GLAAD Announced Five Outstanding Comic Books that Showcase the LGBT Community

The 25th Annual GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comic Book will be awarded in New York on May 3rd. According to the website “The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives.”  Nominated this year are: Batwoman (DC) , Live with Archie(Archie), Husbands(Dark Horse Comics), Fearless Defenders(Marvel) and Young Avengers(Marvel). LGBT characters in comic books have a long and complex history (Seduction of the Innocent, anyone?)…but have recently been more accepted in the comic book community.

Collected in Batwoman: Elegy by DC Comics

Batwoman already won the award for Outstanding Comic Book twice. Once in 2010 at the 21st GLAAD Media Awards when she was featuring in Detective Comics and written by her creator, Greg Rucka. Rucka’s stint as writer, collected in the Batwoman:Elegy graphic novel, showed a griping tale of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and how the military brat joined and got kicked out of the military she grew up with. Her journey was illustrated by J.H. Williams who went on to write and co-illustrate with W. Haden Blackman the character in the new52 universe, keeping many of the themes, characters and brilliant artwork of the predecessor. Williams and Blackman won another GLAAD Outstanding Comic Book Award in 2011. The team just recently left the book because of DC Mandate: Superheroes, even gay superheroes, cannot be married in this day and age.

Speaking of marriage: Husbands is Brad Bell and Jane Espenson’s online sitcom about, well, husbands. Dark Horse and the creators published a digital first 6 issue miniseries in 2012, released last year in collected hardcover form. The series was nominated for two Geekie Awards for Best Writing and Most Original Concept. Comic Book adaptations are all the rage following DC’s Smallville Season 11,The Vampire Diaries and Marvel’s Once Upon A Time graphic novels. 

Archie's Life With Archie

Archie Comic's "grown up" series Life With Archie is called: The Married Life, written by Paul Kupperberg,really is two series in one, each story is a serial about life after Archie Andrews married Betty(or Veronica). Both alternate futures feature the same cast but sometimes in drastically different situations. Cheryl Blossom lost her signature red hear and is battling cancer. Kevin Keller, introduced to the world in 2010 by creator Dan Parent, is still around in Archie's future. He goes overseas with the military then marries his boyfriend and runs for office. This series, along with Afterlife with Archie, really make these timeless characters fit into any situation and target very different audiences. The Kevin Keller solo series won last year's award.

Astonishing X-Men 51(Marvel)

Never far from the trend comes Marvel's newest newlywed. Jean- Paul Beubier, is the Canadian superhero and part time X-Man Northstar, who publicly came out in the historic Alpha Flight #106 (1992) –the first Marvel character to do so. The X-Men themselves a metaphor for society’s treatment on minorities, more apparent when the fictional Legacy virus rivaled the AIDS epidemic, Jean Paul married his long term boyfriend slash manager , Kyle Jinadu in 2012’s Astonishing X-Men 51, written by Marjorie Liu. The couple, under Liu’s pen, encountered present day issues that LGBT couples face, mainly immigration status under federal equality (Northstar is Canadian, living in New York) and more universal problems like struggling with your partner’s success…or what to do when your partner is a superhero-a bit deeper than the Lois Lane syndrome. 

Young Avengers 13(Marvel)

Also by Marvel: Young Avengers premiered in 2005 with a whole new team loosely related to the Avengers.  In 2006, it won a Harvey Award and a the GLAAD Outstanding Comic Award. The team, originally written by Allen Heinberg, has a gay couple at its heart-Hulking(a green half-breed of warring alien races) and Wiccan(The Avenger's Scarlet Witch's secret son). Heinberg's Volume 1 lasted 12 issues and a special. Volume two(not counting various mini series) just ended with issue 15.The recent series geared towards a whole new generation with tumblr stylized recaps and lots of relationship drama- all written by series scribe Kieron Gillen.


Marvel’s recently cancelled after 13 issues, Fearless Defenders can be seen as the Marvel version of DC’s Birds of Prey-an all woman superhero team kicking butt and taking names. Cancelled for low sales, it does have a strong on-line following and good critical reviews…Marvel NOW is all about titles reincarnating like the Phoenix. Here is a write up on what could be the series break out new LBGT star: Ren Kimura.

The five nominated books come from many demographics- female and teen readers, those who like "married adventures", and the classic superheroes with a new twist. Unfortunately, three of the five comics have already ended at the time of writing-with Batwoman missing its creators that instilled so much heart in the issue. But in any event, 2013 was a monumental year with big steps to inclusion.

Past winners of the GLAAD award include Marvel’s X-Factor(2011), DC’s Green Lantern(2003) and Catwoman(2004), Fantagraphic Books’ Luba(2005),Terry Moore’s Strangers in Paradise published by Abstract Studio(2008), Dark Horse’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer(2009) as well as Alison Bechdel’s autobiographical Fun Home(2007). The winners and nominees come from all different publishers and genres with a variety of protagonists, truly showcasing the budding diversity in comics.

Voulez-vous aller au Festival international de la bande dessinée d'Angoulême?

The 41st Angoulême International Comics Festival kicked off today, lasting til Sunday the 2nd. Starting in 1974 in France- this annual event gets over 200,000 visitors qualifying it for the second largest comic convention in the world after Tokyo’s biannual Comiket. Much like the Olympic Villiage, the convention is spread out all over the city of Angoulême. 

Last year, 31 countries participated in the 400 meetings, workshops, panels, shows and presentations. Seven THOUSAND professionals were present (along with 1600 artists and 260 exhibitors). This is a large event. This year boast’s Argentine Mafalda’s 50th birthday with a special appearance by her creator Quino, 80 years of Mickey (Mouse) Journal , youth talent searches and career guidance/training, a focus on digitization of comics, and a “drawing concert” .

Every year they reward prizes (trophies). More lively than the Grammys, the Grand Jury decides the Heritage Award, Best Series Award, Best Newcomer Award and Best Comic Book Award. The public pick the Culture People’s Choice Award and 8-12 year olds pick their own Young Readers’ Award. They also have a Discovery Awards ceremony aimed towards young up and coming talent and schools-in France there are schools dedicated just to comics. All the winners are posted here as they are announced(check back Sunday.

Among the nominated comics are Joseph Lambert’s Anne Sullivan & Helen Keller, Marvel’s Hawkeye by Matt Fraction and illustrated by the innovative David Aja, Brian K Vaughan(Y the Last Man, Dues Ex Machina, Runaways) and Fiona Staple’s sci-fi soap opera Saga and many other international selections. 

Le Fauve, Angoulême's mascot created by Lewis Trondheim

The Grand Prix is rewarded to a living creator for their spectacular achievement in comics. Past winners are Will Eisner(1975, creator of The Spirit), Underground Comix master Robert Crumb(1999),  and Maus creator/ The New Yorker cartoonist Art Spiegelman(2011).This year's contenders are Bill Watterson(Calvin and Hobbs), Katsuhiro Ottomo(Akira) and Alan Moore(V for Vendetta, Watchmen, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen). The winner “gets” to Grand Marshall next year’s event and take part in the planning. Publishers Weekly details controversy and gossip among the awards quite eloquently.


Here is the 38 page English press kit. Keep an eye on the event’s Instagram or polish off your French on the official webpage.

X-Mania

Empire Magazine has released pictures of their 25 collectible covers for the month of March in celebration for Bryan Singer's return to unite the X-Men franchises with X-Men: Days of the Future Past. The seventh X-Men film (X-Men(2000), X2 (2003), X-Men: The Last Stand(2006), X-Men:Origins Wolverine (2009), X-Men: First Class(2011), and The Wolverine(2013)) but soon to be followed with its own sequel, again directed by Singer, X-Men : Apocalypse- to be released May 27th, 2016. X-Men: Days of the Future Past opens May 23rd in the US. Comic fans in France and Belgium are treated with an early release on  the 21st with the rest of Europe following suite on the 22nd. Be sure to stay after the credits are finished rolling as Marvel movies always include an extra special scene at the very end.
Here is a look at the covers, costumes and characters for the blockbuster.

