2010 November
Omaha returns for an encore
Chris mentioned Omaha the Cat Dancer in passing in his six x-rated comics you can read without shame, and by happy coincidence, NBM Eurotica has the full seven-volume collection in the latest Previews for $75, or $15 less than the cost of buying the volumes individually. An old favorite of mine, Omaha may be the first furry comic, and it’s notable for Reed Waller’s curvy art and Kate Worley’s imaginative scripts. It also has a special place in comics history: Published by Denis Kitchen’s Kitchen Sink Press, Omaha the Cat Dancer was one of the comics the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund was originally formed to defend, according to the official Omaha timeline. Unfortunately, both creators suffered health problems in the late 80s and early 90s, and the series ground to a halt. They agreed to finish the story in 2002, but Worley was diagnosed with lung cancer and died in 2004. NBM has been publishing collected editions for a few years, so this offering is not entirely new, but the price is a good one. They have a preview (NSFW and over 18 only) on their website, and the official Omaha the Cat Dancer site (which is a bit tamer but still has nudity) is a wealth of background information.
And there’s more good news: Worley’s husband James Vance has been working with Waller on a sequel, which is currently being serialized in Sizzle magazine and will hopefully be published by NBM in 2012, according to NBM’s Terry Nantier.
- November 16, 2010 @ 10:00 AM by Brigid Alverson
Viz adds Tenjho Tenge — uncensored! — to its lineup
Viz Media sent out a press release today highlighting its spring-summer 2011 lineup, and the manga publisher has scored a coup: Tenjho Tenge, by Oh! Great, which Viz will be releasing “100% faithful to the original” in two-volume omnibus editions.
A classic boobs-and-battles manga, Tenjho Tenge was originally published by CMX, the now-defunct manga arm of DC Comics, and it was nearly the death of the imprint, too, because someone at CMX made the mistake of trying to release it as a teen-rated manga. To do this, CMX had to cover up the nudity, rewrite the dialogue to eliminate sexual innuendo, and downplay the violence, thus obliterating the key selling points of the series. This heavy editing caused a surge of white-hot Internet rage, with manga fans storming message boards, boycotting the series (reading it in scanlation form instead, just to twist the knife), and even setting up a website (now defunct) solely dedicated to the sins of CMX. DC stonewalled at first, but when Asako Suzuki became director of manga in 2006, she acknowledged that perhaps it wasn’t the best decision, and eventually, under her guidance, the editing got lighter and lighter. Despite the popular outrage, CMX editors consistently said that Tenjho Tenge was one of their biggest sellers, and the series was up to volume 18 when DC pulled the plug on CMX last spring.
Viz will release the series without edits, beginning with volume 1, as part of its Signature line, which is aimed at older readers. Anime News Network followed up with Leyla Aker, the editor-in-chief of the Signature imprint, who told them that Viz chose to start the series anew because the differences between its version and CMX’s would be so profound that they might confuse readers; she added that she and Viz Vice President Alvin Lu are “longtime fans” of the series.
- November 16, 2010 @ 09:00 AM by Brigid Alverson
Comics A.M. | Tokyo’s anti-loli bill lives, a bookstore apocalypse may loom
Lolicon
Legal | The Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly is resurrecting a revised bill to tighten regulations on the sexual depictions of minors in manga, anime and video games. An earlier version of the controversial proposal was voted down in mid-June. The new bill removes vague defining terms like “nonexistent youth” and reportedly avoids references to “characters younger than 18,” increasing the likelihood that the proposed legislation will pass. [Anime News Network]
Retailing | As the small independent retail chain Joseph-Beth Booksellers files for bankruptcy protection, its president warns of even tougher times ahead for bookstores. “I think in the next three to five years, you’ll see half the bookstores in this country close,” Neil Van Uum says. [Lexington Herald-Leader, via ICv2.com]
Awards | The Webcomics List Awards is accepting nominations until Dec. 20. Winners will be announced on Jan. 31. [via Forbidden Planet International]
- November 16, 2010 @ 08:56 AM by Kevin Melrose
comiXology to make tools available to creators
comiXology is the big dog of iPod/iPad comics readers; they got into the game early, their interface is the easiest to use, and they have a lot of comics in their catalog.
