Publishers

With DC's New 52 changing the face of comics, and getting mostly positive reviews from retailers, it was time for Marvel to announce their OWN new initiative which is aimed at people who want to open new stores. Marvel will provide deep discounts and free trade paperbacks and access to Marvel's Retailer Resource Center. The promotion also applies to existing accounts who want to open a new store. It almost goes without saying that in a challenged retailing environment, opening new stores is of vital importance.

Ever wondered why there isn't a webseries that doesfor indie cartoonists with THE GUILD does for gamers? Well now there is! A few days ago The Beat's Shannon O'Leary alerted you to the existence of Derek Kirk Kim's new webseries, MYTHOMANIA, and now having watched it ourselves, it is SUPER AMAZING. Two episodes (or 9) now out tell the story of Andy Go, an aspiring indie cartoonists who lives in LA, gets rejected by publishers, hangs out with his friends arguing about Alan Moore, and hankers after a cool girl nerd cartoonist. Written and directed by Kim, it's sharp, funny and looks great -- AND it has cameos by Scott McCloud and, in an upcoming episode, Jason Shiga! WATCH IT NOW then come back for the commentary.

A crumbling monochrome Gotham skyscape gives way to the Batman symbol in the first official teaser poster for THE DARK KNIGHT RISEs, the third film in the Christopher Nolan helmed trilogy. An official teaser TRAILER is expected before this weekend final Harry Potter film. Can't wait. Esp. like the artwork-like feeling of the image.

Okay so this is how it's going to go. Following on the heels of the New 52, DC is announcing its October books with a smatter of new miniseries and other extras. The Batbooks were revealed today with a new Huntress mini by Paul Levitz and a Penguin mini by Gregg Hurwitz.. In addition, as expected, often tardy writer/artist David Finch has been joined by Paul Jenkins and Jay Fabok on DETECTIVE COMICS #2. Graeme McMillan says this is the first DC book to crack, but we haven't seen all the #2s yet.

Is it a new comic book about the adventures of Saul Bass?  Or just the return of Iron Fist?

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:

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.

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