Views of Krypto to benefit Steve Niles's dog
There's been much speculation over the fate of Krypto, Superman's pet dog who somehow came with him to Earth, in the New 52 -- it seems, based on comments at NYCC, that in this grim, no future world of economic collapse, there is no place for a dog in a cape. We'd argue that the opposite is true -- the world needs a dog in a cape more than ever! -- but it seems that Superman's dog will only be seen in flashbacks set on Krypton, like the above Gene Ha variant cover to SUPERMAN #3. He's also been given a grim and gritty makeover as an albino dire wolf, like he wandered over from the set of Game of Thrones.
Those who miss Krypto will definitely enjoy the art that is going up in an auction for writer Steve Niles's greyhound Sonny, who is undergoing a very expensive treatment for lymphoma. Artists have been donating art for Niles to sell at auction and collect into a print set to raise money for the treatment. Here's a Bernie Wrightson piece, which really should be in the 31 days of Halloween folder:
New campaign: A Buck for Jack
Earlier today we noted Stan Lee's penchant for pacting. Sadly, his partner in the Marvel Age, Jack Kirby, did not live to see the era where his creations and influence dominate pop culture. In fact, his family is right now engaged in a bitter dispute with Marvel Comics over the rights to the characters he created.
Some have called, passionately, for a boycott of Marvel over this. and they would have the high ground. But if a boycott isn't your style. Nat Gertler has started his own way to remember The King, a program called A Buck for Jack, which suggests you donate a dollar every time you go see a movie based on Kirby's creations.
Nice art: Garry Trudeau draws Cul-de-Sac
Team Cul-de-Sac launched as a fundraising effort for Parkinson's Disease Research after Reuben award-winning cartoonist Richard Thompson was diagnosed with the disease. The plan is to publish a book next spring and auction off some of the all-star art. Along the way it's featured art by retired cartoonists like Bill Watterson and Cathy Guisewite, all drawing Thompson's Otterloop characters. Here's a new piece by not-retired cartoonist Garry Trudeau. This is gonna be some book.
Schulz Library needs volunteers tomorrow
Here's an update on the status of the CCS Schulz Library, which was endangered by flood waters but saved by a plucky and heartwarming band of volunteers who risked danger and dampness to rescue every single book from the library. Although the books are high and dry, the building they were housed in is in questionable shape, and the books are extremely jumbled from the sudden move. In order to get things organized for the new class, arriving in scant days, a call has gone out for some help:
How to Save a Graphic Novel Library
BY JEN VAUGHN - Sunday night, a heroic group of cartoonists clamored their way over rocks, train tracks and rushing waters to evacuate the Schulz Graphic Novel Library.
Reminder: Floating World’s Dylan Williams Benefit Sale
Just as a reminder, today and tomorrow Floating Worlds in Portland is holding a Dylan Williams Benefit Sale
. The Sparkplug publisher is in the hospital battling cancer -- with no health insurance, so he can use all the help from his friends he can get.
Womanthology: $100k may go to help start a new comics imprint — UPDATED
Anytime someone comes into a big sum of money, people will start asking what they're going to do with it, whether it's go to Disneyland or start a publishing company.
So when WOMANTHOLOGY, the all-woman anthology started by artist Renae De Liz raised an unprecedented $109,000 on Kickstarter -- the biggest comics project ever and the 25th biggest project ever--it was inevitable that people would be asking a lot of questions. Especially since, as I learned myself, the contributors would not be paid. However, De Liz seems to have already answered most of the questions that have been raised.
Tokyopop’s Stu Levy is on Kickstarter for earthquake documentary
When last we saw former Tokyopop owner and publisher Stu Levy, he was in Japan, sleeping in a truck on his way to deliver food to the victims of the March 11th Tohoku earthquake and tsunami that left parts of the country devastated. At the same time that Toykopop was shutting down for good, Levy announced his intention to spend a year making a documentary about the disaster and the survivor's heroic efforts to help others through the tough times.
Well, now there's a trailer for this documentary and a Kickstarter page looking to raise $20,000 for post (color grading, etc) and marketing for the film, whose purpose he explains thusly:
SDCC11: CBLDF has t-shirts, posters, perfume, party, auction
The Beat endorses the CBLDF -- the freedom you save may be your own. Clothe yourself, smell good, bid on some great art and then hang out at one of the best parties Comic-Con has to offer.
Another creator in need: Don McGregor
Don McGregor is the writer of such Bronze Age classics as Black Panther and Killraven, and the first direct sales graphic novel, Sabre. Clifford Meth reports that family health emergencies have forced him to sell some of his art collection, including iconic pages from the above series:
Announcing: Womanthology
Artiest Renae De Liz (THE LAST UNICORN) is putting her energy where her mouth is and compiling WOMANTHOLOGY, an anthology of female creators, with a lineup that includes:
Bid on a giant piece of Molly Crabapple art!
It's to benefit the CBLDF -- a giant piece of art created by Molly Crabapple at Stumptown. Measuring 8 feet by 7 feet, you need a giant home to display it properly, but it will be a nice conversation starter:
