Pop Culture Journalism Class Blog

BY: John J. Gillooly

REVIEW: Saga #1

Writer: Brian K Vaughn

Artist: Fiona Staples

Publisher: Image

Release: March 14, 2012

After a long, terrible, gut wrenching amount of time, comic crafter extraordinaire Brian K. Vaughn has returned to the warmth that is the comic book world. The world-builder made famous for such nerd-worship glory such as Deus Ex Machina, Y: The Last Man, and cult Marvel hit the Runaways has return from his self-imposed exile to bring us the all-new glory of Saga, and it does not disappoint.

One of the big reasons that BKV is known and praised for his work that has been seen again and again in his ability to create whole worlds with rules and boundaries that makes it all so real. This is much the same with Saga where he created whole planets, races and creatures that populate them. Yet even in this wonder, we are  drawn into the very real and very human-like feeling that inhabits our two protagonists.

Many reviews have compaired the series as a cross between “Star Wars” and “Romeo and Juilet,” and I believe that is an apt comparison. The universe that populates Saga is very Star Wars-esque in the sheer amount of background aliens and creatures, and yet there is this very personal conflict with our two main characters, Marko and Alana, two “people” (for the lack of a better word) that runaway after seeing a war break out between their respective families. Sound familiar?

Bringing this from BKV’s glorious brain to to page is the criminally unknown product of Fiona Staples. Bouncing around independent comics for the past couple of works, Saga is by far her most high profile work to date, and she does not disappoint. A beautifully sketchy, light-ink style that invokes the kinetic linework of Francis Manapul, Staples brings some serious game to this large, almost daunting world. She absolutely has the chops for this undertaking, being able to render these gorgeous worlds, while also getting great “acting” from the characters and their very personable conflict.

Saga is simply put a figurative and literal beauty. This book absolutely lives up to the months of hype that has preceded it. Clear the red carpet comic book world, BKV is back for his throne.

Story: 5 of 5

Art: 5 of 5

Overall: 5 of 5

BY: RYAN WEISSER

http://s2.torbit.com/img/cccc88fcfafea5e8c58a3fa159d19a7b1b339580-Kony-2012_stop-at-nothing.jpg

#MakeHimFamous

#KONY2012

#stopKony

These hashtags have been floating around social media sites like Facebook and Twitter since Tuesday, March 5, when Invisible Children, a charity whose goal is to end the war in Uganda, premiered this short film about a man named Joseph Kony, and how they want him to become a household name:

But before Kony’s name started floating around social media sites, George Mason University’s branch of Invisible Children were already preparing for the premiere.

“We’ve been waiting a long while for this video to go out for the public to view,” said Emily Bonzek, a 20-year-old sophomore from Newport News, Va., studying Integrative Studies. “We’ve raised around $8,000 just this year so that Invisible Children could launch this video and begin the process of nationwide awareness.”

And now that the video has premiered, Mason’s Invisible Children have been receiving the reactions they hoped for.

“So many people have liked our page on Facebook, and have contacted me about becoming a member and ordering the “Cover the Night” kit,” said Carolyn Schorr, a 20-year-old sophomore from Baltimore, Maryland majoring in International Studies. “All we want is awareness; so that now at least people will know about what’s going on in Uganda, and hopefully, they’ll want to do something about it. So far, I think it’s working.”

Students at Mason, who have watched the “Kony 2012” video, are already in a frenzy trying to prepare for “Cover the Night,” an event that will be held on April 20, 2012 where everyone is supposed to cover every public surface they possibly can with posters and other objects in the “Cover the Night” kit.

“I ordered my kit last night, on Wednesday,” said Meghan Capps, a 19-year-old sophomore from Chesapeake, Va., studying Psychology. “I’m just worried it won’t get here in time; I heard shipping is going to take a lot longer than they expected because more people than they expected have already ordered kits.”

Kendall Bilbrey, a 20-year-old senior from Wytheville, Va., studying Integrative Studies and Environmental Science has yet to order her kit, but even if she doesn’t get to order it, there’s more to the “Kony 2012” initiative than one night of awareness.

“The whole point is for us to take action,” said Bilbrey, “so even if I don’t order a kit for April 20, I’m going to call my state representatives, I’m going to tweet and Facebook about it, I’m going to talk to my co-workers about it and most of all: I’m going to make sure that people don’t forget about Kony after April 20.”

“This thing is bigger than one night,” continued Bilbrey, “and I want to make sure that people will still spread the word about Kony until he’s as infamous as Saddam Hussein, and so that we won’t even have to think about helping countries like Uganda when they are facing war.”

In Vibrant Color: Vintage Celebrity Portraits from the Harry Warnecke Studio

By Kayla Cohen

Harry Warnecke lived in a world that was black and white. But, he wanted color.

A photographer for the Daily News in the 1930s, he planned, designed, and then constructed his own camera to shoot colors in their unique pigments.

He photographed pop culture icons from athletes to news anchors to movie stars. Twenty four of his works are currently on display in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.

