Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Whats new at Game On Comics this week

Some nice "inside comics" information about sales figures included in here.

Game On! Comics Weekly Digest	Come Visit Us! January 15th, 2013

In this issue

:: New Titles this Week

:: Game Nights

Dear Mike,

Welcome to Game On! Comics

All Back Issues only $2 for the entire month of January!!

Spidey tops 1.6 million!

Marvel sold over $1.6 million retail worth ofAmazing Spider-Man #700 to comic stores in December, the top dollar comic in recent memory. Sell-in of over 200,000 copies was supported by an extensive variant program, including numerous "exceed orders," 1:200, and 1:700 variants, and at a $7.99 retail price, the dollars piled up fast. Extensive publicity about the storyline helped make this a major event book. The lead-in book, #699, appears to have unfilled demand; #698 sold more than #699 (both #698 and #699 have second printings already released).
Marvel also had a big hit with Avengers #1 at over 186,000 copies, but the scale of the dollars wasn't even close, with less than half the dollars of the #1 book.

The books in DC's "Death of a Family" event were up and down:Batman, for example, was down around 5%, but all of the tie-in titles saw some pretty substantial bumps-- Detective Comics #15 (+31,835), Batman and Robin (+14,335), Batgirl #15 (+2127),Nightwing #15 (+23,687), Teen Titans #15 (+28,962), and Red Hood and the Outlaws #15 (+26,393). Also of note, DC's Justice League (Part 1 of the "Throne of Atlantis" storyline crossing over with Aquaman) saw an uptick of 2% while Aquaman #15 saw orders increase over 30%.

The Walking Dead Vol. 1 mustered nearly 10,000 sales out of the direct market in December, with gifts of the first volume a great sign for the future of the franchise.

Don't forget to sign up for a free Comixology account!

Game On! Comics is now working with Comixology! What does this mean for you?

You can manage your subscription list online. You can add or delete comics from your Game On! subscription list either at Comixology or by simply sending us an email.
Our store will get credit any time you buy digital comics online

How do you sign up? It's free and easy.

Click here to create your account and create your sub list:

Create your Pull List

First create an account, then click on the Store Locator, type in our zip code 22180, and choose Game On! Comics as "your store".

How to sign up for the store to get credit for digital comic purchases? Simply buy comics from our digital Comixology store front page: Game On! Comics digital Store Front

Game On! Comics Loyalty Members:

Please remember that while we will hold comics for you every week and give you the discounts/perks, we do ask that you pick up your comics at least once per month. Please help us out by coming in at least once per month or by communicating with us about any delays Thanks!!

New Comic Book titles this week 1-15-13

Best Discounts in the area--Not just a slogan, we really do have the best price discounts when you become a Game On! Comics Loyalty Member! Details here: Loyalty Membership

Savage Wolverine #1

A MUST READ THIS WEEK!

All New X-Men #6

Ame Comi Girls (Featuring Power Girl) #4

Archer & Armstrong #6

Avengers Assemble #11

Avenging Spider-Man #16

Batgirl #16

Batman #16

Batman And Robin #16

Batman: Arkham Unhinged #10

Billy Kids Oddities & Orm Loch Ness #4 (L)

Bionic Man (Kevin Smith) #15

Bionic Man Vs Bionic Woman #1

Black Beetle: No Way Out #1

Black Kiss II #6 (L)

Bloodshot #7

Caligula Heart Of Rome #2

Captain America #3

Captain Marvel #9

Comeback #3

Conan The Barbarian #12

Creator Owned Heroes #8

Crossed Badlands #21

Crow: Skinning The Wolves #2

Daredevil #22

Dark Avengers #185

Dark Shadows #12

Deathstroke #16

Demon Knights #16

Elephantmen #45

Ex Sanguine #4

Executive Assistant Assassins #7

Fashion Beast #5

Ferals #12

Fly Vol II #4

Frankenstein: Agent Of Shade #16 (L)

Freelancers #3

G.I. Joe Vol 2 #21

Garth Ennis Jennifer Blood #21 (Mr)

Green Hornet: Year One Special #1

Grifter #16 (L)

Grimm Fairy Tales #81

High Ways #1

Indestructible Hulk #3

Insurgent #1

Legion Lost #16 (L)

