I haven’t picked up my comics in a couple weeks and I haven’t had time to read through some review copies sent my way (the life of a freelancer means little rest), so there’s a lot to catch up on. I haven’t even seen the conclusion to Messiah Complex yet. For the moment, enjoy this comics news in bite-sized tidbits…
- Here’s a pretty bleak look at the quantity of female comics creators courtesy of Yet Another Comics Blog. The Big Four publishers combine for a whopping eight women contributing as writers and artists. That’s pretty sad.
- Up at Comic Book Bin is a long post about the focus in the comics industry being so heavily on creativity that good business sense is lost by the wayside. A sample: “When I go to a comic book convention and look at the enthusiasts in attendance, I see lots of young hopefuls wishing to become the next great comic book penciler or the next great writer. A few times, some will discuss the jobs of editors and colorists. But very few ever claim to want to become comic book industry marketing professionals, business executives or any type of support function that requires the skill of so many talented individual to make sure a given comic book reaches a customer’s hand on time. All of the focus is on the creative ends of things.” I agree to an extent, but especially among some of the smaller presses like Archaia Studios Press and First Second, I’ve been very impressed by their business savvy. UPDATE: The post mentioned above is specifically about self publishing but does apply in part to publishing companies.
- Joe Quesada is going back on the Colbert Report on Comedy Central (it’ll appear on Jan. 29), I believe. Marvel says they might discuss the glaring lack of bears in comics. I’m sure comics readers the world over are salivating over the possibility of Colbert attacking the bizarre dissolution of Spider-Man’s marriage. For a story about Q’s last appearance, go here.
- Huh. A story about comics in the mainstream press that isn’t riddled with stereotypes and cliches, right here in the Fort Wayne (IN) Journal Gazette. The article is on a comics convention there, and it does have one troubling bit of news for those hoping kids give a crud about comics. “Most comic book fans will drive about 90 minutes to get to a convention, although Morton [the organizer] said not everyone in the room may be there willingly. ‘Most of the kids that come get dragged here,’ he said.”
- Here’s a good read about three buddies who would sit around at lunch, coming up with their own comics ideas, and how they ended up reforming their group as adults and creating their own comic.
- Mark Millar is returning to Wolverine with a futuristic story that includes Logan running into a “Spider-Bitch.” At least two people are none too happy with the plans for that character.
- In news that’s sure to set publishers’ hearts pumping, there are signs of strong Chinese interest in the graphic novel market. An interesting cultural note in the story explains why comics (manga) became so huge in Japan, while in China they didn’t gain anywhere near that level of attention. Apparently Chinese comics have a tradition of being propaganda, giving the medium a bit of a nasty image to the citizenry.
- Marvel just announced it will be teaming up with French publisher Soleil to release some of that company’s books over here in the US. Sounds like a pretty strange fit, but Marvel has made some inroads into the non-superhero region of popular culture with the Gunslinger series and literary adaptations with the Dabels. There’s very little online about Soleil, but you can get some background on one series, Sky Doll, at Wikipedia.
- I just happened upon The Legion Omnicom, yet another amazingly expansive Web site dedicated to the Legion of Superheroes. I still don’t understand why it is that Legion fans are so intensely passionate. It’s not that I don’t like the Legion or don’t think they’re worthy. It’s simply surprising that the Legion has better fans than many of the biggest-name superheroes.
- Preview pages of The Museum Vaults, a story of the Louvre’s vaults, are up at Vulture.
- Diamond just posted the top 100 graphic novels (in sales) from last year. The list is up over at The Beat. Nothing too surprising on the list.
- An art blog looks back at an amazing and unknown comics artist of yesteryear. (via Scott Dunbier)
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January 29, 2008 at 8:27 am
[...] [Commentary] Dave Karlen looks back at Frank Godwin’s 1950s rural adventure serial, Rusty Riley. (Link via Van Jensen.) [...]