Alec Longstreth above to shave at long last
If you've seen cartoonist Alec Longstreth in recent years, you are probably wondering what religion he joined that prevented him from cutting his hair or shaving his beard for three years. It was the religion of comics: as explained in this interview, Longstreth vowed not to shave until his comic BASEWOOD was finished -- which took three years. During this time, Longstreth cut quite a figure -- his beard was not just an earnest but under-achieving sprouting, but a full on man-garden at the height of summer. And in about an hour, with the release party for his minicomic PHASE 7, Longstreth is finally about to go under the razor.
Continue ReadingHaspiel donates minicomics to Library of Congress
Some people just talk about the dream -- Dean Haspiel is living it. Not only is he a cartoonist with a following, the fashion-forward originator of a whole shirtless artist look and an Emmy-winner: now he's managed to get rid of all his old junk donate his "massive hoard" of minicomics to the Library of Congress. A few months ago it was announced that the Library of Congress is now starting an SPX collection which will assemble comics from SPX exhibitors but also items they donate. The LoC is wary of having tons of other people's weird old crap dumped on them; however, the minicomics collection is just the kind of essential folk art that the LoC was created to preserve. We were totally joking about this collection being a lot of junk above, BTW. Dean is a fanatical collector (like a lot of us) but he keeps his stuff NEAT. Ignatz coordinator Eden Miller writes more about the collection:
Continue ReadingGene Ha fills in on JUSTICE LEAGUE #7
Ever since the New 52's flagship book -- Geoff Johns and Jim Lee's JUSTICE LEAGUE -- was announced people have been sniggeringly wondering when it would miss shipping because of Lee's lateness. Well, haters, they just aren't going to let that happen: Gene Ha has been announced for JUSTICE LEAGUE #7 -- as excellent a fill-in artist as you could find. Message: DC is serious about shipping on time.
Continue ReadingFull lineup of 2012 Free Comic Book Day books announced
We already gave you the Gold Sponsor books, but here's the entire Free Comic Book Day 2012 lineup, including everything from kids books to Gilbert Hernandez. More information on all titles available at the FCBD site.
Continue ReadingImage announces Riley Rossmo and Alex Link’s REBEL BLOOD zombie tale
Via PR, news of that new four-issue zombie mini Image has been teasing -- the series will be previewed in both HAUNT and SPAWN:
Continue ReadingDiamond: DC beats Marvel by smaller margin in November
Diamond has just released their November chart toppers, and DC led again by by a considerably smaller margin than the ass-whoopin' they gave Marvel in October. DC led by 2 points in units and a mere single digit in dollars. JUSTICE LEAGUE, BATMAN, and ACTION led the periodicals, while Marvel had three books in the top 10. BATMAN: NOEL, a clever and much needed "Batman does Christmas Carol," led the GNs. Sales overall are up for 2011, mostly thanks to a big boost from periodicals. GNs are down 10% year to year; however, they were up 30% in November, due to, perhaps, a more attractive product mix.
Continue ReadingThe New Deadwardians: Vertigo Introduces Class Warfare Into the Vampires Vs. Zombie Equation
By Todd Allen Vertigo has announced a new mini-series, The New Deadwardians. I have to admit, I chuckled when I read the description: Set in post-Victorian England, nearly everyone in the upper class has voluntarily become a vampire to escape the lower classes who are all zombies.
Continue Reading21 Days of Christmas: Diana Tamblyn
Have a Silver Surfin' Christmas with Diana Tamblyn's Marvel holiday cards.
Continue ReadingComiXology updates their Retailer Digital Storefront information
As the fallout from the Dark Horse digital initiative continues to blow like a glowing cloud over the internet, one other digital initiative has been trashed pretty thoroughly by a bunch of retailers in public and private: comiXology's digital storefronts. The rollout of terms was poorly handled and pissed off a lot of retailers with fears that it was just a front for comiXology to get their customer information. Perhaps in light of this, comiXology has just made a lengthy release about the program's first few months with news that money has been paid out early and at a lower minimum payment. Also a new TOS perhaps more to the liking of retailers will be released, along with other improvements. And the retailers that did use it have called it a big success. 100 stores -- listed below -- are taking part in the program. So -- consider this a new sales pitch: "Take a look at me now."
Continue ReadingDefenders #2 preview
DEFENDERS #2 (NOV110487) Written by MATT FRACTION Pencils & Cover by TERRY DODSON Inks by RACHEL DODSON Colors by SONIA OBACK FOC – 12/12/11, ON SALE 1/4/12
Continue ReadingWar of the heirs rages at Archie Comics as Nancy Silberkleit’s school talks canceled
Oops, well just yesterday The Beat and Michael Sangiacomo were reporting that Archie Comics co-CEO Nancy Silberkleit was continuing to peacefully tell children about the joys of comics despite her past as the target of a sexual harassment lawsuit. However, it seems that a series of anonymous phone calls alerted school officials to Silberkleit's ongoing legal problems and the school visits were canceled. A comics shop appearance and the sale of comics to benefit the schools have gone on as planned. But there is much more than that going on.
Continue ReadingDC Revives Night Force as 7-Issue Mini-Series
DC has announced Night Force is returning as a 7-issue mini-series in March. This will be the third revival for the series, which retains its original writer: Marv Wolfman. Night Force originally dates back to 1982, when Wolfman and Gene Colan reunited after their long run on Tomb of Dracula. The first run lasted 14 issues. The second series went for 12 issues from 1996-97, with a variety of artists like Brent Anderson and Matt Smith joining Wolfman.
Continue ReadingNew semi-autobiographical Gilbert Hernandez book due from D&Q
A new Gilbert Hernandez GN is not astonishing news in and of itself -- the guy is one of the most prolific geniuses out there. However, that it will be overtly semi-autobiographical and that it will be published by D&Q makes it even more newsworthy, as revealed this morning at The Comics Reporter. MARBLE SEASON "follows a group of children and teenagers growing up in suburban southern California of the early 1960s, and tells the untold stories from the youth of an American comics legend. Pop culture references—TV shows, comic books, and music—saturate this evocative story, giving MARBLE SEASON the distinctive narrative depth and attention to detail fans have come to expect from the acclaimed cartoonist's work." The book will be released this fall with a tour to follow.
Continue ReadingMarvel’s women problems past and present: when Ms. Marvel got raped
Yesterday's comments by Tom Brevoort on the lack of sales support for female characters at Marvel did not go unnoticed by the usual gender issue commentators.
Continue ReadingCharges dropped against Susie Cagle
Charges against cartoonist/journalist Susie Cagle for "being present at a raid" have been dropped, although not without a bit of drama:
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