Li'l Depressed Boy #15

Lord Of The Jungle #11

Mars Attacks Real Ghostbusters 1-Shot

New Avengers #2

Pathfinder #4

Peter Cannon Thunderbolt #5

Punisher Nightmare #3

Ravagers #8

Saga #7 2nd Ptg

Saga #9

Savage Wolverine #1

Stitched #11

Suicide Squad #16

Superboy #16

Team 7 #4

Thor (Marvel Movie) Adaptation #1

Threshold #1

Todd, The Ugliest Kid On Earth #1

Ultimate Comics Iron Man #4 (L)

Venom #30

Warlord Of Mars: Dejah Thoris #21

Wolverine Max #3

X-Factor #250

X-Men #40

ALL AGES COMICS AND MAGAZINES

Green Lantern The Animated Series #10

Marvel Super Heroes Magazine #6

Simpsons Comics #198

COLLECTIONS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS

Captain America By Brubaker HC Vol 4

Fables TP Vol 18: Cubs In Toyland

Game Nights

Sunday Nights, 5pm-9pm

D and D

Wednesday Nights 7-11pm

Magic the Gathering

Casual Play and booster Draft.

Sunday Afternoons, 12:30pm

kaijudo logo

Come check out Kaijudo on its new day, Sundays!!

Brand new card based game by the makers of Magic the Gathering. Geared to be a little easier than MTG. Want to try it out? Come on Sundays, weekly demos.

Friday Night, 7pm

Booster Draft Tournament--$15

Return to Ravnica!

Win promo cards and boosters from Ravnica!

Saturdays 4-7pm

Heroclix--Batman
Batman Heroclix set

Heroclix at Game On! Comics Saturday, January 19th, at 4 p,m, Gang Warfare! Build a 500 point Modern Age force with representation from the Batman and/or Streets of Gotham sets, bring your best Mastermind/Minions team (Batman and Batman Family, Joker and Joker Henchmen, et al). No Colossals, no Feats or BFC's; Vehicles are okay, special objects are okay including the Infinity Gauntlet and Utility Belt.

Each week adds cumulative points for another territory, Join your Gang and compete to claim it!
Lord of the Rings/Hobbit, Gears of War, and HALO figures can be used for this event but without the special rules that accompany them. Prize support from other venues which has not been given out yet at Game On! Comics is not eligible for play. For our venue, Modern Age is defined as anything from the Secret Invasion set forwards unless otherwise specified. Using Unicorns, Polar Bears, or Dinosaurs as objects is not required but is encouraged.

Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and Fellowship!

Congrats to last weeks winners:

1st: Mike H.

2nd: Francisco and Alex A.

Fellowship: George

Batman Gang won the day!! Yeah!!

Comic Review

Black Beetle #1

black beetle

The Black Beetle is a comic book character created by Eisner Award-winning artist Francesco Francavilla. The character has been appearing on Francavilla's blog and in the anthology series,Dark Horse Presents. The Black Beetle has more than a passing resemblance to DC Comics' Batman because they share conceptual DNA.

The Black Beetle blends the aesthetics of pulp fiction, mystery, noir, and the superhero. The character is not only part superhero, but he is also a costumed vigilante and weird detective in the vein of such classic pulp heroes as The Shadow and The Spider, with some of Zorro and Sherlock Holmes thrown into the mix. Black Beetle is a super-heroic sleuth, and his base of operation isColt City, a classic pulp and noir-type urban landscape. Black Beetle debuts in his own comic book series, entitled The Black Beetle.

As The Black Beetle #1 begins, the Black Beetle is about to make himself an uninvited guest in a meeting of two crime families, the Galazzos and the Fierros. In this summit, which will determine the future of Colt City's criminal empire, Black Beetle sees an opportunity to take out two major crime bosses, Don Pasquale Galazzo and Joe Fierro. When the hero makes his move at Spencer's, the neutral sight where this crime conference is being held, he discovers that he is not the only hunter.

The Black Beetle: No Way Out #1 is clean comic book storytelling. This is classic, two-fisted, masked-man comic book action. It's gritty and pure, lacking in pretension or the goal to be the soap opera version of character drama that most superhero comic books offer. This is the kind of pulpy mayhem that first made me fall in love with comic books.

