Moving Day Walk in DC

Hello everyone, It is Chris Sparks! Three years ago Richard Thompson and I started Team Cul de Sac. So far we have raised over 100,000 for the Michael J Fox Foundation. A couple of years ago we even walked in the National Parkinsons Foundation walk. Would you please support my effort this year?
Donate here to support me---> http://www3.parkinson.org/site/TR/MovingDayEvent/ParkinsonFoundationoftheNationalCapitalArea?px=1051527&pg=personal&fr_id=1430

My goal is just a hundred bucks but 10 times that would be awesome! Oh I have 10 days to do it! Help please?

Our team page

http://www3.parkinson.org/site/TR/MovingDayEvent/ParkinsonFoundationoftheNationalCapitalArea?pg=team&fr_id=1430&team_id=10070

Thanks to everyone on the TCDS. Glad I am just a member on this walk and a big shout out to

Carolyn Belefski!!!!!

Richard Thompson announces Complete Cul de Sac book

Here's his blog post.

What is up with Richard Thompson? A book and art show with Bill Watterson?

So now that Richard Thompson is talking about it officially. I can chat about some stuff.
http://richardspooralmanac.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-whole-thing-2.html

Yeap, that is correct folks! Not only will there be this cool Complete Cul de Sac for purchase in the spring of 2014(intro by Art Spiegelman)BUT a two man art exhibit at The Ohio State University in the brand spanking new Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum will happen too! That is right folks, Richard Thompson and Bill Watterson is having a little art show for a few months together next year. So if you ever wanted to see some original Calvin and Hobbes strips and see a wonderful wide range of Richard Thompson's mad skills, this will be a once in a life time experience. A big thanks to Jenny Robb and Bill Watterson in making this show happen. We are in for a treat!

What is this nonsense about a wide range of art from Richard?
Why not just Cul de Sac art?
Very good questions! I hope Richard talks about that soon!
Drooling yet? You will be, YOU WILL BE!

Wanna See Chris accept the Bob Clampett Award? Its only 2 months late!

I was beyond thrilled to win the Bob Clampett Award for TCDS. Here I am with Bobs Daughter. This was the 25th year for the award and I can't believe we are among this group of Award Recipients. (See Below) Most of these folks are childhood heroes of mine. Oh just watch me get all teary eyed. Thanks everyone for believing in us.

So click the link below to watch my make the long walk to the stage.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2_6zHVNRYbRa0M1dDVRcnV5cjA/preview?pli=1

AWARD RECIPIENTS

2000-Present

2013: Chris Sparks and Team Cul de Sac

2012: Morrie Turner
2011: Patrick McDonnell
2010: Jeannie Schulz
2009: Denis Kitchen
2008: Paul Levitz
2007: Neil Gaiman
2006: Calvin Reid
2005: George Pérez
2004: Mimi Cruz
2003: Alex Ross
2002: Herb Trimpe
2001: Mark Evanier
2000: Peter Laird

1990s

1999: Jerry Robinson
1998: Frank Miller
1997: Joe Kubert
1996: Andrew Vachss
1995: Maggie Thompson
1994: Will Eisner
1993: Jack Kirby
1992: Archie Goodwin
1991: The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
1990: Sergio Aragonés

1980s

1989: Phil Yeh
1988: June Foray
1987: Ray Bradbury
1986: Bernie Wrightson and Jim Starlin
1985: Robert A. Heinlein
1984: Forrest J Ackerman

- See more at: http://www.comic-con.org/awards/bob-clampett-humanitarian-award#sthash.gwA9LxWD.dpuf

Matthew and Jennifer Holmes at National Book Festival

Team Cul de Sac panel at Baltimore Comic-Con

ZARVOX PRESENTS: The Team Cul De Sac – BCC13 Panel

EPISODE 244

Download! Subscribe! iTunes! Stitcher!

The Carolyn and Joe Show has been hijacked by aliens once again!
The alien warlord ZARVOX has intercepted the original show that was intended to be released this week and has used their alien technology to rewarp what they believe is a more important show to broadcast on the Carolyn and Joe Show, The Baltimore Comic Con 2013 – TEAM CUL DE SAC panel with Barbara Dale, Dawn Griffin, Carolyn Belefski, Chris Sparks and Joe Sutliff. Enjoy…humans.

