Comics

Talk about informed, could you have a better guide to the history of comics logos than the lettering master himself, Todd Klein? His research into the history of comics is as extensive as it is informed:

Bam, the other shoe has dropped: as long anticipated, Diamond is starting a program to offer digital comics sales. Comics will be offered day-and-date exclusively through participating retailers -- with a 30-day exclusive for these stores. Products offered include regular downloads for $1.99 with "Digital Plus" comics -- extras offered with a print purchase -- for $.99, all in hopes of becoming a revenue stream for stores and publishers alike.

Is it really newsworthy that a popular music figure is being mocked in the mages of MAD Magazine, where they invented the pop culture mockery?The AP says Yes!

A new graphic novel by Jim Woodring? A mere year after the great WEATHERCRAFT? Yes, somehow, in between dreaming about his giant steel nib pen, Woodring managed to draw a whole new book. And Flog just debuted the cover. As WEATHERCRAFT dealt with Manhog, this tome deals with Frank -- CONGRESS OF THE ANIMALS is the first ever all new Frank OGN and it's coming in May.

In as unstable job market as we have today, three men have decided to give their art their full time attention, their all. Writer and artist of Let's Be Friends Again!, Curt Franklin and Chris Haley respectively started their witty webcomic on the print comic world and what it means to really be friends in 2008. Eugene Ahn aka nerd rapper Adam WarRock quit his career as an attorney in 2010 in order to follow his heart and let his mouth fly. Today they announced the joining of their two ventures into LBFA!, Inc.

This year's Stumptown Comics Awards are going to a juried format, and to do this...you must have a jury. The five judges form a...

Humanoids and WE Prod. are teaming for a live-action Metal Hurlant TV show, Variety reports, based on the material best known here as HEAVY...

Variety confirms that Cobie Smulders is the front runner for the role of SHIELD agent Maria Hill in Joss Whedon's Avengers movie. Smulders is a Whedon favorite (he wanted her for his Wonder Woman movie) and Hill is a perfect Whedon-type character so the handwriting has been on the wall for this.

Dark Horse tells us that Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson's awesome BEASTS OF BURDEN series will return in 2011. Good news!

It's not a great month for Marvel. In fact, it's one of those rare months when DC had the largest share of the direct market, beating Marvel by 33% to 32% in dollar terms (though if you prefer the unit share, Marvel lead by 39% to 37%). In part, it's because DC's new Batman titles are doing very well - but as we'll see, it's also the case that Marvel just don't have any really big titles out this month. There are a couple of new ongoing series this month - WOLVERINE: THE BEST THERE IS and HEROES FOR HIRE. Following the Shadowland crossover, DAREDEVIL reinvents itself as BLACK PANTHER. And there's just one new miniseries - ULTIMATE COMICS DOOM. And that's it, so far as new books.

Even our congressmen are getting bitten by the graphic novel bug, as Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) is signed with Top Shelf to co-write...

ICv2 has started its annual round of CEo chats and kicks off with IDW's Ted Adams in three parts.. Adam sis a good choice because IDW has made significant recent gains as the first new front-of-thebook publishers since exclusives were invented, and he doesn't give you a lot of double speak. A few excerpts: On pricing (IDW has always been $3.99):