The blog of Richard Thompson, caricaturist, creator of "Cul de Sac," and winner of the 2011 Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year.

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

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.

Monday, August 1, 2016

Tributes to Richard Thompson

Tributes to Richard Thompson

Friday, July 29, 2016

Comic Riffs on Richard Thompson masterpieces

The early Thompson - Science fiction fandom art

Someone asked me privately about this, so I'm putting it out for everyone. 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. You can see his Ronald Searle influence clearly in this art, but also many of Richard's own themes such as characters sitting on the moon, goofy restaurants... and chatty rats. The early caricatures from the Eye show how he would soon begin his career.

A Rose for Ecclesiastes by Roger Zelazny


The Barcroft Books ad, I believe






















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

Thursday, July 28, 2016

A short personal remembrance of Richard Thompson

A short personal remembrance of Richard Thompson
by Mike Rhode
ComicsDC blog July 28, 2016

Some tributes to Richard Thompson in the press (updated as required)

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

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

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

John Gallagher's tribute cartoon for Richard Thompson

Life Without Richard Thompson by Anton Scamvougeras


Comics Journal: Obituary by Andrew Farago

RIP Richard Thompson by Dana Jeri Maier

Donna Lewis' Reply All tribute



Wednesday, July 27, 2016

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


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.

Thursday, June 16, 2016

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


Published June 4, 2011


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.

Friday, June 10, 2016

Comic Riffs on the new Cul de Sac play

Cul de Sac play returns to Encore Stage this weekend

Cul de Sac

Encore Stage & Studio 

Thomas Jefferson Theatre


 Thru Sun, June 12
$10-$15 buy tickets
Call 703-548-1154 to order

 official website

Four-year-old Alice Otterloop and her older brother, Petey, learn about friendship and the importance of being yourself in this world premier play adaptation of Richard Thompson’s nationally syndicated Cul De Sac comic strip. When Alice decides to help Petey become more exciting she risks sending Petey further into his shell. With the help other their parents, teachers, and new and old friends the Otterloop children just might be able to learn something from each other. We recommend this production for ages 4 and older.
Dates:
And here's my pictures from the lobby display:
















The Complete Cul de Sac is available in France

Here's a picture of Richard's copy. The formatting has changed considerably from the American edition, but the book is very well done.


Tuesday, May 24, 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.

Friday, May 6, 2016

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 next month.