Drink and Draw photos from Baltimore Comic-Con

Baltimore Comic-Con (2013) -- Drink & Draw 2013 pictures by Bruce Guthrie.

The event was set up by Joe Sutliff. Joe, anything left of these neat art coasters?

Team Cul de Sac fundraiser at Baltimore Comic-Con

Baltimore Comic-Con Drink & Draw 2013 BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - August 29, 2013 - Can't wait for September 7th to roll around for your first day at the Baltimore Comic-Con? Then good news! The Baltimore Comic-Con Drink & Draw to benefit Team Cul de Sac and the Michael J. Fox Foundation will be taking place from 6pm-8pm on September 6th, 2013 at the Pratte Street Ale House, 206 W. Pratt St. Baltimore, MD 21201 - across from the Baltimore Convention Center!   Join artists, cartoonists, and fans for FREE food, great beers, original art, rare collectibles, and door prizes! Gather with artists and attendees to have a great time and benefit a great cause.   Team Cul de Sac (TCDS) is a TEAMFOX fundraising effort initiated by Chris Sparks in honor of his friend Richard Thompson, the cartoonist behind the Cul de Sac comic strip who was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson's disease through an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson's today.  TCDS asked cartoonists across the world to contribute artwork to a fundraising book and auction to raise additional money. Hundreds responded and sent artwork in, the result of which was Team Cul de Sac: Cartoonists Draw the Line at Parkinson's published by Andrews McMeel.  The book is a multiple 2013 Harvey Award nominee, and Chris Sparks received the Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award at the 2013 Eisner Awards for his efforts towards the book and the charity.   September 6th, 2013 - from 6-8 PM Interested in donating art? Need more information? Contact Joe Sutliff at joe@joesutliff.com or check our event's Facebook page for details!    In the coming weeks, look for more announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting our guests, the Harvey Awards, industry exclusives, and programming. The latest developments can always be found on our website, Twitter, and Facebook pages.    Contact Information Please use the following e-mail addresses to contact the Baltimore Comic-Con: press@baltimorecomiccon.com - for any general press inquiries or to be added to our PR distribution promoter@baltimorecomiccon.com - for requesting exhibitor, publisher, and Artist Alley applications registrar@baltimorecomiccon.com - for inquiries about submitted registrations harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com - for the Harvey Awards ceremony and banquet general@baltimorecomiccon.com - for general Baltimore Comic-Con inquiries    About The Baltimore Comic-Con The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 14th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com. About The Harvey Awards The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards. With a history of over 25 years, the last 7 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories. They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. For more information, please visit www.harveyawards.org .

Phil Nel recommends Cul de Sac

BARNABY: The Greatest Comic Strip You've Never Read
by Zack Smith, Newsarama 09 August 2013
http://www.newsarama.com/18635-barnaby-the-greatest-comic-strip-youve-never-read.html

I've read the WWII strip, and recommend it. Phil Nel, one of the
editors of the current volume, recommends Cul de Sac at the end of the
article.

Sept 6: Team Cul de Sac fundraiser Drink and Draw at Baltimore Comic Con

Joe Sutliff says,  "The Drink and Draw will be Friday, Sept. 6 from 6-8pm at the Pratt Street Alehouse, private room, cash bar and I'm looking at a food menu."

So consider attending and either bidding or drawing!

SDCC 2013 Team Cul de Sac Panel video

Racine, Tom.  2013.

SDCC 2013 Team Cul de Sac Panel

talltaleradio·62 videos

Published on Jul 25, 2013

Chris Sparks, editor of the book, "Team Cul de Sac: Cartoonists Draw the Line at Parkinsons," heads up an all-star panel of artists! Lincoln Peirce, Mark Tatulli, Lucas Turnbloom, Jenni and Matt Holm, Andrew Farago, Shaenon Garrity, and Rob Harrell talk about their pieces in the book and what the great Richard Thompson's art and writing has meant to them.

Editor Sparks wins humanitarian award for Team Cul de Sac

COMIC-CON EISNER AWARDS: Chris Sparks wins Humanitarian Award for Team Cul de Sac project to fight Parkinson's
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog July 20 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/comic-con-eisner-awards-chris-sparks-win-humanitarian-award-for-team-cul-de-sac-project-to-fight-parkinsons/2013/07/20/272e8f1e-f0fa-11e2-9008-61e94a7ea20d_blog.html

Harvey Awards Nominations time

 As you know I am leaving on the 17th to go to Comic-Con because Team Cul de Sac is up for an Eisner. Well, to take some pressure off of that award I received some awesome news this morning.Team Cul de Sac was nominated FOUR times for the Harvey Awards!
Please consider voting for us if you are a contributor or a professonal in the business. Also,please share and tell all of your pro friends to consider voting for us! I will be at the Harvey Awards and I hope to see many of the contributors there!