I don't think that I can adequately describe just how gorgeous Francesco Francavilla's art is. Some of the pages use a standard comic book page layout, but most of them are more imaginative and inventive. Some pages resemble movie posters and movie theatre lobby cards; others are similar to narrative paintings. Some pages are designed as splash pages, but with details and assorted art embedded on them.

The Black Beetle is pure pop comics. Between the new Stars Wars series and The Black Beetle, Dark Horse Comics is doing their own version of Marvel NOW and The New 52. Dark Horse is just doing a better job of making classic seem so fresh.

$3.99

Review by Leroy Douresseaux

Thank you so much for your support of our new comic and game shop. We look forward to taking care of all of your comic and game needs.

Don't forget to go on yelp.com and write a review about us too!!

Please tell your comic/game friends about our shop, we would appreciate their business.

Please visit our Facebook page and "Like" us!!

Please tell your friends about us, we would love their business!

Dave, J.R., and Louis
Game On! Comics

www.GameOnComics.com

703-242-3838

info@gameoncomics.com

Off

Lots of discounts in our new SALE SECTION!!

Can not be used in conjuction with any other discount.

Offer Expires: 08/09/12

Game On! Comics | 310 Dominion Rd. NE | Vienna | VA | 22180

Another Brad Meltzer interview on mysterious medical museums

Brad Meltzer Hunts "The Fifth Assassin"
Kiel Phegley,
Comic Book Resources January 15 2013
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=43191

Brad Meltzer's new book

Brad Meltzer wrote Justice League and Green Arrow and is glad to sign them both. He'll be at Politics and Prose on Jan. 16th and Mclean's Barnes & Noble on the 17th. Here's an article about his new book (and some of you may know the "government employee" who's not the President):

Brad Meltzer's new thriller gets Oval Office insight

Mon, Jan 14 2013

By Kurt Anthony Krug

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/14/entertainment-us-books-bradmeltzer-idUSBRE90D15P20130114

and some straight PR from: Brad Meltzer's wife

Here we are: the big day when Brad's new novel, The Fifth Assassin, is finally out. It's a thriller about a serial killer who's meticulously recreating the crimes of all the Presidential assassins, from John Wilkes Booth to Lee Harvey Oswald. And yes, as always, it's filled with obscure and amazing real details from history (you know Brad's obsessive about that).

To buy The Fifth Assassin, you can go here:
http://bradmeltzer.com/book/the-fifth-assassin/buy-the-fifth-assassin/

To see if Brad will be coming to you on book tour (and yes, this time he has decoder rings with him. I mean it.) go here:
http://bradmeltzer.com/appearances/

Otherwise, for those in the NY area tonight, Brad (with the help of John Hodgman) is trying to break the Guinness Book World Record for "most decoder rings in one place," so please bring friends. :-)

This has been a wild roller coaster of a year for Brad (up and down), so if you go see him on tour, give him a hug from here.

Thank you so much for all you've done for us -- personally and professionally. For those who really know Brad, he never forgets it.

Always,

- Cori

Monday, January 14, 2013

Donkeys and Elephants: A Celebration of American Political Cartoons exhibit is open

Donkeys and Elephants: A Celebration of American Political Cartoons

January 4 - January 26, 2013

Studio Gallery Hours:
Wednesday - Friday, 1 - 7pm
Saturday, 1 - 6pm

Directions To The Gallery

2108 R Street N.W. Washington, DC 20008 | info@studiogallerydc.com | 202.232.8734

Jan 29: WETA shows Pioneers of Television: Superheroes

Pioneers of Television

Starting tomorrow night, tune into WETA Television for new episodes of Pioneers of Television, the Emmy-nominated series that reveals intriguing behind-the-scenes stories and fascinating facts about your favorite old television shows.

Each episode melds new interviews with iconic clips and never-before-seen photos to offer an insider's look at television's biggest celebrities. Ryan Seacrest hosts the new programs. This week's installment, Funny Ladies, spotlights the first standup comediennes and the sitcom stars that followed. Future episodes include Primetime Soaps (January 22), Superheroes (January 29) and Miniseries (February 5). Don't miss these great programs!

