BY SAJIDA AYYUP
We’re starting to get suspicious about quarantine related entertainment that is blooming online but no complaints. Is the end in sight? Not yet. Do we see an updated list of things to do/experience during this phase of existence? Yes! And free comics? Oh yes! The Beat will be listing out some fun ways to keep yourself sane, and maybe help others do the same too!
Let’s go!
§ Studio Ghibli released some extremely adorable Zoom backgrounds, like scenes from Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro and Castle in the Sky. Check them out here!
§ New Comic Book Day might look like it’s a part of the oasis but thanks to the Twitterati, a pair of hashtags, #NTYTCBD or #New2UComicBookDay, are helping new readers catch up with some gems. Besides that, we have also been eyeing publishers and creators who have been releasing their comics online for free. Here’s a list of some of many you can read this week:
Marvel’s Avengers Vs. X-Men (2012)
Jose Esteban Cardenas’ Universe Protectors (Webtoons)
§ Mike Mignola, creator of Hellboy, started an auction of his sketches on eBay, the proceeds of which will go to World Central Kitchen that’s run by world renowned Chef Jose Andres
You can now bid on these original sketches on @eBay: https://t.co/OU9UjiNkMl
All proceeds will go to support @chefjoseandres's #WorldCentralKitchen: https://t.co/jbYEK6YqgE.#ChefsforAmerica #SpongeBob #spongebobsquarepants #Hellboy pic.twitter.com/CxWXpcFjLV
— Mike Mignola (@artofmmignola) April 24, 2020
§ Got some time during WFH lunch? Listen to a reading of one of Dark Horse’s The Legend of Korra graphic novels by Janet Varney (Korra) and Seychelle Gabrielle (Asami), OG voice actors from the Nickelodeon animated series
§ Book Industry Charitable Foundation (BINC) is taking creative Twitter by storm. Their #creators4comics campaign is to benefit comic book stores during this crisis. The initial wave of auctions ended last week, but people can still put things up for sale. Anybody can auction anything, so beware of fraudulent accounts!
You ran a #Creators4Comics auction. THANK YOU! What do you do next? More info here: https://t.co/F5tibP8J60 pic.twitter.com/NTkxUKENkF
— Creators 4 Comics (@Creators4Comics) April 20, 2020
§ Her’es a number of PDFs for free coloring books from NASA, The Little World of Liz Climo, 5 Worlds, Dirtybird, Vault Comics, The Ultimate Webcomic Friends, D&D and The Adventures of Starman.
§ Dungeons and Dragons’s The Forge of Fury is available as a free add-on until May 21st as a part of their “Stay at Home, Play at Home” initiative
§ Maryland’s Third Eye Comics store is shipping worldwide! They are also dropping off orders to those living in the vicinity. Do you live in Annapolis? Holla at them!
HOME DELIVERY! 10AM-5PM! CALL 410-897-0322 to order, or email [email protected]! #comics #comicbooks #comiccollector #comiccollectors pic.twitter.com/zHF5KEMYMT
— thirdeyecomics (@thirdeyecomics) April 20, 2020
If you’re into the whole ‘personal shopping’ experience, the team at Third Eye Comics is also scheduling one-to-one Zoom calls with customers while the team walks around the comic store. Isn’t this a fantastic way to relive those times when we could walk around aimlessly at a LCS? Email the folks! $5 shipping within the U.S.
§ The Kubert School in Dover, New Jersey has waived its application fee for the entire month of April! If you are a prospective sequential and/or narrative art student, this school will welcome you with warmth for their 2020/2021 school year. Head to their website and use code FALL2020 to get this offer!
§ TOKYOPOP is offering some of their well-known manga for free online as a part of their COVID-19 Community Free Manga Program
That’s it for this week! Check back later for updates!
