Reflecting on 2012

Chris Sparks here,with only hours left in 2012, I wanted to send a note thanking  the contributors, auction winners, book buyers, donors, cheerleaders,all of the fine folks at the Michael J Fox Foundation, anyone I forgot to mention and of course Richard Thompson.

From that moment, the wheels were turning and with Richards blessing Team Cul de Sac started in 2010 with a donation to Team Fox for $50.00 from me to start Team Cul de Sac.

In 2011, we sold prints signed by Richard, TCDS t-shirts and had a drink and draw evening at Heroescon . We raised over four thousand dollars.

This year we had many ways to raise money for Michael J Fox Foundation. We had a wonderful auction, the book was released, a drink and draw and Heroescon, donations from Sparking Design who donated money from book sales from our website, the TCDS fanzine, we even had a few signed copies by Richard, Bill and Nick. Also a bunch of folks donated money to Team Cul de Sac.

My favorite moments for Team Cul de Sac in 2012:

Opening the advance copies of the book in May!  This was a very satisfying moment seeing everything coming together.

Meeting or receiving emails from friends, family members and folks with Parkinson’s. Their love and friendship made this journey so meaningful.

Sneak peak of the book to the contributors and other cartoonists and the NCS awards in Las Vegas.

I signed the first copy of Team Cul de Sac to Michael J Fox and I attended the MJFF Gala in NYC. A special thank you goes to Katy Robbins Reitz for all of her hard work at Team Fox.

Engineering a Bill Watterson and Richard Thompson gathering. Without a doubt, two of the greatest cartoonists to spill ink on paper. Fun times for all.

I had my first book signing with Richard and having over ten other TCDS contributors at One More Page in Arlington VA.

Watching the end of the auction unfold and amazed by the money we made!

Having Jennifer my wife, Emily my daughter and my business partner Jamie, at the book signing at Politics and Prose in Washington DC.

Being a guest at Heroescon (plus drink and draw for Team Cul de Sac) and being a guest at Baltimorecon and the Harvey Awards. FUN times and great support from so many people!

Meeting contributors throughout the year and knowing we will have made over $100.000 with the matching funds this year.  

Thank you to everyone who made this year a success and raising awareness for Parkinson’s research. Big thanks to Craig,Katy,Mike(s),Nick Bill and Richard. 

Much love and admiration,

Chris

Stay tuned to our blog and facebook page for news on upcoming news!

Dec 2: JK Snyder III at Capicons convention

Baltimore artist John K Snyder III is appearing at Capicons on December 2.

• 2148 Gallows Road
• Dunn Loring, Virginia 22027

http://capicons.com


John did a lovely page in the Team Cul de Sac book, so you should buy a copy and have him sign it. He's appearing on behalf of Hero Initiative charity.

TCDS made the Comics Reporter Shopping Guide

Thank you to Tom For picking our TCDS book in his shopping guide for the holidays!http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/the_comics_reporters_black_friday_holiday_shopping_guide_2012actualpublish/

Also, don't forget to order from Chris at http://sparkingdesign.com/order-team-cul-de-sac-book/

E&P interviews Thompson on ending his strip

Syndicates: Richard Thompson On Ending His Beloved Comic Strip 'Cul de Sac'
by: Rob Tornoe
Editor and Publisher  10/16/2012
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/Newsletter/Columns/Syndicates--Richard-Thompson-On-Ending-His-Beloved-Comic-Strip--Cul-de-Sac-

Keeping up with Cyborg Richard Thompson's treatment part 5

Nick Galifianakis @6:49 pm on October 12:

First message from Richard Thompson post-brain surgery!:

"Hey guys, you gotta ret this. It's delightful."

Nick Galifianakis @ 8:59 on October 12:

Okay, the latest is that RT is resting comfortably, more alert than you think - more for you tomorrow.

Thank you so much for the warm thoughts and kind words...he will see and hear all of it, I promise.