Pioneers of Television airs Tuesdays, January 15 - February 5 at 8:00pm on WETA Television.

Comic Riffs features Google computer animator

New Doodle4Google student contest announced: Team artist Mike Dutton spotlights the vital role of teachers
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog January 14 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/new-doodle4google-student-contest-announced-team-artist-mike-dutton-spotlights-the-vital-role-of-teachers/2013/01/14/cee8242a-5e7b-11e2-90a0-73c8343c6d61_blog.html#pagebreak

Kal's Kickstarter is officially Kicking!

The New Kal Kickstarter campaign has just launched. You can find a link here:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/328741204/retrospective-collection-of-kal-cartoons-from-the?ref=email

Fans and supporters can pre-order copies of the book, buy prints of cartoons and covers from the magazine, plus purchase one of a kind original cartoons and covers. Plus there are special rewards for those who want to join the KAL team including a book launch party at Boordy Vineyards in April.

Any support the local cartoon community can offer would be great. But perhaps the best thing supporters can do to help is spread the word. Forward the link (above) to all their contacts, friends and colleagues. The more money we raise the better quality the book will be.

Thanks very much for hearing me out!

Best

Kal

Kevin Kallaugher

daggersdrawnbykal@gmail.com

Join Kal's Kickstarter campaign!

Daggers Drawn: 35 Years of KAL Cartoons in The Economist

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/328741204/retrospective-collection-of-kal-cartoons-from-the

Sunday, January 13, 2013

2011 Chris Flick interview

I just ran across this...

Chris Flick: It's Capes & Babes time!
by David Hurley
September 15, 2011
http://www.dontpicktheflowers.com/blog/?p=2042

That darn Beetle Bailey

Letter to the Editor: Nothing funny in 'Beetle Bailey'
Lee Ann Candon, Edgewater
Washington Post January 12 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/nothing-funny-in-beetle-bailey/2013/01/11/42eac4a6-59b1-11e2-b8b2-0d18a64c8dfa_story.html

Friday, January 11, 2013

'Barefoot Gen' obituary in The Post

As far as I can tell, this hasn't appeared in print yet:

Keiji Nakazawa, comic book artist who cast unflinching eye on Hiroshima bomb, dies
By Terence McArdle,
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/keiji-nakazawa-comic-book-artist-who-cast-unflinching-eye-on-hiroshima-bomb-dies/2013/01/10/9fa6faa0-5a85-11e2-9fa9-5fbdc9530eb9_story.html

Ben Claassen wants to draw your New Year's Resolution

Ben Claassen wants to draw your New Year's Resolution. He says, "Send me your New Year's Resolution! I will illustrate it & will send you the original art!" See the bottom of the cartoon for more details.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Comic Riffs on animation nominations

2013 OSCARS NOMINATIONS: Brenda Chapman, Pixar's first woman director, 'overwhelmed and humbled' by 'bittersweet' nod for 'Brave'
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog January 10 2013

Local collector Mark Zaid picks up another job

Certified Guaranty Company (CGC®) Hires Mark S. Zaid, Esq.

SARASOTA, Florida (January 9, 2013) - The Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®), an independent member of the Certified Collectibles Group (CCG®) of companies, has hired Mark S. Zaid, P.C. as a consultant and outside counsel.

Mark will be auditing and analyzing various aspects of CGC's and CCG's operations, particularly in order to help shape the integration of CCG's newest member company, Classics Incorporated, the world's premier comic book restoration removal and pressing company. In the near future, Classics Incorporated will be renamed Classic Collectibles Services. One of Mark's tasks will be to ensure that the integration of a pressing service with a grading business will not impact the professionalism and ethics of CGC's process. "By retaining Mark as both counsel and consumer advocate, CGC is being proactive in striving to give our customers both a voice within CGC and ensure industry best practices. In turn, this move will make CGC a better, stronger company," comments Steve Eichenbaum, CCG CEO. "As always, CGC is dedicated to support and do what's best for the hobby," added Steve.

