Saturday, February 08, 2025

Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 2/7/2025

Interview: Louis Southard on the return of MIDNIGHT WESTERN THEATRE

Jared Bird on 02/07/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/interview-louis-southard-on-the-return-of-midnight-western-theatre/

 

Rob Liefeld is done with Marvel after Deadpool red carpet snub

Heidi MacDonald on 02/07/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/rob-liefeld-is-done-with-marvel-after-deadpool-red-carpet-snub/

 

IDW CONFIRMS MINOR LAYOFFS

Two Employees

Milton Griepp on February 7, 2025

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/58794/idw-confirms-minor-layoffs

 

Now IDW Face Layoffs As Well As Dark Horse Comics

06 Feb 2025 Rich Johnston

https://bleedingcool.com/comics/now-idw-face-layoffs-as-well-as-dark-horse-comics/

 

Diamond UK Will Not Distribute Mad Cave Studios Or TwoMorrows To UK

06 Feb 2025   Rich Johnston 

https://bleedingcool.com/comics/diamond-uk-will-not-distribute-mad-cave-studios-or-twomorrows-to-uk/

 

A New Chapter (11) for Diamond

Brigid Alverson | February 6, 2025

https://www.tcj.com/a-new-chapter-11-for-diamond/

 

DSTLRY brings fans and creators closer than before with innovative technology

Hilary Leung on 02/07/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/dstlry-brings-fans-and-creators-closer-than-before-with-innovative-technology/

 

Comic books returned to owner after storage locker break-in, Calgary police lay charges

Lauryn Heintz 

Feb 7, 2025

https://calgary.citynews.ca/2025/02/07/calgary-storage-locker-break-ins/

 

Director Kang Hei Chul Dives Into the New Neflix Movie

Ryan Gaur

February 6, 2025

March '25 issue of Animation Magazine (No. 348).

https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/02/geralt-re-animated-the-witcher-sirens-of-the-deep-director-kang-hei-chul-dives-into-the-new-neflix-movie/

 

KrumbleTV Creator On Making Animated Films With Metahuman Creator

By Joe Fordham | 02/04/2025   https://www.cartoonbrew.com/interviews/krumbletv-creator-on-making-animated-films-with-metahuman-creator-245485.html

 

Angoulême '25: TWO GIRLS NUDE get top prize as John Romita Jr given honorary award.

Dean Simons on 02/07/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/angouleme-25-two-girls-nude-get-top-prize-as-john-romita-jr-given-honorary-award/

 

Three Days In Angoulême – Day One, Life's A Pitch And Then You Diet

Chris Geary   06 Feb 2025   https://bleedingcool.com/comics/three-days-in-angouleme-day-one-lifes-a-pitch-and-then-you-diet/

 

Three Days In Angoulême – Day Two, You Have The Right To A Fair Pitch

Three Days In Angoulême - Day Two, You Have The Right To A Fair Pitch, as Chris Geary hits the international market

Chris Geary   06 Feb 2025   https://bleedingcool.com/comics/three-days-in-angouleme-day-two-you-have-the-right-to-a-fair-pitch/

 

Three Days In Angoulême- Day Three, They've Even Got Comics In The Pub

Chris Geary  , 06 Feb 2025  https://bleedingcool.com/comics/three-days-angouleme-comics-in-the-pub/

 

Reviews: Acme Novelty Library Datebook Volume Three

Leonard Pierce | February 6, 2025

https://www.tcj.com/reviews/acme-novelty-library-datebook-volume-three/

 

Acme Novelty Library Datebook Volume Three

Chris Ware

Drawn & Quarterly

 

Evan Dorkin

  The F.A.Q.

Feb 7, 2025

https://www.patreon.com/posts/f-q-121699617

 

You've Got Just Enough For Gas – This Week's Links

Clark Burscough | February 7, 2025

https://www.tcj.com/youve-got-just-enough-for-gas-this-weeks-links/

 

Being a Manga Letterer Is More Than Having a Fun Job

Typesetting popular manga like Dandadan, Kaiju No. 8, and Gokurakugai can be crushing for its pool of mostly freelance workers.

By Isaiah Colbert

Io9 January 21, 2025

https://gizmodo.com/being-a-manga-letterer-is-more-than-having-a-fun-job-2000549285

Why Harassment Comes with the Territory of Translating Popular Manga

io9 talks to translators about the highlights and challenges of working on major shonen manga series such as One Piece, Spy x Family, and Undead Unluck.

By Isaiah Colbert

io9 February 3, 2025 https://gizmodo.com/why-harassment-comes-with-the-territory-of-translating-popular-manga-2000556430

 

Remembering legendary cartoonist Jules Feiffer

By Lori Chung

Spectrum News Feb. 01, 2025

https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/CTV/2025/02/01/remembering-legendary-cartoonist-jules-feiffer

 

PW Comics World: More To Come

More to Come 658: PW's Spring 2025 Comics and Graphic Novel Preview

Calvin Reid, Heidi MacDonald, Kate Fitzsimons, and Meg Lemke

on 01/31/2025 https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/podcasts/index.html?channel=2&podcast=1353

 

This New Graphic Novel by a Real Astronaut Is Perfect for Kids Who Love Space

Leland Melvin's 'Space Chasers' is aimed for kids 8 to 12.

By Anna Halkidis

February 4, 2025

https://www.parents.com/leland-melvin-new-graphic-novel-for-kids-8783889

 

ImageText Volume 15, Issue 2

https://imagetextjournal.com/category/volume-15-issue-2/

 

Arctic Urban Space and Corporeality in Yuliya Nikitina's Graphic Novel Polunochnaia zemlia

By Anni Lappela

https://imagetextjournal.com/lappela-arctic/

 

Figuring Out Fairness: Justice Considerations in Superhero Comics

By Justin F. Martin

https://imagetextjournal.com/martin-fairness/

 

The Actual Anatomy of the Terrible: Gou Tanabe, Weird Ekphrasis, and the History of Lovecraft in Comics

By Timothy Murphy

https://imagetextjournal.com/murphy-ekphrasis/

 

Review of Monica Chiu's Show Me Where It Hurts: Manifesting Illness and Impairment in Graphic Pathography

By Benjamin Fraser, University of Arizona

https://imagetextjournal.com/fraser-chiu/

 

Chiu, Monica. Show Me Where It Hurts: Manifesting Illness and Impairment in Graphic Pathography.  University Park: The Pennsylvania State…

Review of Margaret Galvan's In Visible Archives: Queer and Feminist Visual Culture in the 1980s

Amelia Skinner

https://imagetextjournal.com/skinnersaint-galvan/

 

Review of Reginald Wiebe and Dorothy Woodman's The Cancer Plot: Terminal Immortality in Marvel's Moral Universe

By Prateeti Chowdhury, University of Hyderabad

https://imagetextjournal.com/chowdhury-wiebe-woodman/

 

Wiebe, Reginald, and Dorothy Woodman. The Cancer Plot: Terminal Immortality in Marvel's Moral Universe. University of Alberta Press, 2023.…

 

American Born Chinese and Its Publishing Journey

Work by Ashton Marhevka

https://imagetextjournal.com/marhevka/

 

Love in the Time of the Korean War: Romance Comics and the Normalization of America's International Security Commitments

Brian Rouleau

 Modern American History   30 January 2025

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/modern-american-history/article/love-in-the-time-of-the-korean-war-romance-comics-and-the-normalization-of-americas-international-security-commitments/E18ED6C85432598A5143CAE07498840B

 

"What would it be like to be the only person on earth?" @mariamedem went live today and talked to us about her creative process, the story behind LAND OF MIRRORS, and her favorite comics, films and photographers

Maria Medem

Drawn and Quarterly February 5 2025

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFszJKOoX5q/

 

Assessing the acceptability and appropriateness of a psychoeducational graphic novel about inherited cancer risk designed for men

Marleah Dean, Josephine K. Boumis, Lingzi Zhong, Alexis Ingle, Gemme Campbell-Salome, Lindy Grief Davidson, Courtney L. Scherr, Shana-Kay Brown, Deborah L. Cragun

Journal of Genetic Counseling 07 August 2024

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jgc4.1954

https://doi.org/10.1002/jgc4.1954

 

Howell, Jennifer. 2025. From "life as lived" to "life as text": gendered geographies of diaspora and exile in Clément Baloup's Vietnamese memories. Journal of Graphic Novels and Comics (January 30): 1–16. online at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/ref/10.1080/21504857.2025.2459322 and  https://doi.org/10.1080/21504857.2025.2459322

 

Le Moëne, Olivia. 2025. Searching for individuality: personality and behaviour of Thompson and Thomson [Tintin].  Journal of Geek Studies 12(1): 7-18. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14634700 and https://www.researchgate.net/publication/388484882_Searching_for_individuality_personality_and_behaviour_of_Thompson_and_Thomson

 

Martino, Briana Leigh. 2025. On Tarot, Divination, and Comics. Graphic Medicine Review 5 (1).  https://doi.org/10.7191/gmr.1030 and https://publishing.escholarship.umassmed.edu/gmr/article/id/1030/

 

Wonder Woman and Pygmalion: 'Amazon. I'm an Amazon.'

Ryan Perry

February 5, 2025

https://aiptcomics.com/2025/02/05/wonder-woman-essay-part-three/

 

Jason Aaron talks 'Absolute Superman' #4, Lois Lane's inner conflict, and the weight of the red cape

David Brooke

February 3, 2025

https://aiptcomics.com/2025/02/03/jason-aaron-absolute-superman-4-lois-lane/

 

Ramen, Cat, and Grandma: Alex de Campi on the final arc of 'Full Tilt Boogie'

Alex de Campi discusses the final arc of 'Full Tilt Boogie' sharing insights on anime influence and more. [2000 AD]

David Brooke

February 5, 2025

https://aiptcomics.com/2025/02/05/alex-de-campi-full-tilt-boogie/

 

Lighting up the universe: Jeremy Adams and Morgan Hampton talk 'Green Lantern Corps'

David Brooke

February 3, 2025

https://aiptcomics.com/2025/02/03/jeremy-adams-morgan-hampton-green-lantern-corps/

 

'Brownstone' wins 2025 Printz Award

Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)

American Library Association (ALA) January 27, 2025

https://www.ala.org/news/2025/01/brownstone-wins-2025-printz-award

 

The Power Fantasy is superhero veteran Kieron Gillen's 'last word' on superheroes

Susana Polo

Polygon Jan 31, 2025,  https://www.polygon.com/comics/517074/kieron-gillen-superheroes-professor-x-power-fantasy

 

DECOMPRESSED v4 001: CASPAR WIJNGAARD ON THE POWER FANTASY

Kieron Gillen

Jan 29, 2025

https://decompressed.libsyn.com/decompressed-v4-001-caspar-wijngaard-on-the-power-fantasy

 

DECOMPRESSED v4 002: CLAYTON COWLES ON THE POWER FANTASY [letterer]

Kieron Gillen

Feb 5, 2025

https://decompressed.libsyn.com/decompressed-v4-002-clayton-cowles-on-the-power-fantasy

 

'Coming to New York' stories are alive and well in these two new books [Kay Sohini, This Beautiful, Ridiculous City]

Maureen Corrigan

Fresh Air February 6, 2025

https://www.npr.org/2025/02/06/nx-s1-5288896/new-york-city-gay-talese-kay-sohini

https://ondemand.npr.org/anon.npr-mp3/npr/fa/2025/02/20250206_fa_03.mp3

https://www.npr.org/transcripts/nx-s1-5288896


Ablaze Publishing and Alien Books lay off editors
Heidi MacDonald on 02/07/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/ablaze-publishing-and-alien-books-lay-off-editors/

Interview: Joe Casey embarks on a SPACE QUEST
Deanna Destito on 02/07/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/interview-joe-casey-embarks-on-a-space-quest/

Interview : Salim Nassib pour un Génie de Beyrouth immortelJean-Laurent Truc
 7 février 2025
https://www.ligneclaire.info/interview-salim-nassib-pour-un-genie-de-beyrouth-immortel-299628.html

Invincible Season 3: Robert Kirkman on How Cecil Stedman's Backstory Explains Everything
Alec Bojalad | February 6, 2025
https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/invincible-season-3-robert-kirman-cecil-stedmans-backstory-explains-everything/

Captain America 4's Anthony Mackie Knows the Marvel Heroes He Wants on His Avengers  [aka Anthony Mackie Reveals His Personal Avengers Team!]
  By Joe George | February 7, 2025
https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/captain-america-4-anthony-mackie-knows-marvel-heroes-avengers-picks/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uV8qsL3gUs


Friday, February 07, 2025

Feb 15: JOHO @ Patriot Pawsabilities

JOHO @ Patriot Pawsabilities

Scrawl Books is so excited to partner with Patriot Pawsabilities to celebrate author and artist JOHO and her release of Saphie the One-Eyed Cat. Join us on location at Patriot Pawsabilities to chat with JOHO about her new graphic novel and celebrate our love for our furry feline friends. You can even visit Patriot Pawsabilities' Cat Lounge and enjoy some snuggles and scritches!

Located on the backside of University Mall in Fairfax, VA, Patriot Pawsabilities offers a bright and colorful space to come play and relax with our adoptable cats and kittens.

RSVP at the bottom of this page!

Event date: 
Saturday, February 15, 2025 - 1:00pm
Event address: 
Patriot Pawsabilities
10687 Braddock Road
Fairfax, VA 22032
Saphie the One-Eyed Cat Volume 1 By JOHO Cover Image
By JOHO
$12.99
ISBN: 9781546124962
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Graphix - February 4th, 2025

Thursday, February 06, 2025

Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 2/6/2025

Never Again and Again

Joe Sacco and Art Spiegelman

a graphic conversation

February 27, 2025 issue

https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2025/02/27/never-again-and-again-gaza-sacco-spiegelman/

https://www.nybooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Spiegelman_1-022725.jpg

https://www.nybooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Spiegelman_2-022725.jpg

https://www.nybooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Spiegelman_3-022725.jpg

 

ComicScene Podcast Issue 1 [manga discussion by UK creators]

Anthony Foster, David Cranna, Ilya, Sebastian Chow, Colin Maxwell and Serena Vincenzi

  Feb 3, 2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh0lncx1tUk

 

King Features Scrubs Darrin Bell

D. D. Degg 

February 5, 2025

https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2025/02/05/king-features-scrubs-darrin-bell/

 

King Features 2025 Directory

D. D. Degg 

February 5, 2025

https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2025/02/05/king-features-2025-directory/

 

DARK HORSE CONFIRMS LAYOFFS But Vague on Details

Brigid Alverson on February 5, 2025

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/58777/dark-horse-confirms-layoffs

 

IDW AUDITORS REMOVE ''GOING CONCERN'' OPINION Related to Diamond Chapter 11

Milton Griepp on February 6, 2025

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/58781/idw-auditors-remove-going-concern-opinion

 

DC Comics Has Pulled Neil Gaiman's Death Compact Edition For Now

05 Feb 2025  Rich Johnston  https://bleedingcool.com/comics/dc-comics-neil-gaiman-death-compact-edition-sandman/

 

Massive Indies' Terms To Distribute Other Publishers Through Lunar

The terms that Massive Indies requires to distribute other publishers' comics through Lunar Distribution comes with a $500 cost minimum

  05 Feb 2025   Rich Johnston  https://bleedingcool.com/comics/massive-indies-terms-to-distribute-other-publishers-through-lunar/

 

Exhibit review: Tove Jansson: Paradise

reviewed by Bart Beaty and Rebecca Sullivan, University of Calgary

International Journal of Comic Art blog February 6, 2025

https://ijoca.blogspot.com/2025/02/exhibit-review-tove-jansson-paradise.html

 

Lucca Comics & Games 2024 Festival Review: "The Butterfly Effect"

reviewed by Bart Beaty and Rebecca Sullivan, University of Calgary

International Journal of Comic Art blog February 6, 2025

https://ijoca.blogspot.com/2025/02/lucca-comics-games-2024-festival-review.html

 

Petit, Cyril. 2023.

Voici la recette du prochain Asterix ... en Armorique .

dimanche Ouest France (July 30): 20

 

"DU SABLE ENTRE LES ORTEILS," DES FEUILLES DANS LES CHEVEUX ET UN AIR VIVIFIANT ... [French postage stamps by Alban Dmerlu]

MAI 2024 N° 1994 I L'ECHO DE LA TIMBROLOGIE

 

'Ne Zha 2' Sets All-Time Chinese Animation Box Office Record

Animation Magazine

February 5, 2025

https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/02/ne-zha-2-sets-all-time-chinese-animation-box-office-record/

 

Jarrod Prince Welcomes You to His Surreal and Whimsical 'Olive Place'

Ramin Zahed

February 5, 2025  https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/02/jarrod-prince-welcomes-you-to-his-surreal-and-whimsical-olive-place/


Paperfilms Crowdfunding: Behind the Scenes
JIMMY PALMIOTTI
PaperFilms Feb 6, 2025
https://mailchi.mp/037ae4acdda9/paperfilms-crowdfunding-behind-the-scenes?e=8f352bacd9

From Ted To Tom: The Illustrated Envelopes Of Edward Gorey
edited by Tom Fitzharris
New York Review Books, 2025

Deadpool Creator Rob Liefeld Will No Longer Work With Marvel After 'Deadpool & Wolverine' Premiere Indignities
Aaron Couch
February 6, 2025
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/deadpool-creator-rob-liefeld-1236128162/

"It's Way Too Fun": Chip Zdarsky on the Joy and Impact of Zdarsky Comic News
By David Harper
February 5, 2025
 https://sktchd.com/interview/chip-zdarsky-zcn-interview/

Chip Zdarsky explains PUBLIC DOMAIN | Interview
Owen Likes More Comics
  Jan 30, 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71o9qatKwAQ

Ryan North explains his FANTASTIC FOUR run | Interview
Owen Likes More Comics
  Sep 12, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6krmXQMxgy8

Pop Culture SquadCast - Live - Episode #077: With Special Guest Erica Schultz
Pop Culture Squad
Feb 4, 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ady9wtyn71g

Briana Loewinsohn Interview Part 1-2
Eric Reynolds
Fantagraphics
 Feb 4, 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weVizpMthyQ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1KOYUcM4es

Words, Images, & Worlds with Peter L Brown
Jason DeHart
Feb 6, 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQODq4r1x_w

Children's Book Council Launches Graphic Novel Advocate Award
By Pamela Brill
Feb 06, 2025
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/97037-children-s-book-council-launches-graphic-novel-advocate-award.html

IDEAS DON'T BLEED episode one hundred twenty-five | Lonnie Nadler, part one
Feb 06, 2025
https://ashcanpress.substack.com/p/have-you-been-in-many-battles

The Boys and John Wick creators will join J. Michael Straczynski, and a host of other big name creatives at Marvel legend Joe Quesada's new imprint, Amazing Comics
Will Salmon
Newsarama January 31, 2025
https://www.gamesradar.com/comics/amazing-comics-creators-announced/

    Fanbase Press Interviews Hugh D'Andrade on the Upcoming Release of the Graphic Memoir, 'The Murder Next Door,' Through Street Noise Books
    Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief
    February 4, 2025
     https://fanbasepress.com/press/interviews/comics/item/56280-fanbase-press-interviews-hugh-dandrade-on-the-upcoming-release-of-the-graphic-memoir-the-murder-next-door-through-street-noise-books/




Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 2/5/2025

MASSIVE ADDS LUNAR, ANNOUNCES MASSIVE INDIES; TWOMORROWS SWITCHES TO LUNAR

Distribution Moves Round-up

 Milton Griepp on February 5, 2025 

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/58772/massive-adds-lunar-announces-massive-indies-twomorrows-switches-lunar

 

DIAMOND, ALLIANCE CREDITORS FILE RECLAMATION DEMANDS

The Pokemon Company International and Fright-Rags, Inc.

Milton Griepp on February 5, 2025

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/58773/diamond-alliance-creditors-file-reclamation-demands

 

CSotD: Deja vu, if that's what we decide [Richard Nixon editorial cartoons]

Mike Peterson

February 5, 2025

https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2025/02/05/csotd-deja-vu-if-thats-what-we-decide/

 

Exhibit celebrating Peanuts' Franklin coming to Hinson Art Museum

By Luanne Williams

Jan. 29, 2025

https://www.wingate.edu/publications/post-page/~board/whats-up-at-wingate/post/exhibit-celebrating-peanuts-franklin-coming-to-hinson-art-museum

 

Astronaut and graphic novel writer Leland Melvin interviewed by graphic novelist Jonathan Roth at Scrawl Books

Leland Melvin; Jonathan Roth

Scrawl Books February 4 2025

https://archive.org/details/leland-melvin-interviewed-by-jonathan-roth-scrawl-books-250204

 

Megan Lloyd Wagner Interviewing Graphic Novelist Gale Galligan At Scrawl Books

Gale Galligan; Megan Wagner Lloyd

    Scrawl Books January 11 2025

https://archive.org/details/megan-lloyd-wagner-interviewing-graphic-novelist-gale-galligan-at-scrawl-books-250111

 

'Win or Lose' Creators Carrie Hobson & Michael Yates Share Their Game Plan for the New Pixar Animated Series

Karen Idelson

February 4, 2025

https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/02/win-or-lose-creators-carrie-hobson-michael-yates-share-their-game-plan-for-the-pixar-animated-series/

March '25 issue of Animation Magazine (No. 348).

 

IDW Pushes Back On Auditor's Report That Warns Of "Substantial Doubt"

04 Feb 2025   Rich Johnston  https://bleedingcool.com/comics/idw-pushes-back-on-auditors-report-that-warns-of-substantial-doubt/

 

Dark Horse Comics Makes Sweeping Layoffs Among Its Staff

  04 Feb 2025   Rich Johnston   https://bleedingcool.com/comics/dark-horse-comics-makes-sweeping-layoffs-among-its-staff/

 

Who Will Buy Diamond Comic Distributors? The Runners And Riders

Rich Johnston 

Bleeding Cool  04 Feb 2025  https://bleedingcool.com/comics/who-will-buy-diamond-comic-distributors-the-runners-and-riders/

 

Dren Productions Gets The License To Publish Smokey Bear Comics

Dren Productions gets the license to publish Smokey Bear comic books in partnership with the US Forest Service

  04 Feb 2025   Rich Johnston

https://bleedingcool.com/comics/dren-productions-gets-the-license-to-publish-smokey-bear-comics/

 

You're My Obsession: A Conversation with Jon Macy [gay-male comic books]

Robert Kirby | February 5, 2025

https://www.tcj.com/youre-my-obsession-a-conversation-with-jon-macy/

 

A post-SPX chat with Angela Hsieh

by Mike Rhode

February 05, 2025

https://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2025/02/a-post-spx-chat-with-angela-hsieh.html


Layoffs at IDW this week confirmed
Heidi MacDonald on 02/05/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/layoffs-at-idw-this-week-confirmed/

Cost Cuts Lower Losses at Comics Publisher IDW
By Jim Milliot
Feb 05, 2025 https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/financial-reporting/article/97013-cost-cuts-lower-losses-at-idw-media-holdings.html

Dark Horse Media Downsizes
by Jim Milliot
Feb 05, 2025
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/97015-dark-horse-media-downsizes.html

Mort Künstler, hailed as America's most prominent historical artist, dies at 97
By Bill Bleyer
Newsday February 4, 2025
https://www.newsday.com/long-island/obituaries/mort-kunstler-obituary-jm3ll82b

Joe Hale, Disney Animation Veteran and 'Black Cauldron' Producer, Dies at 99
He was an animator on 'Peter Pan,' a layout artist on 'Sleeping Beauty' and an VFX Oscar nominee on 'The Black Hole.'
Mike Barnes
February 5, 2025
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/joe-hale-dead-disney-animation-black-cauldron-1236128254/

September 17, 2010
The Black Cauldron : Producer Joe Hale talks munchings and crunchings…
Jérémie Noyer
https://animatedviews.com/2010/the-black-cauldron-producer-joe-hale-talks-munchings-and-crunchings/

Lawsuit accuses author Neil Gaiman of rape, says wife trafficked nanny [in print as Lawsuit accuses author Gaiman of rape, his wife of trafficking]
Vivian Ho and Sophia Nguyen
Washington Post (February 5 2025): C1, 5.
Online at
https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2025/02/04/neil-gaiman-amanda-palmer-rape-trafficking-lawsuit/



Wednesday, February 05, 2025

Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "No Coherent Message"

"No Coherent Message"
https://sinkers.org/stage/?p=4082

Yeah, that's right — a wannabe Mussolini has just bullied his way into
the White House and is terrorizing the country, his Seig-Heiling
rocket-powered dildo-building buddy has basically stolen the keys to the
Treasury and is getting ready to loot the place, and the Democratic
Party... has no coherent message.

No coherent message. Like, not even "fuck you". Like, they got nothing.
Nothing.


___________________________________________________________
Mike Flugennock, flugennock at sinkers dot org
Political Cartoons: dubya dubya dubya dot sinkers dot org

A post-SPX chat with Angela Hsieh

 by Mike Rhode


Angela Hsieh and I first met at Fantom Comics in summer 2023 at a booksigning, and then again as she tabled at SPX in 2023 and 2024. We talked about doing an interview all three times. Her first book was illustrating Antarctica: The Melting Continent, a picture book written by Karen Romano Young. Finally her graphic novel is coming out and she's answered my usual questions.


What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
Graphic novels take up most of my time, though I've been known to do a short comic or two on the side. For the past three years I've been working on my debut graphic novel, Lu and Ren's Guide to Geozoology. It's finally coming out in May 2025. You can even preorder it!

Lu and Ren's Guide to Geozoology
is a middle grade fantasy story about two friends who travel across the fantastical land of Lirrin in search of Lu's missing ah-ma (grandma). All they have to guide their way is Ah-ma's journal. One major problem: Ah-ma wrote it in her native Cylian language, which Lu can barely read. As Lu and Ren follow Ah-ma's footsteps and encounter incredible geofauna such as colossal axolotl-like ambystufa and adorably massive guinea pig-shaped cavioliths, they find out more about the complex relationships between geofauna and people—and between each other.

How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?
I write scripts in Scrivener, or in Google Docs, or on a piece of paper if that's what calls to me at that moment. I thumbnail on paper and sketch/pencil in an iPad app called Comic Draw. Lu and Ren's Guide to Geozoology was colored in Procreate. Procreate really isn't designed for comic pages, though, so I'm looking to other programs such as Clip Studio to improve my workflow.

Why are you in Washington now?

I moved to DC in 2018 when I got an internship at NPR. Said internship turned into a contract gig, and when that year was up I'd put down roots in DC and didn't want to pack up my life yet again and move to another city. Now I freelance from here.

What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

I took a grand total of one (1) sequential art course at my alma mater, RISD. I went through art school thinking I'd make a career as an editorial illustrator—which, to be fair, I did for a few years—so I focused on that and didn't seek classes in comics or cartooning. I wish I took more comics classes when they were more easily available to me, but I'm not going to be too hard on myself for making decisions that made sense at the time.

Who are your influences?
It changes depending on what I'm working on at the moment. While I was making Geozoology, for example, I found inspiration in Kay O'Neill's Tea Dragon series, Tim Probert's Lightfall books, and Shaun Tan's The Arrival. More broadly, nature, science, and history are core influences in my work. The world is vast and very, very interesting.

If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?

I would float backwards in time and rasp ominously into 12-year-old Angela's ear, "Your spine will never be the same again if you don't sit your ass in a chair with proper back support starting NOW."

What work are you best known for?
Probably these Bulbasaur Brassica cultivars or this mini comic I made about my cat staring into a hole in the bathroom wall.

What work are you most proud of?
Finishing an entire graphic novel. That's 256 pages!

What would you like to do or work on in the future?

I have another graphic novel I'm working on with Harper, so that'll keep me busy for the next two to three years. There isn't much I can say about it at this point in time except that it'll be in the fantasy genre, but tonally a bit darker than Geozoology. Because I always need to have multiple irons in multiple fires, I'm also working on a pitch for yet another graphic novel in collaboration with a writer. If you like gays in sports, you'll like this one.

 

What do you think will be the future of your field?
I don't know what I'm going to eat for lunch tomorrow, much less what the future of comics will be.

What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Awesome Con, or others? Any comments about attending them?
DC Zinefest and Small Press Expo are my favorites! I table at them if the lottery is kind to me. I had a great time last year at Graphic Novel Fest in Baltimore—it was their first year, and I'm looking forward to seeing it continue!
 
What comic books do you read regularly or recommend? 

Recently, I've been really into DUNGEON MESHI by Ryoko Kui. She lands every single joke. Her expressions are priceless.

Do you have a local store?

Fantom Comics!! They always have some fun event going on, and the folks that run Fantom are the best.

What's your favorite thing about DC?

That cliche-but-true characterization of it being a big city with small-town vibes. It's walkable, it's green, the buildings are short enough that I can actually see the sky, and more than once I've bumped into friends while running errands.

Least favorite?
The rent. :'|

What monument or museum do you like to take visitors to?

I always take visitors to that most respected of DC institutions, the Q Street Barbie pond.

How about a favorite local restaurant?

It's so hard to choose! Chercher (Logan Circle) is my go-to for Ethiopian, and Sharbat (Adams Morgan) has a honey cake that's, in a word, divine. If sushi's your thing, Umai Nori (Downtown) has fantastic hand rolls.

Do you have a website or blog?

My website is www.angela-hsieh.com. My newsletter, currently the most reliable source of updates, can be found at angelahsieh.substack.com.



In today's edition of her newsletter, Angela writes, B&N is doing a 25% off member pre-order sale today through Friday (Feb 5-7)!

WHY’RE AUTHORS ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT PRE-ORDERS?

In short, pre-orders help increase the chances of the book’s success. They signal interest in the book to publishers and retailers. Pre-orders help build “buzz” around a book, which can lead publishers to adjust print runs and encourage retailers to make larger orders. If you pre-order from an independent bookstore, not only does it help the creator, they help independent bookstores by guaranteeing sales for their stock.

Pre-orders also count towards first week sales numbers, which is how books end up on those bestseller lists when they’ve only been out in the world for less than a week. I’m not saying that I’m anticipating bestseller status for Geozoology, but I’m not gonna say no to the possibility. ;)

Dren Productions of Maryland licenses Smokey Bear for comic books

Here's the news, all the way from London.

Dren Productions Gets The License To Publish Smokey Bear Comics

Dren Productions gets the license to publish Smokey Bear comic books in partnership with the US Forest Service

  04 Feb 2025   Rich Johnston

https://bleedingcool.com/comics/dren-productions-gets-the-license-to-publish-smokey-bear-comics/

Graphic novelists at Scrawl Books in 2025: recordings of Gale Galligan and Leland Melvin

Scrawl Books in Reston has a strong interest in kid's graphic novels, with Leah Grover shepherding events. Here's recordings and photographs from two events I attended.

