One final goodbye to Richard Thompson at Small Press Expo

Richard Thompson: A Celebration of His Life and Art

White Flint Auditorium September 17, 2016 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Richard Thompson (1957-2016)—one his generation's greatest cartoonists and caricaturists—was beloved by readers and fellow artists alike. Pat Oliphant called him "Michelangelo with a sense of humor," and Bill Watterson, who had not said anything publicly in almost 20 years, sent out a note crediting Thompson with "giving me a reason to read the comics again." A short documentary celebrating Thompson's art and generous spirit will be followed by a conversation among Thompson's long-time intimates—his close friend and fellow cartoonist Nick Galifianakis, Shena Wolf, who is the Uclick acquisitions editor and was Richard's editor on Cul De Sac, as well as friend and art historian David Apatoff—concluding with an opportunity for questions and reflections from the audience. Moderated by publisher (Lost Art Books) and editor of the forthcoming Richard Thompson Library series, Joseph Procopio.

Dr. Anita Auerbach's eulogy for Richard Thompson

"ARE YOU READY?" "NOOOO!"
Dr. Anita Auerbach
https://findthequiet.com/2016/08/30/are-you-ready-noooo/

Michael Cavna remembers Richard Thompson

Richard Thompson: The art of being a smart, humane artist in a vitriolic, wired world

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs August 29 2016
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/08/29/richard-thompson-the-art-of-a-being-a-smart-humane-artist-in-a-vitriolic-wired-world/

Richard Thompson Memorial Celebration photographs

Richard's old friend Bruce Guthrie photographed the service and the 'mingling' before and afterwards. See the pictures at

http://www.bguthriephotos.com/graphlib.nsf/keys/2016_08_27B3_RThompson_Memorial3

http://www.bguthriephotos.com/graphlib.nsf/keys/2016_08_27B1_RThompson_Memorial

Gail Rubin remembers Richard Thompson

Cartoonist Richard Thompson Made Us Laugh

by Gail Rubin

A Good Goodbye blog August 26th, 2016
http://agoodgoodbye.com/notable-obituaries/cartoonist-richard-thompson-made-us-laugh/

Before you read that -

The service for Richard Thompson will be held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, this Saturday, August 27th at 1pm.

IT WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC from 1pm until 2:30 pm, after which there will be a private reception for friends and family.

RICHARD THOMPSON MEMORIAL SERVICE

RICHARD THOMPSON MEMORIAL SERVICE
A service for Richard will be held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, this Saturday, August 27th at 1pm.

IT WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC from 1pm until 2:30 pm, after which there will be a private reception for friends and family.

Again, the family asks that in lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, either directly or through Team Cul De Sac (https://www.michaeljfox.org/get-involved/teamfox.php).

A Richard Thompson tribute in Betty

Betty by Gary Delainey and Gerry Rasmussen

August 20, 2016
http://www.gocomics.com/betty/2016/08/20

(thanks to Carol Tilley for pointing it out)

Anne Morse-Hambrock remembers Richard Thompson

For Richard

Anne & God webcomic (08/16/2016)

http://overbookedandunderpaid.typepad.com/anne_and_god/2016/08/for-richard.html

Nick Galifianakis on Richard Thompson's death

Somehow we missed the announcement by Richard's best friend to his colleagues at the National Cartoonists Society:

Richard Thompson 1957-2016

– Nick Galifianakis

July 27th, 2016
http://www.reuben.org/2016/07/richard-thompson-1957-2016/

Pat Oliphant's thoughts on Richard Thompson in 2004

Andrews McMeel has put Pat Oliphant's introductory comic strip from the 2004 collection of Richard's Poor Almanac online. Oliphant compared Richard to Michelangelo which probably made him squirm, but grin.

His next book was blurbed by Bill Watterson, which shocked him, since he knew Pat, but not Bill.

Comic scholar John Lent on Richard Thompson's last books

"Scratchy sketchbook drawings, doodlings, exquisite caricatures and humorous paintings": Reviewing Richard Thompson's last books

by John A. Lent, publisher and editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Comic Art.
International Journal of Comic Art blog August 10, 2016
http://ijoca.blogspot.com/2016/08/scratchy-sketchbook-drawings-doodlings.html

This review will appear in print in the Spring/Summer 2016 IJOCA issue later this summer.

Richard saw all three of the books reviewed here, and approved them. - MR

Oct 8: Richard Thompson, Cartoonist and Illustrator -- A Tribute

Richard Thompson, Cartoonist and Illustrator -- A Tribute

Richard Thompson, creator of the comic strip Cul de Sac, passed away from complications of  Parkinson's disease this summer. Learn more about this Reuben Award-winning artist through a screening of the 2014 documentary The Art of Richard Thompson and a presentation on Thompson's background and accomplishments by one of the late cartoonist's friends.

