Culture

How on earth did we miss this until now? Ben Towle is putting together The Animal Alphabet Project, drawing of critters by cartooners. Above, the N is for Naked Mole Rat by Gabriel Hardman, below L is for Lynx by Henry Eudy.

What makes a great comic book cover? We think it has to do with hats blowing off.

Not since Star Trek waffles (I'm not kidding) has a movie had so many unconventional food tie-ins as Captain America: The First Avenger. Clearly this called for a review in the interest of science journalism. So while visiting my parents for the Fourth of July weekend, I decided an expedition into patriotic tie-in food was required and resolved to try and review it all, a project which revealed one vitally important fact - apparently Americans really, really like patriotic donuts.

Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday. Regular Beat service will resume tomorrow.

By Jeff Trexler-- In March 2008, Grant Morrison's homage to Siegel and Shuster appeared in comic shops on the very same day that the Siegel heirs recaptured half the original Superman copyright.  Now Morrison is set to work his shaman's magic once again in the September relaunch of Action #1--and this time, the Siegels could lose everything. Morrison's upcoming Supergods holds the key to understanding why. For an explanation and a sneak preview of Morrison’s new book, click below. A mysterious appeal, Joe Shuster’s super-swastika and the final crisis of the legal multiverse--this one has it all.

Take a spin around the week's nerd entertainment news with Shannon O'Leary.

A Facebook page has sprung up to organize a protest march against the new awful designs of the new 52. It seems some folks don't like the new fresh DC designs that are all new:

Cartoonist Darryl Ayo reminds us not to get too jaded, and a comics image gallery that would make anyone sit up and take notice.

A licensed massage therapist/cosplayer named Amber is concerned by some Wizard shows where something called cosplay massage has been exhibiting, something she feels is unsuitable for a family convention. and it's not just skimpy costumes. Its the element of fantasy entering into a therapeutic service.

LeVette Fuller from Shreve Memorial Library in Shreveport, Louisiana is the lucky winner of more than $20,000 for here library in the Great Graphic Novel Library Giveaway. The prize was announced at this weekends American LIbrary Association. A video was made of the winner, above. Nearly 1500 librarians entered the contest.

It's been a furious few weeks of action here at Stately Beat Manor and around the comics intertubes as everyone scrambles to cover the DC Relaunch and What It Means. I've been as obsessed as anyone, although some of the fruits of my labor have yet to be posted. And of course, San Diego Comic-Con is just around the corner (less than four weeks) so things are about to get even busier and even crazier is such a thing is possible. And it is.

. Twice a year, once in January someplace cold, once in June somewhere sweltering, the membership of the American Library Association gathers to network, workshop,...