Nick Galifianakis @ 11: 30 on October 13:

New Update: Richard Thompson was moved to his room, finally and had an otherwise uneventful night and a good breakfast this morning. Strength in the extremities is good, he's alert, his voice is still very soft and he can only speak in rhymes. The last part I made up.

If all continues to evolve smoothly, he will be, remarkably, released later today.

Keeping up with Cyborg Richard Thompson's treatment part 4

Nick Galifianakis wrote at about 5 pm:

Richard is doing well enough to be released from the recovery room but there isn't a room available for him yet in the neuro ICU.

His vitals are all good (although he keeps setting off the low-heart-rate alarm because he has the resting heartrate of a hibernating whale). He's hungry but they haven't signed off on him having solids yet. Ginger ale is the only treat.

He currently looks like a Buddhist monk.

Meanwhile, Amy Thompson says:

Richard is awake and looks a little bit like a very skinny Dalai Lama. One of the first things he told me (other than it was the weirdest thing he'd ever been through) was that the neurosurgeon told him he had a very active thalamus. We think that's a good thing.

Keeping up with Cyborg Richard Thompson's treatment part 3

Nick Galifianakis @ 11:59

Here's a cartoon Richard drew while people were poking his brain with a stick. We'll get a better scan of it soon--this was taken with a cellphone and is pretty blurry.

Re: Keeping up with Cyborg Richard Thompson's treatment

Nick Galifianakis

11:25

 

Another Cartoonist Brain Update:

Surgery started at 9:35. Richard is conscious (yoicks!) and doing great; they're testing as they go, and everything is good so far. They are about to start on the second hemisphere. The next update will probably include comments from the surgeon.

For those of you that have not had this kind of brain surgery: Richard is having a chip implanted in his brain in hopes of greatly alleviating his Parkinson's symptoms. Because everyone is different, his brain must be "listened to" and monitored while they search for just the right spot for maximum impact.

More later...

 

and Amy, Richard's wife has reported now that he's out of surgery, and "Everything went great!"

Keeping up with Cyborg Richard Thompson's treatment

Cartoonist Nick Galifianakis is one of Richard's best and oldest friends and is with him today during the surgery. Nick's posting updates on Facebook about Richard's treatment today:

 

I try and keep this a "cartoons only" site. And since my pal, Richard Thompson, one of the giants in my field, is having brain surgery today, I'll stray a tiny bit to periodically update folks on his condition.

 

As of a few minutes ago:

Head shaved, halo attached, been through MRI, unconscious, surgeon about to scrub in.

 

The doctor agreed to let him draw a cartoon during surgery while they're testing out the placement of the electrodes. I told Richard to think of something worthy of posterity, as it will certainly be historic.

 

It will be posted on his blog ASAP, of course.

 

He has not yet put a hankie on his head and has told the brain specialist that his "brain hurts."

 

More later....

Sergey Brin and Anne Wojcicki Challenge

I just wanted folks to read this about the MJFF https://www.michaeljfox.org/get-involved/brin-challenge.html
Yes,Sergey Brin and Anne Wojcicki is matching our funds. So what does that mean? Team Cul de Sac has made 50k this year and it will be matched! So TCDS with the help of Sergey Brin and Anne Wojcicki challenge will have raised over $100,000 for the MJFF!!!

Please donate here! http://www2.michaeljfox.org/site/TR/TeamFox/TeamFox?team_id=1149&pg=team&fr_id=1053

Lio and The Buckets pay tribute to Cul de Sac

Lio and The Buckets pay tribute this weekend to Cul de Sac, which ends today.

Thanks to Master Ibid for the tip.

Cartoonists reactions to end of Cul de Sac strip at the Post

'CUL DE SAC' ENDS SUNDAY: Cartoon peers salute Richard Thompson

By Michael Cavna

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog September 21 2012

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/cul-de-sac-ends-sunday-cartoon-peers-salute-richard-thompson/2012/09/21/3d618d32-039c-11e2-9b24-ff730c7f6312_blog.html

 

Cul de Sac replaced by Grand Avenue

As Richard Thompson ends his strip, we'll see more of these articles, but Grand Avenue won with 22 votes.  See your vote does matter!