Saturday, October 8, 2016
1:00 p.m.

Mt. Pleasant Regional Library
1133 Mathis Ferry Road
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
843.849.6161
http://www.ccpl.org

Donna Lewis' Reply All tribute to Richard Thompson

http://www.gocomics.com/replyall/2016/08/08

The Post's Letter page on Richard Thompson

Letters to the Editor

'Cul de Sac' creator Richard Thompson, a charming man who made charming art [in print as A charming creator of charming art].

Lewis Sorley, Potomac

Washington Post August 6 2016, p. A11

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/cul-de-sac-creator-richard-thompson-a-charming-man-who-made-charming-art/2016/08/04/4cdadbba-58ed-11e6-8b48-0cb344221131_story.html

Dana Maier remembers Richard Thompson

RIP Richard Thompson

Dana Jeri Maier

August 4, 2016
http://www.danajerimaier.com/writing/rip-richard-thompson

Andrew Farago's Comics Journal obituary for Richard Thompson

Richard Thompson, 1957-2016

BY Andrew Farago Aug 4, 2016
www.tcj.com/richard-thompson-1957-2016

August 27: Memorial for Richard Thompson

A memorial for Richard Thompson, open to the public, will be held on August 27, 2016, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC at 1 pm. It will be in the Press Club's ballroom. Information on the Press Club is at http://www.press.org/

Phil Nel on Cul de Sac

Dancing on the Manhole Cover: The Genius of Richard Thompson

BY Philip Nel Aug 3, 2016
http://www.tcj.com/dancing-on-the-manhole-cover-the-genius-of-richard-thompson/

One More Page Books remembers Richard Thompson

The kind, generous and very talented cartoonist and artist Richard Thompson (Cul de Sac, Richard's Poor Almanac) passed away last week due to the effects of Parkinson's disease. Richard was one of the first authors to appear at OMP - so early that the store was not quite open - and since then he has been a generous, gracious and wonderful friend to us. We can't put into words how much we'll miss his humor and friendship and many of you have shared the loss you feel. Our thoughts are with Amy, the girls, his family & his many, many, many friends.

If you'd like to help others with Parkinson's in honor of Richard, you can donate to Team Cul de Sac, part of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

One More Page Books 
2200 N. Westmoreland Street, #101
Arlington, VA 22213
703-300-9746    Visit our website
Mon-Sat: 10 am - 8 pm; Sun: noon to 5 pm

(excerpted from their August 2, 2016 newsletter)

Charles Hatfield tribute to Richard Thompson

A third tribute by Charles Hatfield has been added to the Comics Journal page at http://www.tcj.com/tributes-to-richard-thompson/ , adding to those by Warren Bernard and Craig Fischer.

Tributes to Richard Thompson

BY Dan Nadel Aug 1, 2016
http://www.tcj.com/tributes-to-richard-thompson/

So far it's Craig Fischer and Warren Bernard's memories.

Michael Cavna remembers Richard Thompson

RIP, Richard Thompson: How the artist extends to us the hand of profound wit and humanity

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog July 31 2016
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/07/31/rip-richard-thompson-how-the-artist-extends-to-us-the-hand-of-profound-wit-and-humanity/

David Malki and Encore Stage remembering Richard Thompson

RIP: Richard Thompson, creator of "Cul de Sac" by David Malki

Remembering Richard Thompson, Creator of Cul de Sac

By Jerry Gidner, Encore Stage & Studio Board of Directors

Comic Riffs on Richard Thompson masterpieces

These are the Richard Thompson masterpieces we'll most remember him by

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs July 29 2016
 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/07/29/these-are-the-richard-thompson-masterpieces-well-most-remember-him-by/

The early Thompson - Science fiction fandom art

The early Thompson - Science fiction fandom art

July 29, 2016

http://richardspooralmanac.blogspot.com/2016/07/the-early-thompson-science-fiction.html

We compiled a lot of art that wasn't used in The Art of Richard Thompson book. Here's some raw scans of a selection of it. Richard's earliest published works were in the convention program for the local sci-fi con Disclave, and the fanzine Science Fiction Eye....

Cartoonists Stacy Curtis and Dave Kellett remember Richard Thompson

Both Stacy and Dave knew Richard - Stacy worked on Cul de Sac with him, and Dave interviewed him at length for a documentary.

