Culture

If you are grieving for the loss of Brenda Starr with the previous story, fear not, Hermes Press is launching a reprint series of the strip from the beginning with the first two storylines in full color. The first book comes out in June 2011. We'll be making some room on the shelf.

Another classic comic strip just ran out of panels: Brenda Starr is ending its run on January 2. Writer Mary Schmich and artist June Brigman have decided to end their run on the strip, and the syndicate decided to end the strip with them. The death of Schmich's mother is said to have been the turning point in deciding to move on.

Kickstarter, the website that allows creative types to raise money by direct appeal to a community of supporters, has been helping all sorts of folks get their dream comics out there -- from reprints of obscure old comics, to webcomic collections. Most projects we've seen are fairly modest. But some are much bigger in scope. Tony Harris has just turned to Kickstarter for his new project ROUNDEYE: For Love. That would be Starman/Ex Machina, five-time Eisner nominee Tony Harris.

While the news that Fantagraphics is to publish Barnaby might have seemingly exhausted the archives of cult favorite comic strips that need to be reprinted, it is definitely not so. Percy Crosby's Skippy is another much-admired comic strip getting a reprint...but this one has a hell of a backstory.

Tonight the World War 3 crew celebrates their 30th anniversary with a gallery show at Exit Art. This politically-minded group of artists and cartoonists has been covering issues with art and making stars like Peter Kuper and Seth Tobocman in the process. More information below - note the ongoing events list at the end.

Cartoonist Michel Fiffe and pundit Tucker Stone have teamed up for Jumpstart That Comics Career! which might be the ultimate in "how to" advice. A sample:

Alex Toth fans rejoice. Dean Mullaney and Bruce Canwell's long-awaited book on Toth, including a biography and little seen art -- has expanded to a three volume, slip-cased edition, to be published by IDW. Toth's children, Dana and Eric, were consulted in the writing process and it promises to be a comprehensive, lavishly illustrated affair. The first volume, Genius Isolated, ships in March 2011 and spotlights his early work and life until the 60s. Genius, Illustrated follows his life in Animation, and Genius Animated includes little seen animation models and drawings. A slipcase will ship with the third volume.

Photos and text by Jen Vaughn The New England Webcomics Weekend was like no other convention I have attended in all my (two) years of...

This is not comics, barely animation, but it does involve The Beat's favorite handbag designer, Hayden-Harnett, which has a deal with Disney to make limited edition handbags and accessories.

Over on YouTube, you can watch The Comic Strip Hero, 1981 documentary made by the BBC about the history of Superman. WE haven't had time to watch the whole thing, but it promises a fantastic look back with contemporary footage of Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

Every year the producers of the best cartoon of the 21st century, The Venture Brothers, unleash a new Christmas single -- here's a handy link to all of them to date Including Venture-Aid 2006 and The Monarch singing The Christmas Song. There are rumors of a new song for 2010, but until then, enjoy the mellow sounds of Venture-mas past.

A series of videos interviewing Vancouver comics legend Colin Upton . His website is here.