Briefs: Grand Avenue is new AD comic
September 19, 2012
http://www.appeal-democrat.com/news/avenue-119562-grand-votes.html

Richard Thompson's gold Ignatz Award speech at SPX

Richard Thompson's Statement Accepting A Special Ignatz
Tom Spurgeon
September 18, 2012
http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/richard_thompsons_statement_accepting_a_special_ignatz/

Baltimore Comic-Con 2012 pictures

I only took a few pictures this year, but here's some photographs of Team Cul de Sac members as well as cosplayers at Baltimore Comic-Con - groups that rarely mingle thankfully. Who knows what kind of children would result...

You can hear the Team Cul de Sac panel here.

Carolyn & Joe Show podcast -- Audio from Team Cul de Sac panel

Recorders! We all had recorders!  Well, actually Carolyn and I did - you can try to put together the panel in stereo now.

Carolyn Belefski 12:00pm Sep 11 BRAND NEW Carolyn & Joe Show podcast -- Audio from 'Team Cul de Sac' panel at Baltimore Comic-Con 2012 featuring Chris Sparks, Steve Conley, Dawn Griffin, Donna A. Lewis, Joe Sutliff, Roger Langridge, Shannon Gallant, Matt Dembicki, Carolyn Belefski, Moderated by Michael Rhode http://carolynandjoeshow.wordpress.com/2012/09/11/team-cul-de-sac-panel-at-baltimore-comic-con-12/ Team Cul de Sac Panel at Baltimore Comic-Con 2012 carolynandjoeshow.wordpress.com EPISODE 191 The Carolyn and Joe Show has been invaded by the alien conqueror Zarvox again! Zarvox ev...

2 copies left of a special TCDS SIGNED by BILL WATTERSON

Richard Thompson, Bill Watterson, Nick Galifianakis and I signed 5 Team Cul de Sac books. For details, email me at teamculdesac@gmail.com. I will not ask Bill Watterson to sign any more TCDS books to raise money for us. I want this to be a very limited opportunity to own a signed book by Mr. Watterson and Mr. Thompson and help us raise money for TCDS.

Thank you,
Chris Sparks

 

Team Cul de Sac panel at Politics and Prose bookstore (July 11, 2012)

Team Cul de Sac panel at Politics and Prose bookstore (July 11, 2012)
Chris Sparks & Team Cul-De-Sac - Team Cul de Sac: Cartoonists Draw the Line at Parkinson's
Jul 11 2012 7:00 pm
https://archive.org/details/TeamCulDeSacPanelAtPoliticsAndProseBookstore

Richard Thompson, the Cul de Sac cartoonist, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2009 and began working with the Michael J. Fox Foundation to raise awareness of this illness. Chris Sparks organized Team Cul de Sac, which has solicited work from various graphic artists including Bill Watterson and Gary Trudeau, the proceeds of which have benefited Team Fox, the Foundation's fundraising arm.

Chris Sparks and Nick Galifianakis speak before the book-signing.

Team Cul de Sac panel audio at Baltimore Comic Con

I recorded the Team Cul de Sac session and it's online at the Internet Archive. You can download it or listen from the site.

"When Richard Thompson, the creator of the comic strip Cul de Sac, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, his friend Chris Sparks began a fundraising effort to honor his friend. With Richard's support, he asked others to donate artwork featuring the Cul de Sac characters for a Team Cul de Sac book with proceeds going to The Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson's Research. Now, join Chris Sparks and other members of Team Cul de Sac including Steve Conley, Matt Dembicki, SL Gallant, Roger Langridge, and others as they discuss the book, Richard Thompson's work, and their continuing efforts to raise funds in Richard's name." - from the program book. The panel also included Carolyn Belefski, Dawn Griffin, Donna Lewis, Joe Sutliff and was moderated by Mike Rhode.