Rest in Peace, Richard Thompson

http://stacycurtis.blogspot.com/2016/07/rest-in-peace-richard-thompson.html?m=1

Dave Kellett's Sheldon comic

http://www.sheldoncomics.com/archive/160728.html

A short personal remembrance of Richard Thompson

A short personal remembrance of Richard Thompson

by Mike Rhode

July 28, 2016

http://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2016/07/a-short-personal-remembrance-of-richard.html

Some tributes to Richard Thompson in the press (updated when possible)

WUSA: Local acclaimed illustrator dies at 58

ComicsDC's Mike Rhode:A short personal remembrance of Richard Thompson

Brian Fies: Richard Thompson

 ICv2: R.I.P. RICHARD THOMPSON

Donna Lewis: So many words. So few words.

 Washington Post's Michael Cavna's online obituary

Heroes Con: THANK YOU RICHARD THOMPSON

John Martz: A Cartoonist Remembers His Hero, Cul de Sac’s Richard Thompson

 Stacy Curtis: Rest in Peace, Richard Thompson

Dave Kellett's Sheldon comic

Scoop: In Memoriam: Richard Thompson

A Certain Line: When the laughter stops

Washington Post's Michael Cavna: These are the Richard Thompson masterpieces we’ll most remember him by

David Malki: RIP: Richard Thompson, creator of “Cul de Sac”

Encore Stage: Remembering Richard Thompson, Creator of Cul de Sac

Cartoonist Richard Thompson Dies of Parkinson's Disease by Peter Dunlap-Shohl

RIP, Richard Thompson: How the artist extends to us the hand of profound wit and humanity By Michael Cavna

Comics Journal: Tributes to Richard Thompson - Craig Fischer and Warren Bernard and Charles Hatfield

Mike Lynch: Richard Thompson 1957-2016

John Gallagher's tribute cartoon for Richard Thompson

Life Without Richard Thompson by Anton Scamvougeras

Comics Journal: Dancing on the Manhole Cover: The Genius of Richard Thompson by Phil Nel

Comics Journal: Obituary by Andrew Farago

ComicsDC: Claire Rhode on Remembering Mr. Richard 

RIP Richard Thompson by Dana Jeri Maier

Donna Lewis' Reply All tribute

WUSA's piece on Richard Thompson

Local acclaimed illustrator dies at 58

Ellison Barber, WUSA July 27, 2016
http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/local-acclaimed-illustrator-dies-at-58/282921078

Richard Thompson to be memorialized on WUSA news tonight

Ellison Barber of WUSA news compiled a memorial profile about Richard Thompson's life and art which should air at 11 pm EDT if all goes well.

Comic Riffs obituary for Richard Thompson

Richard Thompson, acclaimed 'Cul de Sac' creator and Post contributor, dies at 58

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs July 27 2016
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/07/27/richard-thompson-acclaimed-cul-de-sac-creator-and-post-contributor-dies-at-58/

Cartoonist Richard Thompson has passed away

I've been informed by Richard's best friend Nick Galifianakis that Richard passed away today due to the effects of Parkinson's Disease. We're poorer for his loss, but richer for his life and art.

Richard Thompson panel at 2011 Heroes Con

Heroes Con is going on this weekend in Charlotte, NC. Richard's mother was an orphan in the town, and the con is held right across the street from the former orphanage space.

We went down twice together, at the invitation of con owner Shelton Drum and his right-hand man, Dustin Harbin. Richard had a great time. Last night I stumbled across a recording that I had forgotten about, so I put it online.  I haven't listened to it since recording it, but here's Richard talking about Cul de Sac, and Parkinson's Disease.

Heroes Con 2011: Richard Thompson A Celebration

by Mike Rhode

Published June 4, 2011

https://archive.org/details/HeroesCon110604RichardThompsonACelebration

10:30 AM
Richard Thompson: A Celebration
Room 209 

Is Cul-De Sac the best comic strip being published today?
Perhaps, but one thing is for certain, it is the best drawn and the
funniest. Okay, that's two things. Please join Mike Rhode and
some fellow strip creators as we sit down and examine the art of Mr.
Thompson. In addition to discussing craft and daily deadlines, we will
see if Richard can provide any insight as to whether poor Petey will
make it through the entire soccer season without having a psychotic
breakdown. Ahhh, total Bliss (haven).

With Craig Fischer and Team Cul de Sac's Chris Sparks.

