Update #14
January 31st, 2007 - My Must Read Stories feature returns for round #14. In this column, I work to tie together a solid taste of not-to-be-missed comic blog reading (or in some cases just plain fun links) from across the web and boil them down to 13 topics I think are worth highlighting and sometimes commenting on. So, without further delay, onward to our very latest set of 13...
Selling Comics At Conventions - Comics212 has an interesting article [link] on the practice of rolling out new titles at conventions and the impact on the overall market. Good stuff.
De Festival - The 35th Angoulême International Comics Festival recently wrapped (on Sunday). The official event website is an solid surf [link] but the award for best US coverage of the event would have to go to The Comics Reporter [link]. You can check out video from the awards presentation here [link] and get a full rundown of the awards presented here [link].
Great Relaunch - If you haven't yet noticed, it's worth checking out the new Fantagraphics Books website [link]. The Seattle based comic and book publisher has not only offered fans a great new look but packed the site up with features.
This is the end... - Always enjoyable... Mike Sterling's Progressive Ruin digs through the February 2008 Previews [link] for certain signs that this crop of merchandise will herald the end of civilization.
Solar Rules! - Being a Valiant fan and having discovered Solar during the revitalization of the character in the 90's, I was eventually drawn into checking out the 60's Gold Key issues. That said, the current Solar send up over at Dial B for Blog [link] was an instant winner with me.
Platinum's Public - Stock investors may want to take note (or yawn) that Platinum Studios went public today. Variety's Bags and Boards [link] has a great summary of today's market action.
It's comic history too... - Brian Hughes' Again With the Comics blog [link] has been serving up some sexy, classic comic tidbits over the last few weeks and sharing them mixed with a bit of humor. On January 18th it was Ask Golden Age Wonder Woman [link] and again on the 28th with Mexican Spider-Man's Super Sexy Bikini Adventures [link]. Speaking sexy, don't miss the Frank Cho Ultimates cover which Lying in the Gutters [link] unveiled with Rich Johnston's latest update.
Jeff Smith Speaks - Sure we've been pointing this out in our forum [link] but Publisher's Weekly's two part conversation with Jeff Smith [link, link] has been top notch reading.
More Alan Moore - This one's a two parter. First over on ¡Journalista! [link] under pop comics they share a link to the 2003 documentary The Mindscape of Alan Moore [link] in streaming video. Also on the Moore front, Lying in the Gutters' [link] Rich Johnston shares details on a new Alan Moore project titled "Unearthing" which will be a photo-illustrated hardcover novel. Rich points to some interesting initial visuals [link] from the work.
Comforting Art - Enjoy great comic art? Check out Adam & Comfie's Art Blog [link]. Just scroll down that page and I think you'll see why I included it in this round of 13. I met these two at Mid-Ohio-Con and have been following their work every since.
Mavel + Zombie + Fan Film - Leave it to Kung-Fu Rodeo to find the interesting stuff that's a little off the beaten track. This time out they've tracked down a rather impressive Marvel Zombie fan film [link] you should check out.
Occasional Expansion - Occasional Superheroine has announced on her blog [link] that she's expanding things targeting more interviews, guest commentators and an "Ain't It Cool News" approach to comics. If past quality content is any indication, this is worth watching.
Solid discussion - I'm going to end this round with an in house pointer. Over in our forum there is a running discussion [link] regarding getting THE CALL from Diamond. Comments in the thread include contributions by Alterna Comics, Big City Comics, Spinner Rack Comics, Cinemacomics, Near Mint Press and others. At the very least, it's quite the interesting read as small press publishers weign in on Diamond and getting their titles to market.
Until next time, cheers!
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