Sometimes success can trip you up a bit, though. In addition to its own Comics reader, comiXology developed iPad apps for a number of comics publishers, including Marvel and DC, and this led to complaints from smaller companies that they were having trouble getting a spot on comiXology’s digital shelf. At NYCC last month, I talked to comiXology CEO David Steinberger, and he told me that they were going to make their toolbox available to independent publishers so they can prep their own work for the app, which will hopefully speed up the process. Now they have made it official.
ComiXology began by reaching out to a few publishers for a private “alpha” phase of the program; Tokyopop, Devil’s Due, Arcana Comics and Scott Admunson, creator of Barbarian, signed on, and perhaps the most visible of the comics was Tokyopop’s Hetalia: Axis Powers, a manga with strong advance buzz that appeared on comiXology the same day it was released in print (but after its digital release via Zinio). Now they will be inviting more publishers to participate. The ultimate goal will be to make the tools available to everybody, and this sounds pretty visionary:
The final product will be part of a comprehensive online system, allowing seamless submission for digital publishing for all comic book creators and publishers in an iTunes-like model.
That’s an amazing vision for a small company but comiXology has done a good job so far of getting in front of the trends. However, I wonder if their product isn’t blinding them a bit. Continue Reading »
- November 16, 2010 @ 07:18 AM by Brigid Alverson
‘War of the Green Lanterns’ rages next spring
War of the Green Lanterns
DC’s The Source blog has posted a teaser for an upcoming crossover called “War of the Green Lanterns,” which will kick off next March.
“From Rebirth to Sinestro Corps to Blackest Night, Hal Jordan, Guy Gardner, John Stewart and Kyle Rayner have stood by each other and fought together to save our universe,” said Green Lantern writer Geoff Johns. “After all that, what could possibly tear them apart? We’ll find out in War of the Green Lanterns starting in March’s War of the Green Lanterns #1 and throughout the Green Lantern titles in March, April and May. Every Green Lantern is about to be tested — and tested against one another.”
As noted in the solicitations that came out today, Green Lantern #63 and Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #7 serve as preludes to the crossover.
- November 15, 2010 @ 09:45 PM by JK Parkin
Talking Comics with Tim | Jason Horn
Ninjasaur
This past HeroesCon, I briefly met writer/artist Jason Horn. Stemming from that brief encounter, I learned about his webcomic Ninjasaur ["about a dinosaur who is also a ninja (not the other way around)"]. During this email interview we also briefly dug into another project of his–a continuation of a Norwegian folk tale–Gruff, as well as drawing superheroes for children in the streets of Guatemala (and juxtaposing that with his experience at SDCC). My thanks to Horn for his time and for the opportunity to discuss ninjas and David Lynch in the same sentence.
Tim O’Shea: How did you first come up with the idea of making a dinosaur into a ninja?
Jason Horn: I was at my second FLUKE, a small press convention in Athens Georgia, and I’d had the word Ninjasaur in my head for a few days. I was with my friend, Dean Trippe, who I’d met at FLUKE the previous year, and I told him that I had this word but I didn’t know what it would be. He quickly convinced me to convert that ridiculous word into an awesome webcomic. And, with his help, that’s what I did. Ninjasaur is pretty much just what it sounds like, an absurd comic about a dinosaur ninja that fights people/things while saying something sarcastic.
- November 15, 2010 @ 04:00 PM by Tim O'Shea
Emily Carroll draws Fallout: New Vegas, Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare, Dune, more
…and in so doing makes my head damn near explode with her talent. Emily Carroll, as you may recall, was the cartoonist between the Halloween sensation “His Face All Red,” a chillingly subtle horror comic that took the comics Internet by storm around All Hallows Eve. Her latest post is a gallery of fan art for a variety of nerd-beloved franchises: Zombies from Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare and Fallout: New Vegas, the “Fear is the mindkiller” speech from Dune, and more — even a pin-up from Werner Herzog and Klaus Kinski’s berserk conquistador classic Aguirre: The Wrath of God (see below). It’s always exciting to watch someone go from unknown to must-read (or must-gawk-at, in this case) overnight.
- November 15, 2010 @ 03:00 PM by Sean T. Collins
Watch Mark Waid track down the thief who stole his iPad
We already know he’s a great chops-buster, but is Amazing Spider-Man, Incorruptible, and Irredeemable writer and BOOM! Chief Creative Officer Mark Waid a crimebuster too?
If you’ve followed his Twitter account today, you’ve watched him use the power of technology to hunt the thief who stole his iPad off an airplane after Waid left it there on a previous flight. Waid has already used MobileMe to determine the (alleged!) thief’s address and Google Maps location, and, as of the latest update, he has the suspect pinpointed at a specific hotel at the Indianapolis International Airport. The writer says the local cops can’t do anything until a report is filed by police in Los Angeles, where the iPad was initially lost; meanwhile, the LAPD says it’s too busy to file the report. Just remember, this isn’t the funnybooks: Let’s let the proper authorities do their thing, no matter how easy the Internet has made taking the law into one’s own hands, superhero-style.
- November 15, 2010 @ 02:00 PM by Sean T. Collins
DC Comics confirms that Doomsday will return in Steel #1
Steel #1
DC’s The Source blog confirmed today that the teaser we shared last week is indeed an indication that Doomsday, the monstrous villian who once killed Superman, will return in January.
The villain will return in the Steel one-shot, one of several “iconic” one-shots that month. The story will continue in Outsiders #37, JLA #55 and Superboy #6, and will presumably conclude in a fifth, as-yet-unnamed comic.
“Doomsday is one of the most popular villains in Superman’s canon of foes,” said DC Editor-in-Chief Bob Harras, “He injects a feeling of dread and chaos into the DC Universe that few other characters can.” Doomsday last appeared in Action Comics #871, where, after he was apparently beaten to death by Superman, Supergirl and a host of Kandorians, his body was given to Lex Luthor to make improvements.
Update: If you check DC’s solicitations today for Outsiders #37, you’ll see that this storyline is called “Reign of Doomsday” and is setting up “an explosive summer event.”
- November 15, 2010 @ 01:30 PM by JK Parkin
Iranian general declares Spider-Man a menace
Spider-Man: Hero or Menace?
Taking a cue from J. Jonah Jameson, the commander of Iran’s 400,000-member volunteer militia has blasted Spider-Man as a “false” cartoon character that may be part of a “soft war” against the Islamic republic.
According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naghdi made the remarks last week when he announced the creation of a body called the Organization of Basij and the Media designed to increase the activities of the militia within the media.
Naghdi argued that characters that promote the authority of the government should be used in television programming rather than Spider-Man and other figures, which he seemed to suggest are part of a deliberate attempt to transform the cultural values of Iran.
“Today, we are engaged in a unique and historical war with the enemy in the frame of a soft war,” he said, expressing concern that more wasn’t being done to confront the threat.
- November 15, 2010 @ 01:00 PM by Kevin Melrose
Madureira would love to revisit Battle Chasers … maybe … eventually
Battle Chasers Anthology
Joe Madureira says he would like to return to Battle Chasers, his wildly popular but famously never-completed fantasy series. Maybe. A long time from now.
Debuting in 1998, the WildStorm/Cliffhanger title was plagued by now-legendary delays, including a 16-month gap between issues 6 and 7, before disappearing with Issue 9 which, appropriately enough, ended on a cliffhanger. That was nine years ago. The comic re-emerged in August with the solicitation for a $100 hardcover collection initially set for release last week. Now, however, the Battle Chasers Anthology is shooting for release on Dec. 1. Or Dec. 15.