Mark is a well-known Washington, D.C. national security attorney and the owner of EsquireComics.com. He is very involved in the vintage side of comic collecting, has been an Advisor to the Overstreet Comic Book Grading and Price Guides since 2006 and was co-founder of the Comic Book Collecting Association, www.comiccollecting.org, of which Steve Eichenbaum serves on the Board of Advisors. Mark also lectures internationally on the history and social aspects of comic books.

Mark stated, "I am very pleased to have been asked to play this role for CGC and help ensure the company maintains the highest level of integrity, professionalism and ethics. There is no doubt that the stronger CGC is the better it is for the comic book community. The two are now inseparable." In order to avoid any conflict of interest, Mark's CGC Member Dealer account will be frozen during the time Mark is under contract with CGC, and he will forgo submitting any books for grading other than through third-party anonymity. Individuals can contact Mark with any concerns regarding ethics, conflicts of interest or perception of improprieties involving CGC at Mark@MarkZaid.com.

Jan 16: Comic book & thriller writer Brad Meltzer at Politics & Prose

Why should you care? On his website, Meltzer writes:

In this case, it began with a government employee who told me that I needed to come to a secret museum that almost no one knew about. Naturally, I was suspicious, so I asked him what they had at this so-called museum. Then he told me: We have pieces of Abraham Lincoln's skull, the bullet that killed him, and even the bones of John Wilkes Booth, if you want to see them.

I take issue with the 'so-called' and 'secret' - the Medical Museum's been open to visitors since the 1860s.

Brad Meltzer - The Fifth Assassin

Start: Jan 16 2013 7:00 pm

End: Jan 16 2013 8:00 pm

Meltzer's latest D.C. thriller features Beecher White, hero of The Inner Circle, as he untangles a plot to kill the president—a plot that goes back to the very first presidential assassination. Researching the four successful attempts on the lives of chief executives, White discovers a long-running conspiracy.

The Fifth Assassin (Hardcover)

By Brad Meltzer

$27.99

ISBN-13: 9780446553971
Availability: Coming Soon - Available for Pre-Order Now
Published: Grand Central Publishing, 1/2013

District Comics on The Post's best books list

District Comics is on The Post's Best Books About Washington list.

Bill Day's 'Fund a political cartoonist for a year' needs you

As I've noted, Bill won the Washington-based Robert Kennedy Journalism award a couple of years back, and I've contributed to this campaign.

Our fundraising campaign to pay a salary to brilliant, unemployed cartoonist Bill Day is now in its final stretch. With only 16 days left in our campaign, we really need your help to get to the goal of a $35,000 for Bill, to keep him drawing cartoons and avoid foreclosure on his house! Bill is an important cartoonist, we can't afford to lose him! Please help!

Bill filmed a short video of his own, where he talked a bit about the history of political cartoons and their importance in the growth of our society. It would be a shame to lose Bill's unique voice in our increasing homogenized media environment.

I've been struck by some of the heartwarming comments posted by people who have already donated to Bill's campaign. "Bill Day is a brilliant political voice and I hope others will join in to keep that voice heard," a donor named Gerald wrote.

Another donor named Jean commented, "Support Bill Day – he is a national treasure! He helps us see into the heart of things in a way no one else does." I couldn't agree more.

For everyone that already donated – thank you! Please share this campaign again with your friends, co-workers, enemies – anyone you can think of!

Not only would you be helping to keep our dwindling profession alive, there are some really great perks still available for donors – everything from signed prints of Bill's work to an actual original piece of Bill Day artwork, suitable for framing.

And thank you all for your generosity and commitment to political cartoons!

- Daryl
(Video attached: We still have $5,000 to go to save Bill Day! )

Wednesday, January 09, 2013

Steve Brodner illustrates 2012

There's only 1 image online but Steve Brodner illustrated Dave Barry's 2012 Year in Review in the magazine section of the Post on December 30th.

The Post reviews Bagge.

This hasn't appeared in print yet.

Book World: 'Reset,' by Peter Bagge
By Douglas Wolk,
Washington Post January 8 2013?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/book-world-reset-by-peter-bagge/2013/01/08/6051eb94-55d0-11e2-8b9e-dd8773594efc_story.html

We're #19! Or #12! Or #17!

