Weekend Links

Before I get to the Links, I need to get around to mentioning a review book that came through last week. Digital Webbing sent a review copy of Sword of Dracula/Vampirella: Extended and Dangerous. Judging by the title alone, one might think it’s just a trashy read that tries to cash in on the little remaining currency of those characters. Talk about a surprise, then. This book was pretty darn good. It exists in a world of vampires and vampire hunters akin to Blade, with an apparent descendant of Van Helsing going after some rogue vampire. It’s mostly espionage and action, with quality writing and art, and even Vampirella comes across as more intriguing than kitschy. Good stuff all the way around.

Now, the links…

• Law.com takes a look at the substantial amount of intellectual property lawsuits that are ongoing in the comic book industry. Probably a good source of info for anyone getting into the comics creation business.

• The Manga Bible is, perhaps thankfully, a quick read. From the Cleveland Plain-Dealer: “‘The Manga Bible’ spends most of its time (136 pages) in the Old Testament, where the epic battles and colorful characters make for dramatic drawings. The Gospels span about 40 pages, while the mostly theological letters of the New Testament come and go in less than a dozen pages.”

• While we’re talking about comics and God (it is Sunday after all), I can’t forget Mecha Manga Bible Heroes. Can’t wait for that one on Nehemiah!

• A look at a new classic Wonder Woman collection of her stories during an “empowered” period, when she disavowed Amazons and became a “modern” secret agent, and then a reflection on the woman who brought that era to an end.

• Advertisers around the world are using comic books to sell their wares to kids and adults, which only makes me think “what’s old is new again.” All the same, I guess it’s always good to see money coming into the industry.

• In case you’re wondering, yes, I’m more than a little jealous of this fellow Atlantan who has an enormous downstairs den that’s designed specifically to hold his 30,000 comics. Wow.

• Comics, used to teach Black History at a grade school.

• Comics, used to honor Indian soldiers who fought against Pakistan.

• My friend Jim Doom over at Doomkopf always talks about how Brian Michael Bendis is especially good at having characters address the questions and concerns that readers come up with. In case he, or anyone else, is curious, that’s called hanging a lampshade (CBR).

• Speaking of my sort-of-coworkers at CBR, here’s the latest urban legend revealed, this one that Storm escaped a planned demise.

• Here’s a review of the recently reprinted Southern Cross, which some say predates the usual nominees for first graphic novel. It’s a wordless collection of woodcut images used to tell the story of atomic testing on a Pacific island.

That’s it for now. Hope everyone’s having a good weekend.