Team Cul de Sac pictures from Baltimore Comic Con

Bruce Guthrie has put his photographs of the Team Cul de Sac panel online at http://www.bguthriephotos.com/graphlib.nsf/keys/2012_09_08D_BCCP02

 

And Chris Sparks accepting the Harvey award for best syndicated coic strip on behalf of Richard Thompson are here: http://www.bguthriephotos.com/graphlib.nsf/keys/2012_09_08U_BCCHA_Awards1

Richard Thompson wins a Harvey award

Richard Thompson has won the Harvey Award for the best syndicated comic strip. It was presented tonight at the Baltimore Comic Con.
Photo by Chris Sparks who accepted the award on Richard's behalf.

Team Cul de Sac LIVE!!!! at Baltimore Comic-Con

Baltimore Comic-Con
Saturday Sept. 8
Room 302-303

11:00-12:00 - Team Cul de Sac

When Richard Thompson, the creator of the comic strip Cul de Sac, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, his friend Chris Sparks began a fundraising effort to honor his friend. With Richard's support, he asked others to donate artwork featuring the Cul de Sac characters for a Team Cul de Sac book with proceeds going to The Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson's Research. Now, join Chris Sparks and other members of Team Cul de Sac including Steve Conley, Matt Dembicki, SL Gallant, Roger Landgridge, Michael Cavna and others as they discuss the book, Richard Thompson's work, and their continuing efforts to raise funds in Richard's name."

Peter Dunlap-Shohl on Team Cul de Sac

PD-S is another cartoonist who suffers from Parkinson's disease, and was an early contributor to Team Cul de Sac...

A "Heart-on-His-Sleeve-Southerner" Does Serious Damage to my Cynical Side

Peter Dunlap-Shohl
August 23, 2012

http://offandonakpdrag.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-heart-on-his-sleeve-southerner-does.html

RC Harvey appreciates Richard Thompson and Team Cul de Sac's 93%

On Richard Thompson and Cul de Sac
BY R.C. Harvey Aug 22, 2012   
http://www.tcj.com/on-richard-thompson-and-cul-de-sac/

Meanwhile, Team Cul de Sac's money has flowed in and we're a mere $3,300 from meeting the goal... which reminds me, I owe some money to the campaign.

Cartoonist Curtis and fan Fischer on Cul de Sac's end

"He Was a Good Man ... "
by Stacy Curtis
August 20 2012
http://stacycurtis.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-photo-i-snapped-of-richard-while-i.html

Hail Richard Thompson and Cul de Sac!
By: Craig Fischer
Heroesonline blog August 17, 2012
http://www.heroesonline.com/blog/2012/08/17/hail-richard-thompson-and-cul-de-sac/

Articles on Cul de Sac's end

Richard Thompson ends 'Cul de Sac' comic

By Michael Cavna

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog August 17 2012

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/richard-thompson-ends-cul-de-sac-comic/2012/08/17/06a7fda6-e819-11e1-a3d2-2a05679928ef_blog.html

 

Parkinson's forces creator of 'Cul de Sac' comic to retire
Richard Thompson of the strip 'Cul de Sac' battles Parkinson's.
By TIM ENGLE
The Kansas City Star August 17 2012
http://www.kansascity.com/2012/08/17/3767240/parkinsons-forces-creator-of-cul.html

Parkinson's forces 'Cul de Sac' creator to call it quits
Deseret News Friday, Aug. 17 2012
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765597718/Parkinsons-forces-Cul-de-Sac-creator-to-call-it-quits.html

Cul de Sac: A Special Q&A with creator Richard Thompson
John Glynn
August 17 2012
http://www.gocomics.com/richardthompsonqa

Working Daze strip tip to Richard Thompson

http://www.gocomics.com/working-daze/2012/08/04 - thanks to Doug Wise for the lead.

Steve and Kathy Artley's photographs of TCDS signing

Steve and Kathy Artley have photographs of the Team Cul de Sac signing at Politics and Prose online now. Steve is a political cartoonist who contributed to the book and auction.