Head on over to Empire Magazine to see the covers up close. The magazine with all 25 covers will go on British newsstands in March. 

The cast list is as followed:

Future

Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier

Hugh Jackman as Logan/Wolverine

Ian McKellen as Erik Lehnsherr

Halle Berry as Ororo Munroe/Storm

Ellen Page as Kitty Pryde

Shawn Ashmore as Bobby Drake/Iceman

Daniel Cudmore as Peter Rasputin/Colossus

Omar Sy as Lucas Bishop

Booboo Stewart as James Proudstar/Warpath

Fan Bingbing as Clarice Ferguson/Blink

Adan Canto as Roberto DaCosta/Sunspot

Anna Paquin as Rogue (In deleted scene only)

Past

James McAvoy as Charles Xavier/Professor X

Michael Fassbender as Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto

Jennifer Lawrence as Raven Darkholme/Mystique

Nicholas Hoult as Henry McCoy/Beast

Peter Dinklage as Bolivar Trask

Evan Peters as Pietro Maximoff/Quicksilver

Josh Helman as William Stryker, Jr.

Lucas Till as Alex Summers/Havok

Evan Jonigkeit as Mortimer Toynbee/Toad

Buena Vista Home Entertainment/Marvel

Aside from the seven X-Films, X-Men already stared on the small screen with four series(X-Men:The Animated Series(1992), X-Men:Evolution(2000), Wolverine and the X-Men(2008), and Marvel Anime:X-Men(2011) and a pilot-1989's Kitty Pryde and the X-Men. Many X-Men have had cameos in multiple marvel animated series. The uncanny mutants have countless video games, action figures, and of course...comic books. Their past has shone brightly since their creation in 1963 by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee, they will be mainstays for the future. Feeling nostalgic? Find your favorite mutant in this great write up by Buzzfeed's Matthew Perputa: 94 X-Men Members: From Worst to Best . They left out some characters but number six on the list will always be number one to me. 

What are YOU doing to celebrate Brazilian National Comic Book Day?

Here's what Belo Horizonte, home of the biggest Comic Convention in the Americas, has planned:

Tomorrow, January 30th, Brazil celebrates National Comic Book Day. And the city of Belo Horizonte, commemorates the date with their event “9th National Comic Book Day”, under the coordination of the National Cultural Comic Association(Associação Cultural Nação HQ), to take place in the New Sales Cultural Center(Centro Cultural Venda Nova).

The activities start at 2 PM. Those who visit the cultural center will also have the opportunity to see the exposition :Fantastic Journey to the World of the Yesteryear, with 20 selections that will track the first comic stories with works from Joseph Franz von Goz (Lenardo and Blandine- The first graphic illustrated novel in 1783), Rudolph Topffer (The Adventures of Obadiah Oldbuck- published in Paris in 1837 with captioned cartoon panels), Wilhelm Busch (Max and Moritz, 1865 German illustrated story), Angelo Agostini (The Adventures of Nhô Quim, 1869, Brazil) and American Richard Outcault (The Yellow Kid, 1894).

Another exposition is Comic Book Icons, where artists portray comic characters that have some special meaning for them. Ivan Costa, member of the curation team of the International Festival of Comics of Belo Horizonte (FIQ), provided the project development.

The 9th National Comic Book Day has the support of Studio A4, Black Ink Studios, Illustrator Portal, Nanquim Studios, Academic Boardmember Carlos Drummond de Andrade from the Federal Univeristy of Minas Gerais(UFMG)’s College of Arts and the city of Belo Horizonte, through the Belo Horizonte Municipal Foundation of Culture.

All the activities are free and open, without the need to sign up, but subject to capacity restrictions.

Here is the list of activities:

2 PM- Script Workshop :He died, now what?

 4 PM- Workshop: Small doses of Comics 

7 PM- Comic book artists and fans meetup

 8 PM: Musical presentation: O Monomotor Band plays

(Original article Belo Horizonte Comemora o Dia do Quadrinho Nacional written by Samir Naliato on January 29th, 2014. Translated and reprinted with permission from Universo HQ)

This celebration seems a lot more focused on a day of remembrance and preserving the past rather than focusing on the "Now" like Sao Paulo's Angelo Agostini Awards. Two great events celebrating the long and diverse history of comics. 

Happy Comic Book Day(in Brazil)

Brazilian National Comic Book Day is celebrated on January 30th and winners of the 30th Angelo Agostini Trophy were announced, presented by the Association of Cartoonists and Comic Book Artists of Sao Paulo State.

Here’s the winners:

Best Artist - Shiko (Piteco – Ingá, O Azul Indiferente do Céu)
Best Writer- Gustavo Duarte (Chico Bento – Pavor Espaciar)
Best Cartoonist- Angeli
Best Release-Meninos e Dragões (Editora Abril)
Best Independent Release- Melhor Lançamento independente – Plataforma HQ
Best Fanzine- Quadrinhos Ácidos(Acidic comics)
Jayme Cortez Award- Sidney Gusman(Current planning editor of Mauricio de Sousa Produções, major contributor to comic book literature in Brazil) Award is named after the influential Brazilian Artist
Masters of National Comic- Byrata(artist), Lourenço Mutarelli(Writer, playwright, artist) e Paulo Paiva Lima(Ze Carioca)


The event will take place the next day, February 1st at the Latin America Memorial Library, São Paulo.

The schedule as follows:

1 PM- Opening of the Masters of the National Comic Book exposition
1:30 PM- Release of the Pickles Magazine’s “Just Chicks” and “Flavio Land” by Flavio Almeida with an appearance by the authors.
2 PM- Tribute to Renato Canini, Exhibition of the short Kactus Canini Kid by Lancast Mota, Chat about the life and work of the artist- with Fernando Ventura, Lancast Mota, Primaggio Mantovi and Izomar Camargo Guilherme
3 PM- 30 Years of Angelo Agostini Debate with Worney A. Souza, Franco de Rosa, Jal and Eduardo Vetillo
4 PM- Screening of the new, never before seen documentary :Unraveling Sangelo Agostini- 30 years of Association of Cartoonists and Comic Book Artists(AQC)
4:30 PM- Im Memoriam- tribute to the comic book artists who died in 2013
5 PM- The awards to the best in National Comics are given out

(Original article Divulgados os vencedores do 30º Troféu Angelo Agostini by Marcelo Naranjo on January 27, 2014. Translated and reprinted with permission from Universo HQ.)

Angelo Agostini was Brazil's first cartoonist. Born 1843 in Italy and then moving to Brazil. In 1869 he published The Adventures of Nhô Quim- first comic published in Brazil. He also created The Adventures of Ze Caipora which was published in his own Don Quixote Magazine(1985-1906). With Luiz Bartolomeu de Sousa, Agostini created Tico Tico(1905) magazine- Brazil's primier Children's magazine . He died in Rio de Janeiro in 1910 and in 1982 was honored with a comic book award named after him.

In comparison, Richard F Outcault’s Yellow Kid ran from 1895 to 1898 and is widely regarded as the first US comic strip.

September 25th is National day of comics here in the US. Comic Book Resources has a lot to say on THAT matter. Free Comic Book Day is the first Saturday in May, usually celebrating the start of the Superhero summer blockbuster movie season…Head over to ComicShopLocator to find your nearest store and FCBD to see what is being offered this year!

Breaking News: Turma da Monica Goes Stateside

Bleeding News just broke the news that Brazil's Turma da Monica(Monica's Gang) is coming stateside! News is scarce for now but it seems like the newly granted trade mark goes for a huge list of products and expands to digital rights...digital publishing would be a first for Mauricio de Sousa Productions! Read here for the full article.