A little bit more on the Cul de Sac play premiere

More on the new Cul de Sac play by Amy Thompson and "Encore Stage - http://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2016/05/more-on-new-cul-de-sac-play-by-amy.html

Mell Lazarus 1927-2016

Today we lost Mell Lazarus, not only a LEGEND in cartooning but a contributor to Team Cul de Sac.

Mell was such an icon in cartooning that I was always nervous to look at him. It was like looking into the Sun. He was just a star and everyone orbited around him. A true sweetheart.
Mell called me back in 2011 and said that he had lunch with Cathy Guisewite and she had told him about TCDS. He wanted to contribute and I was thrilled.

 Thank you and much love Mell,

Chris, Richard, Mike and the whole TCDS gang.

Please read more about him at the links below.
http://www.reuben.org/2016/05/mell-lazarus-1927-2016/
http://www.tomrichmond.com/2016/05/24/mell-lazarus-1927-2016/

Amy Thompson interviewed about her Cul de Sac play premiere

From Page to Stage: How Cul de Sac Was Adapted Into a Play

Playwright Amy Thompson and Encore Theater's Sara Duke talks about adapting the hit Washington Post comic strip.

Mike Rhode

May 24, 2016
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/blog/20780902/cul-de-sac-interview

Cul de Sac the play - coming soon

Based on Richard Thompson's comic strip, and written by Amy Thompson, the play premieres in Arlington, VA on June 3rd.

Click here for all the details.

Heroescon Drink and Draw art needed

Hi everyone. This past weekend we had a great drink and draw at SC COMICCON! We raised almost $1500 bucks for Team Cul de Sac! Thanks to Rob Young and everyone at the show! We had a blast!

Now to look forward to June. This will be our 6th annual Drink and Draw at Heroescon. It happens of on the evening June 17th. I will have the exact time and place for you soon!

Here is what we need to make the big bucks. Art from you!

Yes, we will be at the show at a booth.
Yes, we will have artist who can sit with me and can draw on the spot!
Yes, you can drop off the art at the show if you are attending the show.
Yes, we accept original comic book or strip art.
Yes, we take signed or limited edition books.
Yes, we love to have amazing original art made for the event.
Yes, we will take cash donations at the event.
Yes, we will have signed Richard Thompson books.
Yes, we have a few items left  signed by Bill Watterson.
Yes, you can buy us drinks at the event. :)
Yes you can send us more than one item.
Yes, our email is teamculdesac@gmail.com and I will send you information to where to send the art. I need the art by the 10th of June.
Yes, we will kick Parkisnson's, with your help.
No, you can't donate too much awesome art.

Much love,

Chris

Compleating Cul de Sac book's latest contributions to Team Cul de Sac

Thanks to everyone who bought Compleating Cul de Sac and thus supported Team CdS in fundraising against Parkinson's disease. For the last quarter of 2015, you raised $144.41 which was deposited into Team Fox's account today.

The book is now out of print because we're adding to it and will have an actual publisher. Look for the 2nd edition of the book in Summer 2016 from Lost Art Books. Any profits from the book will continue to go to Team Cul de Sac.

Mike Rhode

Richard Thompson is my superhero

No reason for this post besides to say I love this drawing from Richard.

Compleating Cul de Sac first edition goes out of print

Compleating Cul de Sac's first edition is now out of print, and it's good news!

We're pleased to announce that we (aka The Thompsons) are just about to sign the contract with Picture This Press for them to publish the grandly-themed Richard Thompson Library. Compleating Cul de Sac version 2.0 is being expanded by editor Rhode and designer Bono Mitchell with more interviews, more Thompson art and more Team Cul de Sac art, even as we type. Any profits from this book will continue to be sent to the Michael J. Fox Foundation to fund Parkinson's research, as we had arranged to do with the first edition.

The draft of The Incompleat Art of Why Things Are with an introduction by Joel Achenbach is in the hands of the publisher who's working with his designer on the book. Scott Stewart is continuing to work on a new collection of caricatures.

In the meantime, all of Richard's Cul de Sac books, and The Art of Richard Thompson are still available from his traditional publisher, Andrews McMeel.

We hope you'll enjoy the new books as they come out over the next several years .

Mike Rhode

Compleating Cul de Sac reviewed

Compleating Cul de Sac, the book of Richard Thompson's miscellany related to the comic strip that raises money for Team Cul de Sac, has been reviewed at Jason Marcy Looks at Print on Demand Comics, Part 1.

You can buy the book here.

Q3 donations for Compleating Cul de Sac book

Compleating Cul de Sac, with 100 of Richard's strips and interviews, is available on Lulu.