Vote HERE!!! 
A big thank you to everyone who is involved in TCDS!

SPECIAL AWARD FOR HUMOR IN COMICS
____ Chris Sparks, TEAM CUL DE SAC: CARTOONISTS DRAW THE LINE AT PARKINSON'S, Andrews McMeel

BEST ANTHOLOGY
____ TEAM CUL DE DE SAC: CARTOONISTS DRAW THE LINE AT PARKINSON'S, Chris Sparks, Andrews McMeel

BEST BIOGRAPHICAL, HISTORICAL, or JOURNALISTIC PRESENTATION
____ TEAM CUL DE DE SAC: CARTOONISTS DRAW THE LINE AT PARKINSON'S, Andrews McMeel

SPECIAL AWARD for EXCELLENCE IN PRESENTATION
____ TEAM CUL DE DE SAC: CARTOONISTS DRAW THE LINE AT PARKINSON'S, Chris Sparks, Andrews McMeel

Richard Thompson is nominated too! He should win every year but this is the last time the strip will be up for the award!

BEST SYNDICATED STRIP or PANEL
____ CUL DE SAC, Richard Thompson, Universal Press Syndicate

You can access the ballots in electronic format here at :http://www.harveyawards.org/2013-final-ballot/

Team Cul de Sac panel and a cool freebie from GoComics!

We have some great news for everyone attending the Team Cul de Sac panel on July 20th at Comic-Con. GoComics is giving each attendee a one-year PRO membership to GoComics.com!!! So I am sure to attend now! A big thanks to Gocomics!!!! Times and all that cool info is on the last post!

TCDS Panel at Comic-Con update

Please come and see us take Comic-Con over with this amazing Panel of Cartoonists!

Saturday, July 20 • 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Team Cul de Sac

UPDATED: Tue, Jul 09, 05:13PM
Chris Sparks, editor and organizer of the Eisner Award-nominated Team Cul de Sac: Cartoonists Draw the Line at Parkinsons book, is joined by several contributors who will talk about the creation of this original cartoon art book done in tribute to Richard Thompson, Reuben Award winner and the creator of the comic strip Cul de Sac. The book features art from dozens of cartoonists in print and web, including the first original art published in 16 years by Bill Watterson of Calvin and Hobbes fame, and has helped raise over $105,000 towards Parkinsons research through the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Panelists scheduled to appear are Lincoln Peirce (Big Nate), Mark Tatulli (Lio), Lucas Turnbloom (Imagine This), Andrew Farago (curator, Cartoon Art Museum), Shaenon Garrity (Skin Horse, Narbonic), Rob Harrell (Monster on the Hill), Matthew Holm (Baby Mouse), and Jenni Holm(Baby Mouse) an Eisner Award nominee. Moderated by Tom Racine (Tall Tale Radio podcast).

Saturday July 20, 2013 4:00pm - 5:00pm 
Room 9

Comic Con Panel information

Saturday July 20th Time 4pm-5pm Room 9

Team Cul de Sac 

Come meet some of the TCDS contributors! 

Join Chris Sparks, editor and organizer of the Eisner Award Nominated Team Cul de Sac: Cartoonists Draw the Line at Parkinsons book. Joining him are several contributors who will talk about the creation of this amazing original cartoon art book that was done in tribute to Richard Thompson, Reuben Award winner and the creator of the comic strip "Cul de Sac." The book features art from dozens of cartoonists in print and web, including the first original art published in 16 years by Bill Watterson of "Calvin and Hobbes" fame, and has helped raise over $105,000 towards Parkinsons research through the Michael J Fox Foundation. Panelists scheduled to appear: Lincoln Peirce (Big Nate), Mark Tatulli (Lio), Lucas Turnbloom (Imagine This), Andrew Farago, (Curator, Cartoon Art Museum), Shaenon Garrity (Skin Horse, Narbonic), Jenni Holm, (Baby Mouse) an Eisner Award nominee. Session moderated by Tom Racine (Tall Tale Radio podcast). Room 9

Team Cul de Sac fundraising at HeroesCon

 HEROESCON 2013: A LOOK BACK AT DRINK AND DRAW
Seth Peagler
June 13, 2013
http://www.heroesonline.com/blog/2013/06/13/heroescon-2013-a-look-back-at-drink-and-draw/

Team Cul de Sac panel at Comic-Con

I have the official news that we will have aTeam Cul de Sac Panel at Comic-Con, Saturday, 7/20/13 Times will be announced closer to the date.