We're #19! or #12! or #17! - depending on where you live in the area. DC Comics solicited an issue of Justice League with 52 different state (or district or territory) flags on the cover and the pre-orders are in.

DC is #19 on the list, Virginia #12 and Maryland #17.

Tuesday, January 08, 2013

Jan 16: Frank Cho appearance for new Wolverine comic

Savage Wolverine #1 Release Party with Frank Cho at Cards, Comics & Collectibles

From the Store that Brings You the Baltimore Comic-Con...

REISTERSTOWN, MD - January 7, 2013 - Cards, Comics & Collectibles, the official retailer and news source for the Baltimore Comic-Con, is happy to announce that superstar artist Frank Cho will be signing in-store on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 from 4:00 - 7:30 for their Savage Wolverine #1 Release Party.

Savage Wolverine, which is being written and drawn by Cho as a part of the Savage Wolverine #1 Marvel NOW! initiative, is an all-out adventure story which finds the title character awaking on the shores of a mysterious and dangerous island off the coast of the Savage Land.

Cho's body of work at Marvel includes such titles as New Avengers, Mighty Avengers, Shanna the She-Devil, New Ultimates, X-Men: Schism, and Avengers vs. X-Men. He is also well-known for his creator-owned series, Liberty Meadows and his work on Jungle Girl for Dynamite Entertainment.

"We couldn't be happier to have Frank in the store to celebrate the release of Savage Wolverine #1," said Marc Nathan, owner of Cards, Comics & Collectibles and show promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con. "Frank is a long-time friend of both the store and the Baltimore show and every time he signs here, it's a big treat for all of our customers!"

Everyone in attendance will receive a free Liberty Meadows 2013 calendar. In addition, one lucky customer will walk away with an original sketch on the blank cover variant of Wolverine #300 by Frank! Refreshments will be served all day, and other surprises will take place throughout the evening.

Cards, Comics & Collectibles is located at 100A Chartley Drive, Reisterstown, MD. For more information, please visit cardscomicscollectibles.com, our Facebook page, or call 410-526-7410.

Kids Post on the New Fantasyland

Tales as old as time get new scenery: The New Fantasland makes it easier for kids to meet Disney royalty [online title: Meet Ariel and Belle at Disney World's New Fantasyland].

By Becky Krystal,

Washington Post January 8 2013: C10.

online at

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/meet-ariel-and-belle-at-disney-worlds-new-fantasyland/2013/01/07/2d881d04-536a-11e2-bf3e-76c0a789346f_story.html

Monday, January 07, 2013

Truitt on Star Wars

The Force stays strong for 'Star Wars' on page, screen
Brian Truitt,
USA TODAY January 7, 2013
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/01/06/star-wars-in-comics-books-and-tv/1805347/

Sunday, January 06, 2013

Marvel Comics & Williams-Sonoma - together again & on sale!

These pictures were taken last night at the Williams-Sonoma kitchen store in Clarendon in Arlington. You can get a lot of baking equipment to make your Marvel Comics characters, and it's on sale! And so are the Iron Man, Captain America and Hulk spatulas - I got Iron Man! $3.99!

Photos courtesy of Claire Rhode.

Schoolhouse Rock anniversary today at Kennedy Center

'Schoolhouse Rock!' 40th Anniversary Sing-along
Where: Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, 2700 F St. NW
When: 6 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; 800-444-1324; http://kennedy-center.org

Articles on it are:

When 'Rock' schooled us: A capital 40th: Cartoon lessons will come to life with songwriter at singalong [online as 'Schoolhouse Rock' gets a singalong salute for its 40th anniversary]
By Monica Hesse,
Washington Post January 5 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/schoolhouse-rock-at-40/2013/01/04/0679e738-5699-11e2-a613-ec8d394535c6_story.html

'Schoolhouse Rock!' ready to ring in 40 years
Emily Cary
The Washington Examiner January 6, 2013
http://washingtonexaminer.com/article/2517578#.UOmVnncS-sd

Saturday, January 05, 2013

Bethesda Magazine article on Big Planet Comics

The January issue of Bethesda Magazine has a giant article on Big Planet Comics. It's not online, but here's a teaser image.