Q3 donations for the Compleating Cul de Sac book were $176.48 and went to Team Fox this morning.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

"Compleating Cul de Sac" appears in first library collection

Michigan State U's Comic Art Collection became the first library to catalog Compleating Cul de Sac as part of their collection.

Unfortunately, WorldCat shows them to be the only library with a copy in a collection.

Librarians of the world (and everyone else too) - click here to remedy that situation and buy a copy to benefit Parkinson's disease research.

Happy 58th birthday to Richard Thompson

Thanks for so many years of pleasure.

Marking the day with a piece of his art done for Bonotom Studio.

The Art of Richard Thompson film interview

HFF 2015 Interview: Bob Burnett, Director of The Art of Richard Thompson

By heartlandfilm on September 24, 2015
http://heartlandfilm.org/hff-2015-interview-bob-burnett-director-of-the-art-of-richard-thompson/

Sept 13: Parkinson's Walk for Team Cul de Sac

Team Cul de Sac

Please Help Us Walk Off Parkinson's

http://engage.parkinsonfoundation.org/site/TR?team_id=2180&fr_id=1050&pg=team

We are participating in Walk Off Parkinson's on Sunday September 13, 2015 at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. to benefit the Parkinson's Foundation of the National Capital Area (PFNCA).

That day, we will gather with thousands of others impacted by Parkinson's to show that those facing this disease that they do not do so alone. We will raise funds to support those impacted by Parkinson's including people diagnosed with the disease, care partners and their family members.

Please join us or make a donation.

You can make a donation in honor of a member of our team by selecting their name from the roster on the right.

Together, we will Walk Off Parkinson's.

Thank you.

 About Team Cul de Sac

Team Cul de Sac is a fundraising effort in honor of Richard Thompson, the cartoonist behind the Cul de Sac comic strip. Richard was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. With Richard's support, Chris Sparks asked cartoonists across the country to contribute comics compiled into a fundraising book published by Andrews McMeel (Team Cul de Sac: Cartoonists Draw The Line At Parkinson's). The original artwork was auctioned to raise additional money. Team Cul de Sac continues to progress and expand our fundraising efforts.

 

- See more at: http://engage.parkinsonfoundation.org/site/TR?team_id=2180&fr_id=1050&pg=team#sthash.HTSVCSG2.dpuf

Compleating Cul de Sac is 30% off

Compleating Cul de Sac is 30% off  - Get 30% off all print books when you use code SAVE30 at checkout. Ends August 30.

Order it at https://www.lulu.com/shop/search.ep?keyWords=%22compleating+cul+de+sac%22

All money raised goes to Team Cul de Sac for Parkinson's research.

Compleating Cul de Sac raises $220 for Team Cul de Sac

After deducting the initial production expenses for 3 proof drafts, and the cost of an ad in Magic Bullet #11, the publication of Compleating Cul de Sac has raised $220 for the 2nd quarter of 2015 for Parkinson's research.

Here's more information on the book:

The Complete Cul de Sac isn't.

Complete, that is. Compiling it while ill, Richard accidentally left out some strips. Others were purposely left out, either because he had redrawn them for syndication, or they were too tied to the Washington, D.C. origins of the strip to make sense for a worldwide audience, or he "just felt some were not funny." Over 100 are not in The Complete CDS.

But if you're a cartoon completist, or just want a little bit more CDS, we understand and we're here for you. We've collected the lost water-colored Washington Post Magazine strips, the early inchoate musings about what the strip should be, the promotional material, the sketches for fans, and finally some fugitive Team Cul de Sac charity art by Art Spiegelman, KAL, Patrick McDonnell, Eric Shansby, Nate Beeler and others.

With Richard's blessing, or at least active acquiescence, any money the book makes will go to Team Cul de Sac to fight Parkinson's disease.

And if more art surfaces, we'll do a second edition.

Compleating Cul de Sac
by Richard Thompson, Michael Rhode and Chris Sparks
Asheville, NC: Team Cul de Sac & Arlington, VA: ComicsDC, 2015.


Available in paperback: http://www.lulu.com/shop/michael-rhode/compleating-cul-de-sac/paperback/product-22163926.html

hardcover: http://www.lulu.com/shop/michael-rhode/compleating-cul-de-sac-hardcover/hardcover/product-22163989.html

ebook pdf: http://www.lulu.com/shop/michael-rhode/compleating-cul-de-sac-ebook/ebook/product-22185584.html

Review pdfs available to media upon request

Complete Cul de Sac wins Eisner award

Richard Thompson's comic strip collection, The Complete Cul de Sac, won an Eisner Award last night at the San Diego Comic - Con for best humorous publication.