Team Cul de Sac Join Chris Sparks, editor and organizer of the Eisner Award Nominated Team Cul de Sac: Cartoonists Draw the Line at Parkinson's book. Joining him are several contributors who will talk about the creation of this amazing original cartoon art book that was done in tribute to Richard Thompson, Reuben Award winner and the creator of the comic strip "Cul de Sac." The book features art from dozens of cartoonists in print and web, including the first original art published in 16 years by Bill Watterson of "Calvin and Hobbes" fame, and has helped raise over $105,000 towards Parkinsons research through the Michael J Fox Foundation. Panelists scheduled to appear: Lincoln Peirce (Big Nate), Mark Tatulli (Lio), Lucas Turnbloom (Imagine This), Andrew Farago, (Curator, Cartoon Art Museum), Shaenon Garrity (Skin Horse, Narbonic), Jenni Holm, (Baby Mouse) an Eisner Award nominee. Session moderated by Tom Racine (Tall Tale Radio podcast).

Drink and Draw at Heroescon

So I have been friends with Shelton Drum for many years. Over the years I have seen his Heroescon grow into one of the biggest and best comic conventions in the country.

Five years ago at heroescon I met someone who has changed my life...for the better. He is Richard Thompson. From the first time we met until this very moment our friendship and admiration has grown for each other.
Richard gave us one of the best comic strips ever, Cul de Sac and I became one of his biggest fanboys. Four years ago Richard found out He had Parkinsons. He has tackled it like he does with everything else, a laugh and missing the deadline as long as he could with Parkinsons.
We might not haveCul de Sac to laugh to everyday but we do have something else to turn our attention to. That is finding a cure for Parkinsons. In 2010 Richard and i started Team Cul de Sac. We asked artists to donate art using Richards characters and we auctioned the art off and even had a nice coffee table book made. We might not have a cure yet but we have raised some make dough for the Michael J Fox Foundation.Most of the almost 110k was made last year and we hope to add to that total this year.

This is where Heroescon has stepped in. For the last two years we have had a drink and draw for a few hours on Friday night after the con. Each year we have raised around 1400 bucks for our efforts.
Well this year Heroescon wanted to step that up a drop. With the wonderful help of Heather, Seth, Rico and the main man Shelton Drum we are having a big party this year. ( more details will be added very soon about the time and place) I do know it is Friday night after the show.



Heather and Seth asked me to help them round up some folks to donate art. So I have.

First off we have:

A signed hard cover of Maus with a sketch in the book by the legend himself Art Spiegelman!

Oh but that was not enough I wanted to make a real splash so I asked our wonderful friend

Bill Watterson to sign some copies of Team Cul de Sac for us to Auction off this year. He did and then to help out that little bit more. Bill has signed some Complete Calvin and Hobbes softcovers for us.

We will be auctioning off one of the TCDS books and one of the Complete Calvin and Hobbes off at Heroescon. This is one of the rarest cartooning signatures EVER!!!!!!!

But there is more!!! Now for the art!

Ron Ferdinad sent us this Dennis the Menace!

Terri Liberson sent us an original Pajama Diaries original!

http://pajamadiaries.com/

An original Lio Sketch by Mark Tatulli

http://www.gocomics.com/lio

A Mutts original sketch by Patrick McDonnell

http://muttscomics.com/default.aspx

A Zits sketch by Jim Borgman!!!

http://zitscomics.com/

This is just a sample...

We have a sketch from Lincoln Peirce of Big Nate fame!

A Sketch from Dan Piraro!

A sketch from Brian Bassett of Red and Rover fame!

A sketch from Bill Holbrock of Kevin and Kell fame!

Young Childrens book legend Mo Willems gave us a Pigeon sketch!

John Hambrock gave us a cool the brilliant mind of edison lee sketch!

Plus we have all of the amazing art up for grabs at the Drink and Draw!!!

