Comics

Evan Dorkin's famed carton of hate and wedge of spite -- aka Milk and Cheese -- are getting a hardcover collection, Dorkin reports. The 240 page collection will include a host of extras:

James Patterson is a mega-author franchise, writer of such series as Alex Cross, Maximum Ride and Witch and Wizard -- the latter two series gave also been adapted into graphic novels. Laura Park is an indie cartoonist from Chicago whose gorgeous work has made her a cartoonist's cartoonist in the indie world. So hearing they've teamed up on a book about middle school sounds unlikely. But it's true.

True believers will have a lot to see and do at Comic-con.

Oi. Think Archie Comics is a place where no one ever says a bad word? Think again. As revealed by TMZ, Archie Comics has filed papers alleging that co-CEO Nancy Silberkleit has been harassing employees and should not represent the company at San Diego Comic-Con:

Less than 24 hours ago The Beat and several other websites linked to a Kickstarter page forWomanthology, an all-female anthology of comics by both established and new creators. Less than 24 hours later not only has it met its $25,000 goal...it is OVER the goal with $27,454 in pledges. In case you haven't noticed, there's been a SURGE of interest in comics, video games, books, movies and TV from females readers, nerds and geeks out there. I have already pointed out how successful female cartoonists and writers are on the bestseller charts. It would seem that everyone who has been squawking about this has spoken with in the loudest way they can -- not with Twitter, or Tumblr but the DOLLAR.

I can totally relate to Lauren Weinstein's latest comic, The Sit Down Test. But not because I've recently spawned - I just failed the sit down test miserably and there's photographic evidence of it! Check that evil dressing room mirror, ladies. And be sure to check out more of Weinstein's work over at Vineyworld.

While we can't answer that question, one creator, Michael Jasper has been making his percentage of sales available for IN MAPS AND LEGENDS, a fantasy comic with touches of steampunk and SF. It got its start as a Zuda competition winner but has since returned to the creators and they've been selling it digitally everywhere. Since IN MAPS AND LEGENDS is available on every platform, and is in a universally popular genre it's an interesting chart:

The Walking Dead gets a huge boost this month as the recent storyline is a big hit. The number two issue this month is Kirby Genesis from Dynamite, though as a one dollar title its sales are somewhat inflated. Coming in at number three is the IDW launch of a Rocketeer anthology. Further down the chart we have new Star Wars comics from Dark Horse, the most recent GI Joe relaunches from IDW, a new Megaman title from Archie, and a bunch of Image comics with increased sales.

Top Shelf has shared their signings and book debuts with us and here's the list: Debuts/Signings: -- Craig Thompson (redesigned Blankets Hardcover & Softcover) -- Kagan McLeod (Infinite Kung Fu) -- Nate Powell (Any Empire) -- Robert Venditti/Mike Huddleston (The Homeland Directive) -- Ray Friesen (Pirate Penguin vs Ninja Chicken) -- plus the new Okie Dokie Donuts (Story 1) -- plus the new League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: 1969

Artist John Higgins is a crucial member of the Watchmen team -- he colored the original and the remastered Absolute edition. To mark 25 years of Watchmen -- and his appearance as part of the con's year of the Brit -- Higgins is releasing a limited edition Watchmen portfolio exclusively for San Diego Comic-Con 2011.


Even allowing for all the ongoing Nü 52 hype, the hottest comic this week was definitely OUR LOVE IS REAL by Sam Humphries and Steven Sanders, a self published tale with a laded look at a futuristic world where people have sex with animals, vegetables and minerals--but still want something more. Of course it sounds prurient, but it's really a thought-provoking SF tale with some lovely art by Sanders. If there were an intelligent version of HEAVY METAL in existence, this would be the lead story.

We've been remiss in not saying more about SVK and experimental comic that design group BERG hired Warren Ellis and artist D'Israeli to produce. The comic can only be read in full with a special UV lamp which reveals key elements of the art. Cool! The comic is only available through BERG and it's already sold out of 3500 copies. A second printing is on the way, however.