The photograph of actress Irene Dunne is simply stunning. Her vivacious red lipstick is just as eye-popping as her canary yellow jacket. Sixty-eight years later, you can still see the sparkle in her diamond ring.

The 1945 snapshot of Dwight D. Eisenhower is just as mesmerizing. Warnecke was able to capture the look of accomplishment and pride in Eisenhower’s face due to the victory of the Second World War. The American flag in the background was a great addition to the photograph as well, without overdoing it.

Ted Williams strikes a serious pose in the 1940 color print. Warnecke captured the determination and poise of the famous ball player. The red from his head and socks are just as bright as any photograph taken in the 21st century.

“In Vibrant Color: Vintage Celebrity Portraits from the Harry Warnecke Studio” is a definite must-see.

By: Jessica Farley

At Soul Food Night celebrating Black History month — there were collard greens, sweet potato pie — and plates full of puposas and quesadillas.

Quesadillas?

“[There is] a rich African cultural history in Latin America, from Afro-Cuban dance to the large African populations in Brazil,” explains Wendi N. Manuel Scott, a professor of African and African American Studies at George Mason University. “In fact, there were more enslaved Africans in Brazil than in any of the Americas.”

So, Black History History Month ended with about 60 people eating both Latin and African American soul food.

“Everyone loved all of the food, and we had a blast,”  said Christine Gonzales, 21-year-old president of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, who is majoring in Integrative Studies. “This event was a really fun way to share our cultures with other people.”

Her sorority as well as Zeta Phi Beta African American Sorority organized the event for the second year — but it was the first year the dinner was officially part of Black History month. Sorority sisters helped prepare the food, along with Sodexo (GMU’s campus food provider) and local restaurants, such as El Buen Gusto  in Fairfax.

With plans to incorporate their bi-cultural exploration of food and dance into next future Black History Month’s events, Gonzales says she hopes for an even larger turn-out in years to come.

“With free food, lots of dancing, and great music, I think ‘Soul Food Night’ will continue to be a success,” predicts Gonzales.

The Patriot Duckie was just one giveaway that was given to those who bought tickets to GBAY

By Rachel Newdorf

There are some things you can’t buy on eBay — like better parking spots, or the chance to create and name your own food on campus. But, you can buy it at GBay.

The third-annual student benefit auction was held Thursday March 1 at the Johnson Center. Tickets were $5 in advance and $7 at the door — and raised more than $5,600 for the Mason Scholarship fund.

The sold items like a signed Sergei Federov hockey stick and an autographed Torrey Smith football — and experiences like lunch with Coach Paul Hewitt.

In three years, the event has raised almost $25,000 in scholarship money.

“Maybe in the future we can set up a GBAY scholarship,” says one of the event organizers, Mark Mansdoerfer, a 20-year-old Business Management and Accounting major from Lunberton, N.J.

By: Samita Mason

By the time he graduates, freshman Ryan McGreedy, hopes to have a record deal.

The 18-year-old civil engineering major started his band, The 6th Degree, three years ago with fellow freshman, 18-year-old graphic design major Jason Peevy.

In high school, the two started writing music that they describe as post-rock instrumental.

“We like to combine different types of music together into something that most people would not recognize,” said bass player, Donnie Cantrell, an 18-year-old freshman majoring in business administration.

The band mates listen to music from Mali and the Middle East and try to incorporate this influence into some of their songs.

“Our music is hardly what you consider to be played on the radio because of its weird sounds and generally long song length,” says drummer Damon Bishop, an 18-year-old, freshman majoring in psychology. “But a number of Mason students find it great to study with since it is all instrumental.”

In their first album titled “In Separation,” the music is instrumental. In future releases, the band plans to release music containing more vocals.

“We crave for the audience to be connected with our music more than the band members. We have played for hundreds of people and find it spiritual when the audience is able to connect with the music,” said McGreedy.

The 6^th Degree is scheduled to play on April 13 at the Empire in Springfield, Va. The band is currently working on their next album titled “Svara,” which they will begin to promote this spring. And while they want to be rock stars, the four bandmates from Springfield aren’t music majors, so they want to have their own careers too.

“We hope we are signed to an agreeable label that allows us to work at our own pace and offers creative freedom, while allowing us to maintain our personal pursuits,” McGreedy said.

By Daniel A. Shyti

Before Monday, March 5, I didn’t know very much about Volition, GMU’s art and literary magazine.  To be completely honest, I didn’t even know we had one.  But with events like last Monday’s open-mic night, the magazine staffers are hoping to change that.

“We’re trying to revamp our image,” said Hannah Wing, 21, a junior biology major and co-editor in chief of the Magazine.  “Really, we want to let people know who we are, considering we don’t even have much of an image to begin with.”

Volition tried hosting an open-mic night last year, but only four people attended and they were all on the magazine staff.  This year’s event, however, brought in approximately 50 people to hear original music, prose, and poetry.

After last year’s failure, the staff worked really hard to draw a crowd. Co-editor-in-chief Katherine Morgenegg says that in addition to promoting it on their blog and Facebook page — they made flyers, did commercials on GMU’s radio station and the school’s cable network — and they put an ad in the Broadside.

