Holidays

It's billed as "The Fastest and Funniest LEGO Star Wars story ever told...The Prequel!" and it shows that when you have access to ALL the Lego sets you can make a pretty bitchin' lego toon . May 4th is celebrated around the galaxy as Star Wars Day not because it's when the original STAR WARS opened (that would be May 25, 1977) but because it's a pun on "May the Fourth Be With You." It is celebrated by gradually replacing humans with droids and disappointing expectations.

It was Forbidden Planet International that tipped us off to this great day, and we couldn't let it pass unnoted. (Comics content: Shatner is the author of many fine comics over the years! And no one is to say otherwise.)

We made it again! Barely, but we're here. Feeling good! ...and with bonus squid!

And to finish up our little Irish-themed section, Colleen Doran offers a preview of Gone to Amerikay, the graphic novel she's been working on for the last two years. It's written by Eisner nominated author Derek McCulloch, with colors by Jose Villarubia -- the final book will come out sometime in 2012 from Vertigo.

Doran writes:

MK Reed (Americus) writes to alert us to her new webcomic About A Bull which adapts the Tain Bo Cuailnge -- a colorful section of Irish legend revolving around Queen Maeve and her jealousy over the majesty of someone else's bull. Hijinks, battles and feats of amazing derring-do ensue.

We'll start out our mini-seasonal tribute with, of courseEclectic Micks, the sketch blog by a bunch of Irish artists. Above, Banshee by (this time for real) Declan Shalvey.

Also in keeping with this special day of love, after a troubling seven-year stretch in which they were separated, Barbie and Ken are together again. Although they had dated steadily since their days as surfers together in Malibu in the early '60s, they gradually drifted apart over the years. After Barbie left Ken for Blaine, another, younger surfer dude, Ken entered an "experimental" period that involved Fire Island, waxing, and watching Glee. But it's been announced -- just in time for Toy Fair -- that these two dolls are really soulmates in vinyl.

Obviously, DC doesn't want to risk losing the dollars of its core audience in the hopes of gaining a broader selection of readers. What if those new readers don't come? Hey, that’s a serious and valid question. Money isn't exactly pouring in. Taking a risk is scary when a comic selling 25,000 copies is considered a solid book. And so...you do nothing. You make awkward jokes when fans ask questions at cons. You put minority characters who rarely appear in big pose down images as if they are an integral part of the story. You hope to keep complaints from both sides to a very low rumbling.

Totally missed this before, but better late than never? "Shallow Gravy"

In the spirit of our Christmas in Blighty, here are a few classic British comics images. Wishing all of you the best in the holidays,...

A new Christmas ditty from James Kochalka: