I love non-fiction comics, particularly those that manage to both educate and entertain. I thought Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey’s Action Presidents! books were an excellent example of that when I reviewed them in 2018. Next month, there will be even more of their humorous history to enjoy. The two existing books, covering George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, will be reissued in color, and two new Presidents, Theodore Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy, will join the series. I was […]

Marvel Comics seems to be streamlining their digital comic presence. They sent out an email notifying users that “the Marvel Digital Comics Shop at comicstore.marvel.com will be closing on June 2, 2020.” The associated help file has more detail: Digital comic purchases should be made through the Marvel Comics app for iOS or Android or through ComiXology.com. Basically, the Marvel website where you can buy and read online comics won’t be supported after this month. Also, preorders and series subscription […]

It’s the smart thing to do, but the San Diego Comic-Con, which was to be held this year July 23-26, has been officially cancelled. I’m not at all surprised, since California has locked down a lot of public gatherings and said that approach would continue through the summer. The ironic element is that this was the first year I was planning to go since — I don’t remember if it was 2003 or 2005 I last went. It’s been that […]

Next Saturday, April 18, First Second will be holding a virtual festival they’re calling Comics Relief. From 11 AM – 5 PM (ET), “this free virtual festival will give comics fans an in-depth look at the key moments in comic creation, and you’ll hear from many beloved graphic novel creators.” Guests include Lisa Brown (The Phantom Twin) Lucy Knisley (Go to Sleep (I Miss You)) Kat Leyh (Snapdragon) Ngozi Ukazu (Check, Please!: Sticks & Scones) Lily Williams & Karen Schneeman […]

Milton Griepp, who runs icv2.com, used to own Capital City Distribution, which was headquartered here in Madison, Wisconsin. Turns out that CCD was formed 40 years ago this month, and Milton has posted a brief reminiscence of the company’s history. (KC worked for CCD in customer service early on for a few years, by the way.) CCD was one of the biggest comic direct market (selling from publishers to comic stores) distributors, until DC’s decision to go exclusive with Diamond […]

In this time of trouble, it’s great to have more entertainment options. Dark Horse has made “more than 80 first issue comics, along with a handful of full graphic novels” available to read for free via their digital outlet. Best of all, they’re doing it without requiring a credit card or any obligation, just an email address. Offer good through April 30. There’s an extensive kids section, including Disney’s Frozen and Scary Godmother; a “Mignolaverse” grouping (featuring Hellboy); a horror […]

To help encourage and support people staying at home during this period of self quarantine, comic magazine publisher TwoMorrows has announced that they will provide a free digital copy of one of their magazines. Visit their webstore, and enter the redemption code “stayhome” during checkout. That provides a $4.99 credit, which should cover a digital edition. Or it can be used as credit towards a print purchase. (One use per customer, through March 31.) So stay home, stay well, and […]

With all that’s going on in the world, and the recommendation that people should avoid groups of more than 50 for the next eight weeks (which means through early May) to avoid infection, the question arose: what does that mean for Free Comic Book Day? Comics’ national holiday, scheduled for May 2 this year, often attracts crowds bigger than that, although not all at the same time. And it’s a big moneymaker for many shops, with sales and guest appearances […]