Team Cul de Sac signing at Politics and Prose

Last night's signing brought out about 18 cartoonists - some pictures can be seen here.

Team Cul de Sac TONIGHT at Politics and Prose

Tonight at 7 pm in Washington DC's Politics and Prose, we'll have a gaggle of cartoonists from the book. The list includes:

Thompson, Richard                        

Sparks, Chris                                     

Artley, Steven                                                                                  

Auger, Michael                                                                                

Belefski, Carolyn        

Boris, Daniel                     

Cavna, Michael          

Conroy, John    

Corsetto, Danielle                 

Dale, Barbara 

Dunlap-Shohl, Peter                   

Galifianakis, Nick

Gallant, Shannon

Johnson, Kerry G.    

King, Jamie                       

Lewis, Donna A.               

Lunsford, Annie                               

Mitchell, Bono

Sutliff, Joe                          

Wuerker, Matt

Surprise addition to Wednesday DC book signing

From Peter Dunlap-Shohl:  "I will be able to make it to the Politics and Prose signing, and look forward to meeting all who show up."

Peter lives in Anchorage, Alaska but amazingly will be at Politics and Prose this Wednesday night!  And unfortunately, he's also a cartoonist with Parkinson's disease. Come out and support the Team with Peter.

Team Cul de Sac alumni article

A-B Tech graduate rallies cartoonists for a cause
July 2, 2012
http://www1.abtech.edu/news/articles/a-b-tech-graduate-rallies-cartoonists-a-cause

Chris Sparks mentioned

Here is a nice article about Team Cul de Sac and my wonderful business partner, Jamie King.

http://www1.abtech.edu/news/articles/a-b-tech-graduate-rallies-cartoonists-a-cause

Daniel Corsetto and Jamie King at July 11th Politics and Prose booksigning

Daniele "Girls with Slingshots" Corsetto is coming in from West VA and Jamie King is driving up from North Carolina to join Chris Sparks and local cartoonists at Politics and Prose on July 11th at 7 pm.

4 star review from INFODAD.com

Read it at http://transcentury.blogspot.com/2012/06/pen-and-brush-mightier-than-illness.html

Fox Foto Friday: Team Cul de Sac

Fox Foto Friday: Team Cul de Sac

Bonus points if you can name all the cartoonists.

TCDS at Heroescon in Charlotte NC

I met Richard Thompson at heroescon in 2008. It changed my life for the better. Richard won't be there this year but a bunch of contributors from the book will be and so will I. Come by and celebrate the greatest comic con in that world. This is the 30th year of Heorescon. DO NOT MISS IS! come by and say hi!



I will be at the Heroes Convention in Charlotte, NC this weekend (June 22-24). We will have plenty of Team Cul de Sac books at (AA-218) and a beautiful print for Team Cul de Sac Celebrating Heroescon by ROGER LANGRIDGE (AA-220), NICK GALIFiANAKIS is the lucky guy beside me at (AA-219) We will have a print of his contribution to Team Cul de Sac.SL GALLANT (AA-828),DANIELLE CORSETTO (AA-420),EVAN DORKIN (AA-517),DUSTIN HARBIN ( AA-419),CHRIS SCHWEIZER (AA-431) get your book signed by all of these great contributors! We also have a panel on Friday at 4:00pm
Room 206:TEAM CUL DE SAC
BE THERE!
More news? Maybe...

Books are still shipping

Hello everyone. I am still shipping books. I have another 15 to ship today and then I will be working on all of the out of the country orders.
If you ordered a book and live outside of the USA, I will be contacting you about the extra shipping.
I am sorry its taken so long. It looks like its going to take me three weeks to get most of the books out.
The good news is I just calculated the book donations from the pre-orders that started in January till the end of March and we raised $1305.00 for the MJFF!  This is the whole reason we wanted to do the online sales plus you get my pretty signature!