A variety of acts shared the Johnson Center Bistro stage, from bedroom poets and guitar pluckers to rehearsed musical acts like Scary Mercedes. Now, the magazine is already planning another event.

“We’ve really wanted to do a slam poetry competition,” said Katherine, 20, a junior majoring in Russian Language and Creative Writing. “We kind of gave the idea a test drive with the open-mic night.  We’ll definitely have more events like this in the future.”

Volition is planning to print their 13th volume this Spring.  If you would like to contribute to the magazine, submit your original work to volition@gmu.edu by April 4.  Submission details can be found at volitionmagazine.onmason.com.

By Rachel Newdorf

Millions around the world will be watching the summer Olympics in London this year.

Can’t afford a ticket across the pond? Mason is offering their own Olympics this Spring.

On April 5, the first ever School of Art Olympics will take place in the Art and Design building. With events involving art and art programs here at school, students and faculty will take part in a variety of different competitions including Pictonary and candy sculpting (just so you get the idea).

The Focus Group, the organization hosting the event, was started by a group of students passionate about photography.  Wanting to have a place where students can network, build their portfolio and share a common passion about photography, the Focus Group invites all who are interested to be a part of their organization.

“We are trying to build a sense of community at SoA,” says Stephanie Booth, the 30-year-old president of the Focus Group and master’s student from Alexandria.

Sean Salyards, the Group’s faculty advisor came up with the idea of the Olympics — he did something similar when he was in graduate school and wanted to try it out at Mason.

The goal, he says, is to improve “fellowship and community” among art students.

The Focus Group meets every Friday at 10:30 a.m. in the School of Art room L011 and is currently focused on organizing the event up until the April 5 launch date.

If you are interested in joining the event or helping out, visit the event’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/GmuArtOlympics

You can also RSVP to the event at https://www.facebook.com/events/201048066663441/

Just interested in the Focus Group? You can find their page here at https://www.facebook.com/FocusGroupGMU

By Zohra Alnoor

Halfway through his junior year at GMU, Ali Baluch, realized he didn’t want to be a government drone. He wanted to be Spike Lee.

“I realized that I didn’t have a passion for politics and if I didn’t get out at that point, then I never would,” says Baluch, 22.

What he loved was making movies.  For years he directed, produced, shot and edited short films in his free time. So, the government and international politics major transferred to Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy in Chicago. Now, Baluch is studying Film and Broadcast with a focus in directing.

“It was challenging at first, but leaving all of my friends and family was a step I had to take. I had to abandon that comfort zone in order to grow,” says Baluch.

With a year of film school down, and another year to look forward to, Baluch  hopes to follow in the steps of Darren Aronofosky or Spike Lee, and one day create films that are beautiful works of art that make the viewers think.

But until then, Baluch will take the projects coming his way and build his growing portfolio.

“You’ll learn a lot on each film project and probably make many mistakes,” says Baluch. “To say that Spielberg or Scorsese were perfect from the start would be a lie. Those mistakes that you make will help you evolve into a better film maker…and then you can get super rich.”

BY: RYAN WEISSER

Bright neon, natural earth tones, exotic patterns and flowing fabrics graced the  DC Fashion Week runways — and now they’re walking the sidewalks of George Mason University.

Pure Elegance Boutique Design: http://dcfashionweek.org/dcfw/wp-content/gallery/pure-elegance-boutique/dfw_1080.jpg

Mason Sylvester Design: http://dcfashionweek.org/dcfw/wp-content/gallery/5-mason-sylvester/090.jpg

Adorned in bright-blue skinny jeans from American Eagle and a neon-pink blazer from H&M, Allie Hunter, a 21-year-old junior and communication major from Baltimore, simulated Olga DeNogga’s structured designs and Favala’s stunning hues.

“I absolutely LOVED all of the bright colors at the International Couture fashion show,” said Hunter. “It got me in the mood for spring and summer almost instantly, so ever since, I’ve been trying to incorporate bright neon colors into my wardrobe.”

Jarrod Wadsworth, a 20-year-old senior and communication major from Fairfax, Va., was also recreating styles from DC Fashion Week to make them his own.

“I really liked Mason Sylvester; the designs were really retro and classic, but they managed to stay modern,” said Wadsworth, who is also a fashion blogger for CHAOS Magazine, an online fashion magazine.

“I’ve been taking some of the retro accents  he’s known to use, like vests,” said Wadsworth, showcasing his Gap charcoal vest, “and combining them in a way that’s more realistic for me to wear on a day-to-day basis.”

Wearing emerald-green feathered earrings from a DC thrift store and a turquoise crop-top from Forever21, Maite Rubio, a 20-year-old sophomore from Manassass, Va., is taking Pure Elegance Boutique’s Indian-inspired jewel tones and incorporating them into her own style.

“After I saw all of the Eastern-inspired dresses that were in these beautiful, rich colors,” said Rubio, “I wanted to use those colors and enhance my own style with them. That way I can still keep my own unique style while using designs on the runway for inspiration.”

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