Friday, January 04, 2013

SPX gives $10K to Comic Book Legal Defense Fund

SPX Contributes $10,000 To CBLDF, Raising A Total of $25,000 For Free Speech!
By Charles Brownstein
January 2, 2013

Jan 5: Jonathan Luna at 3rd Eye Comics

THIS SATURDAY 1/5/13

SIGNING FROM 11AM to 1PM

First 15 in Line Receive a Special Limited Edition Bookplate Produced For this Event

Welcome to 2013, Third Eye!

We're kicking the NEW YEAR off with one of our most anticipated signings, featuring special guest JONATHAN LUNA, co-creator of IMAGE favorites like THE SWORD, GIRLS, and ULTRA.

Jonathan has decided to make us the final stop on his signing tour for his new IMAGE graphic novel, STAR BRIGHT AND THE LOOKING GLASS.

We've been big fans of Luna for a long-time, and his work on stuff like THE SWORD (imagine a gorgeous, ultra-violent comic that reads like KILL BILL meets HIGHLANDER), and GIRLS (picture NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD but instead of zombies, it's legions of beautiful women), has kept us hooked.

His newest project, STAR BRIGHT AND THE LOOKING GLASS, is a stunning new graphic novel that is a MUST-READ for fans of FABLES, MOUSE GUARD, STUFF OF LEGEND, and so on. It's a fantastic all-ages, modern fantasy that really delivers the kind of compelling storytelling, and unique approach that Luna is known for.

He decided to make us his final stop on the tour, and folks, lets help him bring his signing tour to a great conclusion!

What is STAR BRIGHT & THE LOOKING GLASS?

STAR BRIGHT AND THE LOOKING GLASS is a stunning, modern fantasy tale that will grab a hold of you and not let go. This gorgeous graphic novel is a must for fans of series like FABLES, MOUSE GUARD, STUFF OF LEGEND, FINDING GOSSAMYR, and more.

When STAR BRIGHT, a forest maiden, encounters an evil sorceress who steals her beauty, she must embark on a dangerous journey to retrieve it.

This stunning 9x12" graphic novel is not just a compelling story, but it's a gorgeous book. It looks like a giant storybook, with a fantastic embossed cover, and heavy paper stock for the pages.

Luna brings his unique ability for bringing new ideas to classic genres, like seen in THE SWORD, and GIRLS, to the classic fairytale set-up, and it really is an incredible read.

Folks, you know we're big on only bringing some of the best in for signings, and trust us: Luna has a real classic-in-the-making with STAR BRIGHT here. Don't miss your chance to get this gorgeous graphic novel signed.

OTHER WORKS BY JONATHAN LUNA

THE SWORD

THE SWORD may be our favorite of Luna's projects, now complete (running a total of 4 trade paperbacks worth), with it's ultra-violent visuals, and it's modern spin on classic mythology.

This series reads a lot like KILL BILL by way of HIGHLANDER, as it showcases a young girl who finds out her father is really a centuries-old keeper of a mystical Sword that has the ability to lend immortality, heal the sick, and most importantly: kill demigods.

Now, a powerful trio of beings who are the original children of a higher power, are hot on the trail of the item that can kill them.

But, with her family slaughtered, and nothing left, our young heroine has one desire: REVENGE. She's going to hunt these beings down before they find her, and she's going to kill each and every one of them.

Visually, and story-wise: this book is stunning. We highly recommend snagging a copy of the first trade paperback, THE SWORD VOL.1 FIRE this Saturday and having Jonathan sign it for you. You won't be sorry. One of our all-time favorites!

OTHER PROJECTS BY JONATHAN LUNA

GIRLS

Another of our favorites by Jonathan is the survival horror / sci-fi series GIRLS, which ran for four trade paperbacks worth as well. This incredibly well-written, and gorgeously illustrated maxiseries delivered one of the coolest takes we've seen on survival horror... ever.

Imagine NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, but with beautiful women instead of zombies, raiding the town.

In GIRLS, Ethan Daniels is your typical bachelor, until one night he picks up a beautiful woman who's seemingly lost on the side of the road. She makes a pass at him, and well, the next morning, there's 10 more women who look identical to her hatching out of giant eggs in Ethan's bathroom.