Thank you so much. Now come see me this weekend at....

Team Cul de Sac booksigning in Ashville on June 19th

http://www.grovearcade.com/uncategorized/mountain-made-hosts-asheville-book-signing-for-team-cul-de-sac/

Photos from One More Page booksigning

Here's a list of the online pictures that I know of:

Steve Artley - http://artleytoonsonline.blogspot.com/2012/06/2012-chris-sparks-next-team-cul-de-sac.html

Carolyn Belefski and Joe Carabeo - http://www.curls-studio.com/curls/?p=1676 and https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150940960942381.439013.50763422380&type=3

Bruce Guthrie - http://www.bguthriephotos.com/graphlib.nsf/keys/2012_06_10G_Team_CDS

Mike Rhode - http://www.flickr.com/photos/42072348@N00/sets/72157630100095288/  - I'm also going to add the cartoons that didn't make it into the book to this group now.

TCDS featured in Ashville paper

Asheville man pulls together illustrators to fight Parkinson's

Jun. 12, 2012

http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20120613/NEWS/306130023/Comic-artists-unite-fight-Parkinson-s

Team Cul de Sac July 11th booksigning Facebook page

It'll be at Politics and Prose in Washington, DC. Check out this Facebook page if you'd like more info.

TCDS featured in Ashville magazine

Team Cul De Sac: Cartoonists Unite to Fight Parkinson's Disease
06.01.2012
http://thelaurelofasheville.com/issues/2012/06/team-cul-de-sac-cartoonists-unite-to-fight-parkinson-s-disease

Team Cul de Sac auction wrapup

Here's a couple of stories on the end of the auction.

Team Cul de Sac auction raises $47k; Watterson painting sold for $13k
by Alan Gardner
June 11, 2012
http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2012/06/11/team-cul-de-sac-auction-raises-47k-watterson-painting-sold-for-13k/

TEAM 'CUL DE SAC' AUCTION: Rare Watterson painting sells for $13K
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog June 11 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/team-cul-de-sac-auction-rare-watterson-painting-sells-for-13k/2012/06/11/gJQAtn9dTV_blog.html#pagebreak

Dave Malki! on Team Cul de Sac

Read it here, and bid on his art today!

Team Cul de Sac auction almost over

Just two days left for original art from the Team Cul de Sac auction!

Sure, by telling you about this, I'm losing more and more of my bids, but it's FOR A GOOD CAUSE!

June 7: Team Cul de Sac booksigning

Sunday, June 10, from 5 - 7 pm. Details here.

Here's the list of cartoonists whom are expected:

Thompson, Richard        

Sparks, Chris                                                                     

Belefski, Carolyn                                                                                             

Boris, Daniel                                                                                      

Cavna, Michael                                                                                                                

Dale, Barbara -                                                                                                                 

Dembecki, Matt                                                                                                              

Gallant, Shannon                                                                                            

Hagen, David                                                                                                    

Johnson, Kerry G                                                                                           

Lewis, Donna A.                                                                                               

Lunsford, Annie                                                                                                                               

Mitchell, Bono                                                                                                  

Sutliff, Joe          

Michael J. Fox on Team Cul de Sac...

Says Michael J. Fox today (with the book due to drop tomorrow): 

"With this amazing collection, Chris [Sparks] is raising significant dollars and awareness for Parkinson's — while proving comedy can speed a cure. We're grateful to have both Chris and Richard on our team." 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/team-cul-de-sac-book-lands-cartoonists-draw-the-line-at-parkinsons-arrives-tuesday-amid-auction/2012/06/04/gJQAG8KcDV_blog.html#pagebreak

Michael Cavna
Style Section & "Comic Riffs"
The Washington Post

__._,_._

Team Cul de Sac art auction is open!

Heritage Auctions is taking bids on the Team Cul de Sac artwork.

Team Cul de Sac original art auction starts on Sunday May 27

http://comics.ha.com/common/auction/catalog.php?SaleNo=510 - bid early and often!