Interviewed ahead of his appearance at last weekend’s Wizard World Austin Comic Con, Madureira was asked about the collection, and the chances of the characters’ return.
“I’m totally excited about the release of the hardcover,” he told The Austin Chronicle. “Over the years I’d always hear from fans that had trouble locating some of the issues. This is the first time it’s all been collected into one volume. We’ll see what kind of reception it gets. I’d love to do something with the characters again someday, but it’s a long way off. I have creative-ADD, too much stuff lined up before then!”
Until then, fans will have to be content with the hardcover, which debuts … soon.
- November 15, 2010 @ 12:00 PM by Kevin Melrose
Start Reading Now: Stop Paying Attention
Lucy Knisley’s webcomics version of It Gets Better has been getting some much-deserved linkery; this one is aimed at all 16-year-olds, straight and gay, and it’s dead on (although her experiences are a bit more extreme than most). What I didn’t realize until I went to look at it, though, is that Knisley draws a regular webcomic, Stop Paying Attention. She only updates twice a month, but this is no three-panel gag strip; each self-contained episode is a full-page, full-disclosure look at a life issue that usually manages to be funny, painful, and truthful all at once. In between these episodes, according to her bio, Knisley (the author of French Milk) is working on a graphic novel about food for First Second; my day has already gotten better thanks to that news.
- November 15, 2010 @ 11:00 AM by Brigid Alverson
So this is what the Spider-Man musical is going to look like
Carnage (Collin Baja) and Mary Jane (Jennifer Damiano)
From the pages of Vogue magazine and the lens of photographer Annie Leibovitz come these images from director Julie Taymor and composers Bono and The Edge’s upcoming, long-delayed Broadway musical Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark. Personally? I think I’d kill for a comic book Spidey that was this magnificently crazy, let alone a Broadway version that cost tens of millions of dollars to make. What say you?
Scroll down for another pair of jaw-dropping pics and click the link for two additional, vastly less jaw-dropping ones.
- November 15, 2010 @ 10:00 AM by Sean T. Collins
Best manga of the year: Let the arguments begin!
The Strange Tale of Panorama Island
Molly McIsaac starts off this year’s round of Best Manga of the Year lists with a set of choices that points up not only the variety of different stories that occur manga but also what a good year this was:
- Bakuman
- The Strange Tale of Panorama Island
- Chi’s Sweet Home
- Arisa
- My Girlfriend’s a Geek
- Ristorante Paradiso
- Deadman Wonderland
That’s a strong lineup with a lot of variety: An all-ages manga about a cute cat (Chi’s Sweet Home), an action-adventure tale with some dark twists (Deadman Wonderland), a sophisticated family drama (Ristorante Paradiso), a strangely stylish horror story (The Strange Tale of Panorama Island), and a couple of titles that break the mold a bit. It’s also an effective rejoinder to those who claim “the manga bubble has burst”—there’s plenty of manga coming out, and a lot of it is good. I felt this list left out some strong contenders—the alt-manga anthology AX has made some of the graphic-novel lists, and Kate Dacey lists three more manga she thinks are deserving of best-of-the-year honors, A Drunken Dream, All My Darling Daughters, and Twin Spica.
Just for fun, take a look at Deb Aoki’s predictions for the hottest manga of 2010. It’s actually a good roundup of the books that did well this year, aside from the CMX titles that were never published. (Sigh.)
- November 15, 2010 @ 09:00 AM by Brigid Alverson
What Are You Reading?
Hellblazer: India
Hello and welcome once again to What Are You Reading?, where the Robot 6 crew talk about the comics and graphic novels that they’ve been enjoying lately. Today our special guest is Bill Reed, who contributes to our sister blog Comics Should Be Good!. To see what Bill and the Robot 6 crew have been reading, click the link below.
- November 14, 2010 @ 12:00 PM by JK Parkin