More to come!

yeah and you can donate using this link below!

http://www2.michaeljfox.org/site/TR/TeamFox/TeamFox?team_id=3700&pg=team&fr_id=1300

A big thanks to everyone at Heroescon helping us out!
Chris

Bill Watterson signing a few books for TCDS

Hi everyone, Chris Sparks here with some cool news!
Bill Watterson will be signing 5 Team Cul de Sac books and 5 Complete Calvin and Hobbes softcovers for Team Cul de Sac to sell to help raise money for the Michael J Fox Foundation. 
One of each will be sold/auctioned at Heroescon this year.
More news with details soon.

Thank you to Bill Watterson in helping us out!

T/Y to Shelton Drum,Seth Peagler,Heather Mobley Peagler,Rico Renzi and everybody at http://www.heroesonline.com/ for their support.

We will also have a copy of each book at Baltimore Comic-Con to sell. 
Thank you Mark Nathan and Bradford Tree for all of their support at the Baltimorecon.

Team Cul de Sac nominated for an Eisner award!!!!!!!!!!

Hi its Chris again!
Wow! What an Honor to be nominated for an Eisner Award for Best Comics-Related Book:
Team Cul De Sac: Cartoonists Draw the Line at Parkinson’s, edited by Chris Sparks (Andrews McMeel)! 

Congrats to all of the contributors from Team Cul de Sac and a big shout out to Richard Thompson. We love ya! http://www.comic-con.org/awards/will-eisner-comic-industry-award-nominees-2013

Between all of the Fundraising(donations,art auction of the book art, books, drink and draw at Heroescon,signed books by Richard Thompson and Bill Watterson, T-shirts, prints, matching donations etc...
We have raised over $110,000

I want to say more but I am speechless! Besides Stay tuned for more ways to give and maybe get a cool piece of art. 

If you contributing artist or a professonal cartoonist, please consider voting for us for the Eisner Award and Harvey Nominations.

Here is what Richard Thompson had to say about all of this!

http://richardspooralmanac.blogspot.com/2013/04/eisner-awards.html

photo:
Jennifer Elliott(my wife) Michael J Fox and Chris

Awards time of the year. Go VOTE for TCDS

Just a reminder to all of the contributors, professionals and fans. I have sent TCDS off to the Eisner awards for nomination consideration. We should know about if we were nominated in about a month. Also, if you are a contributor or a professional who loved our book vote for us to be nominated for the Harvey awards. Information on that follows:

Remember folks, if you contributed to Team cul de sac then please nominated your book for the Harvey awards. Please vote for us! If we get nominated then lets get the word out to vote for us in the finals! I have no shame do I?
I just Nominated Team Cul de Sac for:

Best Anthology: Team Cul de Sac/Andrews McMeel

Special Award for Humor in Comics Chris Sparks/Team Cul de Sac

Special Award for Excellence In Presentation:Team Cul de Sac/Andrews McMeel
and 

Best Biographical, Historical, or Journalistic Presentation :Team Cul de Sac/Andrews McMeel
(for Michael Cavnas Story on Richard Thompson)

http://www.harveyawards.org/2013-nomination-ballot/?utm_source=Pro2+2013+Harvey+Nom+Ballot&utm_campaign=Harvey+2013+Nom+Pro&utm_medium=email

TCDS discussed in year-end podcast

2012 Year-End Roundtable with Joe McCulloch, Bill Kartalopoulos and Tom Spurgeon.

By Robin McConnell

Inkstuds February 12, 2013

http://www.inkstuds.org/2012-year-end-roundtable-with-joe-mcculloch-bill-kartalopoulos-and-tom-spurgeon/

http://www.inkstuds.org/wp-content/podcast/130211_2012_Year-End_Roundtable.mp3

The discussion begins about Team Cul de Sac begins at 1 hour 31 minutes, and Spurgeon picks one illustration by Chris Schweizer to focus on. He also focuses on the possibility of self-promotion (ie being in a book with Richard Thompson), but when we were putting it together, it was more of a jam (albeit one-sided).

TCDS contributor Dave McDonald profiled

Cartoonist helps kids learn history by creating comics [Dave McDonald].
 By Rob Novit
Aiken Standard February 17, 2013
http://www.aikenstandard.com/article/20130216/AIK0101/130219630/1031/cartoonist-helps-kids-learn-history-by-creating-comics

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