Their new name will be Monica and Friends. A dangerous gamble considering the results of searching "Monica" and "Friends" on any search engine.  The real logo...seen below includes Monica and many friendly faces. If they follow the naming from the Monica's Gang publication:(from Left to Right: Blu(the dog, who is blue), Franklin, Jimmy Five, Monica, Maggy, Smudge, Angel(floating), and Sunny.


The Toy Industry Association's New York Toy Fair is February 16-19th and I wouldn't be surprised to see some product there. London's Toy Fair was held last week from the 21st to the 23rd.


I will be sure to keep the blog up to date with developing information and cannot wait for America to meet Monica's Gang...and her Friends!

Mauricio de Sousa Produções

Comic-Con Goes to Brazil!

Comic-Con, the biggest comic and entertainment convention in the United States, will get a Brazilian version at the end of the year. According to the Brazilian magazine, Veja, the event will take place December fourth until December seventh at the Center of Immigrant Expositions in São Paulo. Other than comics, there will also be attractions featuring games, movies and TV shows. The event organization is done by Pierre Mantovani, who is now president of Comic Con Brasil and also the general director of the Brazilian entertainment site Omelete. The Brazilian edition will be called Comic-Con Experience.

The event will follow the same molds as its North American predecessors, mainly San Diego Comic-Con International. Big names in entertainment should appear and their participation will begin to be confirmed in the coming months. The organization is in contact with Disney, Marvel, DC, Paramount, Warner Brothers and other studios.

So far, 20 vendors or collectibles are confirmed, along with the presence of Brazilian artists likes Eddy Barrows and Greg Tocchini.

The event already has its own profile on Twitter.

(Original article Comic-Con chega ao Brasil em dezembro by Samir Naliato, Jan 27, 2014. Translated with permission from Universo HQ)

São Paulo last year added a "Brasil Comic Con" section to their popular Anime Friends convention last year with little international attention. As mentioned previously FIQ- International Festival of Comics (held in Belo Horizonte in November) has huge attendance numbers and last year had talent from DC Comics pay a visit. I will be sure to keep an eye on developments!

Marvel Now! New 52! All new number 1! Collectible first issue!

Some argue that high numbered comic series ward off new customers, often with intricate plots and complex characters appearing and disappearing more often than your favorite soap opera. Comics become a commitment; miss a month and you are lost. How many Robins were there? Magneto dated who? It is intimidating.

For this reason, DC Comics decided that starting in September 2011, they would restart their whole line with 52 number one issues. Comics that had not been renumbered since they debuted in the 30’s had a fresh start…for better or worse. Action Comics (where Superman appeared in 1938) ended at 904, the Superman solo series ended with 714, Batman’s Alma mater Detective Comics: 881. Wonder Woman: 614 and Batman solo 713. Adventure Comics rounded off the high numbers with 529. Curiously enough, DC Comics celebrated Detective Comics would be 900th issue in April with volume 2’s issue 19. January’s highest issue number was 27.

DC Comic's Detective Comics 900

Marvel comics not far behind, followed suit with a Marvel.NOW initiative, slowly phasing out their series with new lineups, creative teams and story plots…yet keeping their history intact for the most part. Uncanny X-Men ended June 2011 with issue 544. Amazing Spider-Man ended with 700(2012), Captain America (and the Black Widow) ended with multiple money-grabbing name changes with its 640th issue. Invincible Iron Man= 527. Fantastic Four=611. They laid to rest their oldest series in October, Journey into Mystery was 655 issues long. Like DC, the publisher still has an eye for history when convenient and will celebrate Ultimate Spider-Man 200 in April, counting the series multiple volumes, one shots and miniseries with very confusing math. This month’s oldest series is Daredevil with 35 issues. Yet, it will not grow old as it is cancelled next month with issue 36; all new number one on the way!

Marvel Comic's Ultimate Spider-Man 200, out in April

Archie Comics is business as usual with this month’s Archie 652. Disney, a staple in children’s comics ended its partnership with Boom Studios in August 2011(due to buying out Marvel). Their highest number at the time was the 1940’s series Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories 720. Disney comics have been missing from the racks since.


Save for Disney, all of these comics were in house publications. The numbers game is a tricky one. Bad sales aside, the higher numbers stand the test of time, what they lack in new reader friendliness, they make up for in trust. “This comic lasted this long, it must be good”. With the absence of all the old comics, their history and three digit counts, the comic industry is uncertain. Will we reach 900 again without combining multiple series, changing names and adding decimal points? Let me know the answer in 75 years. Until then, keep buying the first issues just in case.


In Brazil, Turma da Monica(Monica’s Gang) have been only going forward and not stopping. Since the creation of the line of children stories Monica, Jimmy Five(Cebolinha), Chuck Billy(Chico Bento), Smudge(Cascão) and Maggy (Magali) have had residence in three notable publishers. Most recently sold in 2007 to Panini Comics, they are seeing their 85th issues this month. In 2011, Mauricio de Sousa Productions celebrated 500 issues of Monica, counting the previous series from past publishers( Abril and Globo). Monica’s main rival, Jimmy Five is going to hit 500 in February-expect a very special issue next month. The comics are 64 to 80 pages long, containing one to twenty page stories that are light on continuity(like most all ages books). Read the translated article below detailing Monica’s 500th.
Meanwhile , Pato Donald(Donald Duck) 2,427 is available on Brazilian newsstands this month by Abril. Yes, that is two thousand, four hundred and twenty seven.

Abril

Monica reaches 500 issues

Panini/ MSP

After 40 years, in which the character moved houses-going from three publishers- and appeared better, not fatter, than ever- Monica’s comic just achieved a historic 500 issues. Created by Mauricio de Sousa in 1963, the girl in the red dress with the blue bunny in her arms gained her own comic in 1970 by Abril editors.

Two hundred issues later, in 1987, she went on to be published by Globo publishers, who put out 246 editions of the comic book. And, in 2007, she moved to her current house, Panini, who is sending out it’s issue 54 this week-actually Monica’s 500th issue.

Mauricio’s character grew up over the years, the license adding an adolescent version of the character, dating her childhood neighbor, Cebolinha(Jimmy Five), But, aside from the success of “Monica Teen”, the classic version of the gang continues strong and solid with clever stories. That is what we can read in this special edition 500th issue.

There are two comic stories in the issue. In the first: Monica, Magali, Cebolinha(Jimmy Five) and Cascao(Smudge) and Jotalhao(Thunder) discover that all their tokens of these 40 years of adventure have disappeared from the memory room. With the help of the magic pencil of Marina, they head off in search of the treasure that we all keep inside of us. Pure poetry.

In the second story, staring Cebolinha (whose magazine will lag two years and two months to reach number 500, he complains), we discover that a different character took Monica’s place in the commemoration of the historical brand. What if she was never the most popular-and strongest- of the street? All it takes is a little time travel to try fix the past.

(Article written by Telio Nevaga on June 20th, 2011. Read the original article here) 

Best news of the week- 1/19-1/25

*DC Comics released their April Solicitations. With that comes the news that six titles are ending. Nothing new with the revolving door that has been the New52's out with the old, in with more new number 1's. Among the cancelled are four of the original titles (Nightwing, Teen Titans, Stormwatch, and Suicide Squad), Superman Unchained, as well as the phased out Justice League of America(Upgrading to Justice League United).
*Batman takes over with a weekly series that is planned to run for 52 weeks. Batman Eternal is set to be written by Kyle Higgins(Nightwing), Scott Snyder(Batman, Superman Unchained), Tim Seeley(Hack/Slash), Ray Fawkes(Constantine, Justice League Dark), James Tynion IV(Red Hood and the Outlaws, Talon), and a brief stint with John Layman(Chew, Planetary).
 *World's Finest also confirmed the all ages Beware the Batman comic is ending its run prematurely with issue 6. Cartoon Network has yet to announce when the animated series is returning.

