Marvel comics come to Kobo
Marvel collected editions are already available on iVerse, and some other digital platforms, and now, Kobo, the Canadian-based device that also offers apps for Mac, Android, and desktop. Marvel periodicals continues to be exclusive at Comixology and their own Marvel Unlimited All-you-can-ead service, but the GNs are everywhere.
What did we tell you about attempts to diversify digital distribution?
Housekeeping: The worst mouse of all time
Housekeeping: The Beat was down a bit over the weekend when my web host moved it to a faster, more up to date server. I also got one of those new fangled Time Warner modems that offers five times faster internet speed. So we're TURBO here!
At the same time, the mouse I've been using for about five years went belly up. The coffee spill that happened a few weeks ago may have contributed but the autopsy results aren't in yet. I immediately went to Staples and bought a $10 mouse as a stopgap, and upon getting it home it did not work. PERIOD. MELONFARMER. NEVER BUY CHEAP TECH. However, luckily later in the day I was walking by a pile of discarded computer equipment and was able to obtain a Mighty Mouse from the pile.
Lots of pushback on that $589,000 Tezuka Kickstarter from DMP
The other day we reported on DMP's new Kickstarter which hopes to publish some untranslated works by Osamu Tezuka but as a pretty hefty price: $360,000 to put out 20 books, and stretch goals that go all the way up to $589,000 for all 31 volumes. Understandably, a lot of manga observers have questioned this amount and the reward tiers— for instance, when this all started the lowest amount you could pledge to actually get a book was $150!
31 Days of Halloween: Sexy Ebola Cleanup Nurse is really Sexy Breaking Bad
If you've been hanging out on the internet this weekend you have have seen the above shocking "Sexy Ebola Nurse" costume going around on the Reddits and twits. Is it a real thing? Although we can't imagine some gallows humor experts won't wear Ebola-themed costumes this year, this particular costume is actually a repurposing of LAST year's top meme, Breaking Bad, as it began life as a sexy Walter White in the lab costume.
Review: ‘Action Philosophers’ is required reading
The duo of Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey have done it again in the 10th anniversary edition of their comic book series Action Philosophers. It's available in late October from Dark Horse in a beautiful hardcover one volume edition with new cover art. This smart and witty non-fiction graphic book is the introduction to philosophy that should be required reading. I wish it had been around when I struggled through some of these works!
The series originally published by Van Lente and Dunlavey under their company Evil Twin Comics began life as a single issue comic book about Frederick Niestche, he of the “God is Dead” philosophy. The comic book proved to be so popular that the guys developed a series that was eventually distributed by Diamond. For those of you unfamiliar with the industry that’s pretty impressive for an indie company. With support and appreciation from the industry the series won a Xeric Grant in 2004, was nominated twice for an Ignatz award and lauded by the American Library Association. For Evil Twin Comics they've also created Action Presidents and The Comic Book History of Comics.
31 days of Halloween: Constantine debuts tonight and here’s your guide
Yes, tonight is the night—the third of DC’s fall TV shows debuts on NBC at 10 pm EDT, Constantine starring Matt Ryan as the man,...
Secret Panel Launches Print Series based on Image’s ‘Revival’
by Zachary Clemente CHICAGO, IL – October 20, 2014 – New Chicago limited screen print society, Secret Panel, announced today that they are launching...
NYCC ’14 wrap-up: on the clearing of rooms and who’s bigger
I know there are a few panel wrap ups still coming down the pike here and there, but I wanted to essentially wrap up...
Marvel Month-to-Month Sales: September 2014: There’s life in that there death
by Jason Enright
September is always an interesting month because DC does its big line-wide event with crazy covers and Marvel has to find a way to compete. The answer this year was Death of Wolverine, which shipped two issues this month and landed the number 1 and number 2 spots. DC still won overall market share, but Marvel still managed to make a few headlines themselves and capture those top two spots. Beyond those books, there is a lot of standard attrition this month and a lot of books ramping up for AXIS which is likely to lead into several new series and rebooted series over the next few months. Below is a breakdown of some of this month’s stats which includes a rise in the number of $4.99 books, which is very interesting.
31 days of Halloween: Constantine debuts tonight and here’s your guide
Yes, tonight is the night—the third of DC's fall TV shows debuts on NBC at 10 pm EDT, Constantine starring Matt Ryan as the...
Secret Panel Launches Print Series based on Image’s ‘Revival’
by Zachary Clemente
CHICAGO, IL – October 20, 2014 – New Chicago limited screen print society, Secret Panel, announced today that they are launching their...
Riverdale: Drama series based on Archie being developed at Fox
We've had a lighthearted take on Archie in the wider media for a long time—from Sugar Sugar to Sabrina, but it's time to take a more serious look at the world of Riverdale. Greg Berlanti, the tv genius behind Arrow, The Flash and Supergirl, is developing a more serious take on the citizens of Riverdale, to be called...RIVERDALE:


