Astronaut and graphic novel writer Leland Melvin interviewed by graphic novelist Jonathan Roth at Scrawl Books

Leland Melvin; Jonathan Roth

Scrawl Books February 4 2025

https://archive.org/details/leland-melvin-interviewed-by-jonathan-roth-scrawl-books-250204

 

Megan Lloyd Wagner Interviewing Graphic Novelist Gale Galligan At Scrawl Books

 Gale Galligan; Megan Wagner Lloyd

    Scrawl Books January 11 2025

https://archive.org/details/megan-lloyd-wagner-interviewing-graphic-novelist-gale-galligan-at-scrawl-books-250111

Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 2/4/2025

Neil Gaiman Accused of Human Trafficking, Sexual Abuse in New Lawsuit

By Lila Shapiro, a features writer for New York Magazine.

Feb. 3, 2025

https://www.vulture.com/article/neil-gaiman-human-trafficking-amanda-palmer-lawsuit.html

 

Gaiman and Palmer being sued for trafficking and assault

By Christopher Chiu-Tabet on 02/04/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/gaiman-palmer-sued/

 

NEIL GAIMAN AND AMANDA PALMER SUED With Allegations of Trafficking, Assault

Posted by Milton Griepp on February 4, 2025

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/58764/neil-gaiman-amanda-palmer-sued

 

Lawsuit accuses author Neil Gaiman of rape, says wife trafficked nanny

A former nanny has filed a lawsuit accusing Gaiman of sexual assault and Amanda Palmer of "procuring" her to be abused.

Vivian Ho

February 4, 2025

https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2025/02/04/neil-gaiman-amanda-palmer-rape-trafficking-lawsuit/


Neil Gaiman Sued by Former Nanny for Sexual Assault, Human Trafficking
By Sophia Stewart
Feb 04, 2025
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/97005-neil-gaiman-sued-by-former-nanny-for-sexual-assault-human-trafficking.html

 

Marvel Has No Plans To Publish Neil Gaiman's Miracleman: The Dark Age

Marvel told the NYT it has "no new books forthcoming" by Neil Gaiman, while Tom Brevoort has commented specifically on Miracleman: The Dark Age.

Rich Johnston, 03 Feb 2025

https://bleedingcool.com/comics/marvel-no-plans-publish-neil-gaiman-miracleman-dark-age/

 

The Sandman Showrunner's Original 2022 Plans for Neil Gaiman Adapt

In 2022, The Sandman Showrunner Allan Heinberg, EP David S. Goyer, and Netflix shared how they had big plans for their Neil Gaiman adaptation.

03 Feb 2025 Ray Flook  https://bleedingcool.com/tv/the-sandman-showrunners-original-2022-plans-for-neil-gaiman-adapt/

 

NEIL GAIMAN AND THE DAMAGE DONE

Rob Salkowitz on February 3, 2025

https://icv2.com/articles/columns/view/58761/neil-gaiman-damage-done

 

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS trailer takes us to the (retro) future

Christopher Chiu-Tabet on 02/04/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/f4-first-steps-trailer/

 

Tariff terror averted…for now

Heidi MacDonald on 02/04/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/tariff-terror-averted-for-now/

 

Valiant Comics Says The $4.99 Comic Is Over Because Of Tariffs

Valiant Comics says that the $4.99 cover price comic is over because of Canadian tariffs, hitting at the same time as Diamond bankruptcy.

Rich Johnston 03 Feb 2025  https://bleedingcool.com/comics/valiant-comics-says-the-4-99-comic-is-over-because-of-tariffs/

 

Transcontinental Steps Up To Offer Comics Industry 90 Days Tariff-Free

Transcontinental Inc, Canadian printer to the comic industry, stepped up to cover the cost of of tariffs to American publishers for 90 days

03 Feb 2025  Rich Johnston  https://bleedingcool.com/comics/transcontinental-steps-up-to-offer-comics-industry-90-days-tariff-free/

 

TwoMorrows Publishing Appeal To Readers After Diamond Doesn't Pay

TwoMorrows Publishing appeals to its readers for help after Diamond Comic Distributors doesn't pay and declares bankruptcy

, 03 Feb 2025   Rich Johnston

https://bleedingcool.com/comics/twomorrows-publishing-appeal-to-readers-after-diamond-doesnt-pay

 

Massive goes Lunar and adds sub distribution arm, Massive Indies

Heidi MacDonald on 02/04/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/massive-goes-lunar-and-adds-sub-distribution-arm-massive-indies/

 

Jonas: " IDW management does not feel that IDW is a substantial risk as a going concern"

Heidi MacDonald on 02/04/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/jonas-idw-risk-diamond

 

Dark Horse rumored to be downsizing

 Heidi MacDonald on 02/04/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/dark-horse-rumored-to-be-downsizing/

 

Indie Comic Creators: THE LANTERN provides a new digital initiative to help foster a community

Christian Angeles on 02/04/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/indie-comic-creators-the-lantern-provides-a-new-digital-initiative-to-help-foster-a-community/


Artist's Editions from Scott Dunbier's Act 4 Publishing find new home at Skybound
Taimur Dar on 02/04/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/artists-editions-scott-dunbier-act-4-publishing-skybound-partnership/


500 dogs barking: Autofiction in and out of Keum Suk Gendry-Kim's Dog Days

Zachary Garrett | February 4, 2025

https://www.tcj.com/500-dogs-barking-autofiction-and-dog-farming-in-and-out-of-keum-suk-gendry-kims-dog-days/

 

Reviews: Dog Days

Kevin Brown | February 4, 2025 https://www.tcj.com/reviews/dog-days/

 

Can Characters Come Alive Without People?

