Publishers

"I think a solid core of high-selling mainstream-y genre comics would be nice, but it really hasn't happened (except for arguably the manga phenomenon,...

Given that creator Pendleton Ward is a huge comics reader and sometime cartoonist and that half the staff consists of folks you would normally see at Stumptown, AND that the cartoon itself is heavily influenced by generations of alt.comix (Ward says Trondheim's Dungeon comics are a huge influence) ....it's a surprise that up until now there hasn't been an ADVENTURE TIME comic book based on the hugely popular Cartoon Network show. But now BOOM!! is remedying that with a new ongoing monthly series written by Ryan North (DINOSAUR COMICS) with art by Shelli Paroline (ICE AGE: ICED IN and MUPPET SNOW WHITE.) It's part of Boom's KaBOOM! kid line. Also of note: the book is coming out from BOOM! rather than DC, which, like the Cartoon Network, is owned by Warner Bros.

In an emailed newsletter, artist Steve Rude reports that his rough year is ending on an up note, and he'll be re-teaming with writer Mike Baron for a new Nexus story starting in DARK HORSE PRESENTS #12 in May. The three installments of the story will then be collected into a standalone 30-page book. The story deals with the "nature of evil". Nexus, the spacefaring tale of a superhero who kills mass-murderers -- has had a long run with multiple publishers since the early '80s. Baron and Rude self-published an issue a few years ago but the series has been hit with delays since then.

Wow those WATCHMEN 2 leaks are getting better and better. On Christmas Day, Bleeding Cool posted some WATCHMEN 2 artwork -- a Nite Owl pin-up by Joe and Andy Kubert and a Comedian pin-up by JG Jones.

A few suggestions on how publishers can improve their websites. Feel free to add your own in the comments! (And, yeah, I guess we could take some ourselves, "what's sauce for the goose" and all that...)

Merry Christmas. I'll be watching some basketball today. The NBA has long tried to be to Christmas what the NFL is to Thanksgiving, and this year the league is even launching the season on Christmas. (If you don't know, don't ask. There was a work stoppage and it was ugly.) You may not realize it, but there's a smidgeon of crossover between comics and the NBA. Bill Jemas was fairly high up in the league offices YEARS before he joined Marvel. Remember the NBA Hoops trading cards that the league owned? That was Bill. Which led to Fleer. Which led to Marvel. Current Marvel EIC Axel Alonso has been speaking of basketball in his interviews of late. Marvel also did a neat cross-promotion with the NBA, ESPN and Wired last year, making up mock comic book covers merging Marvel characters with the various teams. Comics Alliance has an archive of it.

Universities? Publishing books about comics? What's the world coming to?

Hachette's Marvel catalog for May - August 2012 is out and we find a few interesting tidbits that might give us a clue to what Marvel's up to next. The big question is what's up with Henry Pym?

Looking for the unusual? The overlooked? Something a bit different? Take a look here!

Ch-changes! San Diego-based IDW Publishing has an opening for someone in the PR/Marketing Department. They're looking for an experienced individual in the PR and marketing field -- comics experience is a MAJOR plus. With their strong presence in licensed comics, renewed focus on originals, amazing reprint program and digital growth...well this is where the action is. Think you have what it takes? Send your resume to Dirk Wood: dirk@idwpublishing.com.

We've had a Hobbit trailer. We've had Dark Knight Rises trailers. We've had John Carter trailers. But Craig Ferguson's favorite geek-to-film adaption is getting the short shrift. Behold: the new trailer for Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (Ghost Rider 2, if you prefer).

Thor, Iron Man and Cap are shown doing what they do best in these new stills released today.