Independent Opinions, News, and Reviews of Graphic Novels, Manga, and Comic Books
Kent Jones, “Comic Book Matrimonial Correspondent”, did a clip on Archie’s upcoming marriage on last night’s Rachel Maddow Show. I loved the way he used all those art samples to make his point that Betty’s the catch — because she can cook and fix cars! — while marrying Veronica would make Archie “a widely envied idiot”. (But both girls are called smart!) And the punchline rocks!
Read more
Archaia sent out a press release announcing that they would be resuming publishing in June. Also, “we are no longer called Archaia Studios Press or ASP. Please refer to us as simply Archaia or Archaia Comics from now on.” Here is part of the press release: “Our number one priority is to show our commitment to publishing by completing the great stories we have already begun to tell,” said Publisher Mark Smylie. In June, Archaia will release hardcovers of The […]
Read more
This summer, Archie #600 features Archie marrying Veronica in a storyline that looks at the gang after they graduate college. It’s written by Michael Uslan (producer of many superhero movies) and drawn by Stan Goldberg, who’s been drawing Archie for almost 40 years. Reportedly, this is only part 1 of a six-part storyline that will also show, in future issues, what would happen if Archie married Betty. Archie #600 is due out August 19. This sounds like an imaginary, “what […]
Read more
Wanna read a science fiction adventure webcomic, or just one with good art? Try Sean Wang’s Runners. There’s a new page every weekday. If you want to jump ahead to find out what happens, buy the graphic novel he’s reprinting online. Starting around September, once this serialization is complete, he’ll begin serializing the new color series The Big Snow Job.
Read more
It’s that time of year again. Due to the way they mail subscriptions, Archie Comics are required to file Statements of Ownership, Management, and Circulation in their publications. So I collect the figures to see how an often-overlooked comic franchise is doing. These are the Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation figures that Archie files with the government. The first number is the Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months; the second is No. Copies of Single Issue Published […]
Read more
The Nomination Ballot for this year’s Harvey Awards is now available. If you are a comic professional, download the ballot in either PDF or TXT format and email your choices to harveyballots@hotmail.com by Friday, March 27, 2009. Also announced was the Master of Ceremonies for the Harvey Awards dinner and ceremony: Scott Kurtz (PVP). Interesting selection, since in one of his recent podcasts, he and his Halfpixel buddies wind up cracking on how easy they think it is to game […]
Read moreAs Matt High points out, lost in the news of Diamond Comic Distributors raising its minimum order level for publishers was this little tidbit: For comic book periodicals and magazines, retailers can only order these books for 60 days after their initial release. After 60 days, Diamond locks down the code and does not accept any more reorders. This may not affect brokered publishers, i.e. DC or Marvel, but as the two publishers driving Diamond sales, they’re setting the rules […]
Read moreFollowing up the story on Diamond Comic Distributors raising its minimum order level: SLG Publisher Dan Vado shares his thoughts. [these changes] will have a chilling effect on the business as we know it. … most small press comics (and by that I mean floppies) do not meet that benchmark. I think if the average reader knew how lousy some of our sales were they would be stunned. … The number of people living hand-to-mouth in this business, from paycheck […]
Read more