Various publishers have smartly created digital comics to tie into popular movies or video games. In addition to providing obvious starting points (sometimes a huge problem for superheroes with decades of history and multiple titles), they also mean a better chance of getting a hit when someone is randomly typing in a search online. The problem with these comics is that they can’t really change anything or do anything significant with the character. They’re not “real” in the eyes of […]

Boom! Studios, trying to make the most of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer license, released the first issue of an Angel series. Only they did it in unusual fashion. They announced Angel #0 on April 9 for release April 17 as the beginning of a new monthly series. Since most comics in the direct market system are solicited at least two months before release, this one-week turnaround is pretty amazing. Stores are getting copies equal to their orders for Buffy […]

It’s spring, so it’s time for TCAF, the Toronto Comic Arts Festival, one of the high points of the comic convention season. One of the many things that makes this such a terrific show is that they incorporate mainstream comics, art works, independent releases, international input, and manga, covering the entire gamut of the medium. Their headlining guest this year is Junji Ito, making his first North American appearance. Ito is an acclaimed creator of horror manga, including Uzumaki and […]

Ron Marz has reported on Twitter that CrossGen founder Mark Alessi passed away yesterday. It seems the news is starting to circulate, so I feel some mention is appropriate. Mark Alessi, who founded and ran CrossGen Comics, apparently passed away this morning. I know no details. 1/ — Ron Marz (@ronmarz) March 30, 2019 CrossGen published comics from 2000-2004, when they went bankrupt. Marz wrote their titles Scion (fantasy adventure about a guy with a sword), Mystic (scantily clad sorceress), […]

I was looking forward to the rumored hardcover collection of Legion of Super-Heroes: Five Years Later. I have quite a fondness for that run, since it changed my life. Unfortunately, it now appears to have been cancelled, as seen on Facebook. There were a number of announced DC collections cancelled as well, including the Electric Warriors trade, The Joker: Lovers and Madmen, a new edition of Absolute Dark Knight, the third book of Peter David’s Aquaman run, and Flash/Impulse: Runs […]

To go along with their non-fiction graphic novel lines Science Comics and Maker Comics, First Second has announced at EW.com a new imprint, World Citizen Comics. They aim to excite and inform readers about how they can fight corruption in elections, blast fake news with truth-telling, and even battle would-be dictators both near and far through a better understanding of constitutions and the rule of law. They plan to release seven books beginning in 2020, focusing on civic involvement and […]

At the end of 2017, I reported on a lawsuit, in which the owner of Dr. Seuss properties sued website ComicMix over a proposed mash-up book called Oh, the Places You’ll Boldly Go!, a Star Trek adventure drawn and told in the style of a Dr. Seuss book. They were alleging trademark infringement (claims were dismissed) and copyright violation. Now comes news that the ComicMix folks have won on fair use grounds! District Judge Janis L. Sammartino reaffirmed her earlier […]

IDW continues to struggle with leadership. CEO and founder Ted Adams was replaced last summer by Kerry McCluggage, a TV executive. Now he’s left after 7 months. The new CEO of parent company IDW Media Holdings is Howard Jonas, Chairman (and the company’s biggest stockholder). The company is also losing a lot of money, most out of its entertainment division. ICv2 has analyzed the company’s delayed fiscal year report for 2018. They lost 36 million dollars last year. Jonas previously […]