistant Professor Dr. Duang-Kamol Chartprasert, Dean of the Faculty of Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University, Dr. Jirayudh Sinthuphan, Communication Management Program chairperson, and all the CommArts staff for their support. I would like to express my thanks to Bird, Look-in, Lookme, Looksorn, Narada, Big, Vi, Bomb, Nic Dunlop and Colin Cheney for their valuable assistance. Aj. Nicolas Verstappen

“Brother John” (in French) by Jerome Charyn & André Juillard, USA/FR, 1990

On 3 July 20163 July 2016 By Nicolas VerstappenIn 1990s, Braiding, CHARYN, Jerome, Echo des Savanes, L' (magazine), France, Iconic Iteration, JUILLARD, André, Through Space Through Time, USALeave a comment

Brother John (in French), story by Jerome Charyn (USA) & art by André Juillard (FR), in: USA Magazine (L’Écho des savanes) spécial été #48/49, Albin Michel, FR, June 1990.

“Daddy’s Girl: Visitors in the Night” (first version) by Debbie Drechsler, USA, 1992

On 3 July 20163 July 2016 By Nicolas VerstappenIn 1990s, AesComm Theo, Canada, Drawn and Quarterly, Dream/Subconscious, DRECHSLER, Debbie, Imgt Comm, Psychic Trauma, USA2 Comments

Daddy’s Girl: Visitors in the Night (first version) by Debbie Drechsler (USA), in: Drawn & Quarterly (Anthology) Vol.1, #10, Drawn & Quarterly, CAN, 1992. The author’s first name “Debbie” was changed into “Lily” in the Daddy’s Girl collection (Fantagraphics Books, USA). More on the topic in our interview with Debbie Drechsler.

“Visitors in the Night” – or “Daddy’s Girl” as the book was eventually called – is a masterpiece of horror. And it’s all the more horrifying because it is true, and because the actions depicted, the innocence-killing, soul-destroying actions, are happening right now, everyday, all around the world. (Richard Sala, in XeroXed #4, July 2004)

Contains scenes of a sexual nature. Viewer discretion advised.

“Werewolf” by Larry Ivie & Frank Frazetta, USA, late 1964

On 3 July 20163 July 2016 By Nicolas VerstappenIn 1960s, Creepy (magazine), DAVIS, Jack, FRAZETTA, Frank, IVIE, Larry, Original Art, Rare/Classic Short Comics, USA, Warren PublishingLeave a comment

Werewolf, script by Larry Ivie (USA) and art by Frank Frazetta (USA), in: Creepy #1, Warren Publishing, USA, late 1964.

Frazetta - Creepy 1 - Werewolf — PAGE 4/6 (original artwork)

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