From there, these women attempt to murder every human woman in the town, all the while trying to convince the men of the town to help them keep the cycle going.

And, from there, things get really interesting as paranoia divides the men and women of the town into two groups, and all hell breaks loose, while the military makes it's way to the town.

Another great read from Jonathan and his brother Joshua, make sure you give this one a look at the signing as well!

OTHER PROJECTS BY JONATHAN LUNA

ULTRA

And, here's the series that first turned us onto Jonathan Luna and his brother Joshua Luna. Folks, ULTRA is one of the slickest, most kick-ass takes we've seen on super heroines. It's so well-written, so well put together, and so damn entertaining, it's ridiculous.

This stand-alone trade paperback, collects all 248+ pages of ULTRA, which is the tale of Pearl Penalosa aka ULTRA. Pearl's a workaholic, she's earned a legion of loyal fans, a great career, and a perfect life as one of the premiere superheroes in Spring City.

But the line between law enforcement and celebrity blurs a bit too much here, and a chance encounter with a mysterious fortune-teller opens her world to new, and unusual possibilities.

Great dialogue, great storytelling, a must for fans of stuff like POWERS, THE BOYS, IRREDEEMABLE, etc. You'll love this book.

BE ONE OF THE FIRST 15 IN LINE FOR OUR SIGNING WITH JONATHAN LUNA AND RECEIVE A FREE STAR BRIGHT & THE LOOKING GLASS BOOK PLATE CREATED ONLY FOR THIS EVENT & LIMITED TO JUST 15!

We're really excited about the giveaway we've got for the signing this Saturday. Jonathan put together 15 bookplates custom for our signing with him, each one signed and numbered by Luna, which we'll be giving to those of you who're among the first 15 lined up for the signing.

These are well-crafted, gorgeous bookplates, and a really a cool, one-of-a-kind giveaway. Very rad. Make sure you get here early to grab your's!

Click here for the FACEBOOK event info!

Okay, Third Eye Faithful, we wanna start the new year with a bang, and you know you guys are what helps keep us pumped about doing these awesome events!

We cannot wait to begin announcing some of the stuff we've got planned for Spring!

Please make a trip out to see us this Saturday, so we can make this THE best stop on Jonathan's STAR BRIGHT tour. :) We're totally stoked to get to share this great event with you.

Comic Riffs on webcomics awards

NCS changes award rules to increase recognition of excellent webcomics
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog January 4 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/ncs-changes-award-rules-to-increase-recognition-of-excellent-webcomics/2013/01/04/18aae298-5628-11e2-a613-ec8d394535c6_blog.html#pagebreak

Chinese political cartoonist Kuang Biao locked off web, reports The Post

Chinese Political cartoonist Kuang Biao has been locked off web, reports The Post.

China's 'weibo' accounts shuttered as part of Internet crackdown [in print as Chinese activists' microblogging accounts are shut down, p. A7]

By Keith B. Richburg,

Washington Post January 4, 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/chinas-weibo-accounts-shuttered-as-part-of-internet-crackdown/2013/01/03/f9fd92c4-559a-11e2-89de-76c1c54b1418_story.html

This blog has samples of his cartoons -

The political cartoons that maybe got their artist shut down on Chinese social media

Posted by Max Fisher

Washington Post's WorldViews blog January 3, 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/01/03/the-political-cartoons-that-maybe-got-their-artist-shut-down-on-chinese-social-media/

Disney cartoon featuring Tim Gunn in today's Examiner

From 'Runway' to royalty: Gunn expands his mentoring to Disney. [Sofia the First animation]

Samantha Critchell / Associated Press

Washington Examiner (January 4 2013): 26

or it's online at the Post's site.

Thursday, January 03, 2013

Advertise in the new Magic Bullet comic

Advertise in the new Magic Bullet comic, and help pay for the publication of the next issue of this Washington-based comic newspaper.

Ohio's Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum

Here's a nice interview about Ohio State University's Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum. I send extra copies of comics to them (as well as Michigan State and the Library of Congress) and just donated to their capital campaign.

Tom Spurgeon
CR Holiday Interview #15 -- Jenny E. Robb
January 3, 2013
http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/cr_holiday_interview_18_jenny_robb/