Valiant Entertainment

*DC quietly released a direct to video animated special this past Tuesday in an exclusive deal with Target stores. Director Giancarlo Volpe (Green Lantern the Animated Series) returns to lead a medley of voice talent and superheroes in this 55 minute movie, updated from a classic Superfriends episode. Read Volpe's interview with comicbook.com here!

*"Anyone can be killed" is something any comic book fan would roll their eyes at. But, Valiant Entertainment is promising "dead is dead" in their two year old universe. A main character of their team book Harbinger is going to bite the bullet. Read more at USA Today. 

*Astute Ninja Turtles fans have found what could be the first picture portraying how the turtles will appear in the new film (directed be Jonathan Liebesman with Megan Fox as April O' Neil). This Michelangelo children's costume has pants, sunglasses, tattoos and dog tags. 

Aniplex/Cartoon Network

IDW/ Cartoon Network

 *The Powerpuff Girls returned to TV this week for a special which aired Monday on Cartoon Network. IDW got some flack for an upcoming variant cover which "sexualized" the young superheroes and Cartoon Network quickly pulled the plug on the cover. Meanwhile, the brand already had success with a more grown up appearance overseas with their Powerpuff Girls Z anime.

ComiXology's audience...on a map.

ComiXology, the number one non-game app in the US and preferred book app in France, Germany, Spain, Britain and Belgium. So what? Comics are a high art in France and Belgium. BD (Bande dessinée) is known as the 9th art. From the countries that brought the world Tintin, the Smurfs, and Marsupilami and popular comic albums are released yearly...this is surprising that they have accepted the new technology with open arms. The fact that 49% of ComiXology users are outside the US make me curious to see tablet sales worldwide, but wifi, internet access, and availability(and affordability) of tablets need to be factored in all the data. I am curious about what languages the releases are in. 15 Cuban users qualifies as "needs love" but zero is "send help" (North Korea, Yemen, Eritrea)...does language, poverty, popularity and politics factor in? How many comics were sold in other countries that needing "love"? I will be reaching out to ComiXology for more information on this. Does the catalog offerings change from country to country? India, Spain, The Philippines, Mexico, Australia, Brazil, Italy, China and Japan all have relatively strong domestic markets. One thing is for sure: where comic book stores may have limited distribution, digital offers have truly become world wide(minus 3 countries).

According to Robot 6, 20% of its readership is female. The anonymity of online comic book buying may account for its popularity (think of how Redbox took away the shame of the check out person judging your movie taste). Check out the ComiXology website for great deals on bundle packs, including many free and discounted issues.

Intro to Monica: 101

Mauricio de Sousa Produções

Brazilian cartoonist Mauricio de Sousa marked 2013 -The Year of the Bucktooth...his short, fat, bucktoothed creation (lovingly based on his own daughter) celebrated 50 years of existence. As old as the X-Men,The Doom Patrol, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Doc Strange, Nick Fury and the Avengers first team up, Monica- introduced as a secondary character to Cebolinha-"Little Onion" christened in the English adaptation as Jimmy Five-both referencing his five strands of hair.
The year was marked with many retrospectives- special edition art books, commemorative chocolates and key chains; instant noodles had special packaging, Cartoon Network Brazil held marathons and commercials made with stars(animated and real) wishing the character happy birthday. The comic books got in on the action as well: in September, offering a "augmented reality" cover- smartphones activate a 3D scene- collect all four character's books and unlock the party.
Around Sao Paulo (where the publisher is located) 50 commemorative statues, designed by 50 different artists, were placed around the city as a "parade". Rhode Island's ode to Mr. Potato Head and the Cow parade, come to mind...but has this been done before with a comic book character?
Watch the video to learn more about Monica and her creator and stay tuned for much more news on Brazil's darling!

Mauricio de Sousa Produções