By Hank Azaria

Feb. 4, 2025

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/02/04/opinion/simpsons-hank-azaria-voice-acting-AI.html

free to read link https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/02/04/opinion/simpsons-hank-azaria-voice-acting-AI.html?unlocked_article_code=1.uU4.yJpi.sv7gZQBi7quD&smid=url-share

 

TV Review: INVINCIBLE Season 3 rises above the superhero competition

By Taimur Dar on 02/04/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/tv-review-invincible-season-3-rises-above-the-superhero-competition/

 

'The Pioneers' Is A Tribute To The Forgotten And Overlooked Pioneers Of Space Travel [Canada]

By Chris Robinson | 01/31/2025  https://www.cartoonbrew.com/cartoon-brew-pick/the-pioneers-is-a-tribute-to-the-forgotten-and-overlooked-pioneers-of-space-travel-245458.html

 

'Ne Zha 2' Beats 'Moana 2' To Set All-Time Box Office Record For Animated Film Opening

By Amid Amidi | 02/02/2025   https://www.cartoonbrew.com/box-office-report/ne-zha-2-beats-moana-2-to-set-all-time-box-office-record-for-animated-film-opening-245462.html

 

María Medem's beautiful new comic is written to the rhythm of flamenco

The Seville-based illustrator launches her English language debut, Land of Mirrors: a publication on loneliness, love and friendship. [Spain]

Ellis Tree

3 February 2025

https://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/maria-medem-land-of-mirrors-illustration-project-030225

Tuesday, February 04, 2025

Jonathan Roth and Leland Melvin at Scrawl Books talking about Space Chasers

Melvin is talking about literacy through graphic novels and then bringing in all types of children into his story.

Jonathan has pointed out that he's in the baseball cap while Melvin is wearing the blue jumpsuit, for the people at the back of the store.

Leland Melvin and Jonathan Roth live at Scrawl Books

WaPo on new Gaiman lawsuit

Lawsuit accuses author Neil Gaiman of rape, says wife trafficked nanny

A former nanny has filed a lawsuit accusing Gaiman of sexual assault and Amanda Palmer of "procuring" her to be abused.

Tonight: Astronaut Leland Melvin & Jonathan Roth at Scrawl Books in Reston


I'm planning on attending.

Astronaut Leland Melvin & Jonathan Roth

Hang out with a LITERAL ASTRONAUT, and an author who knows everything about space travel but hasn't visited (yet)! Join us at Scrawl Books on Tuesday, February 4 at 7PM as we welcome astronaut and author Leland Melvin! Leland will be discussing his new graphic novel, Space Chasers with Leland Melvin, with Rover & Speck author Jonathan Roth! RSVPs encouraged but not required!

Event date: 
Tuesday, February 4, 2025 - 7:00pm
Event address: 
Scrawl Books
11911 Freedom Drive
RestonVA 20190


$14.99
ISBN: 9781250782762
Availability: Coming Soon - Pre-Order Now
Published: First Second - February 4th, 2025

New tarot deck coming from Michael Auger

From Michael Auger

I wanted to let you know about a huge project that has been keeping me busy for a number of years and is finally being released soon… 

I have created a unique, 100-card tarot deck, which will be published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. this April! 

I imagine people will initially be drawn to the playful style of my artwork and then be surprised to discover the extensive historical associations across many tarot systems unified into one product. Most tarot decks have settled on the Marseille tradition of 78 cards. However, the earliest tarot decks were not titled or numbered so it is impossible to know for certain how many cards were originally in a deck or in what order they were arranged. An early 16th century Florentine variant of the tarot — known as the Minchiate — includes cards representing the astrological zodiac as well as a card featuring the virtue Prudence. Some of the oldest surviving tarot cards — from the incomplete Visconti-Sforza tarot decks — include the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity. The inclusion of these virtues, not found in the standard Marseilles deck, suggests that the original tarot included all 7 virtues. Other early hand-painted decks from the 15th century — notably The Rosenthal tarot, The Goldschmidt tarot, and The Guildhall tarot — include other lesser known cards, which my tarot also includes. 



Pythagoras considered the number 10 to be the perfect number with the utmost mystical importance and the key holder of all. In this spirit, I created The Allcento Tarot as a collection of 10-fold 10 cards (i.e., 100 cards). I know my tarot will be appealing because it is both familiar and radically new. It pays tribute to various early historical decks, as well as magickal traditions that came later - including the Golden Dawn, the Rider-Waite-Smith, the Crowley-Harris-Thoth, and more. My goal has been to weave together differences and unify the symbology in a way that, no matter with which version of the tarot you are most familiar, there will be something that will resonate. This deck will appeal to experts because the more you have studied, the more you will appreciate. I also provide in depth details of each card, various spreads, and even correspondences with the Qabalah Tree of Life. However, this deck will also appeal to the novice because of my non-intimidating, playful style of artwork and the system I developed which makes divination easy.  


In addition to the cards I illustrated, I am just as proud of the book I wrote to accompany them. Those who are new to the tarot often remark that it is a daunting task to learn the meanings for so many different cards. However, I have developed a system of correspondences so that you only need to remember 10 number keys and 4 elemental/suit keys and it unlocks not only my deck, but any tarot deck.