Comics On The Small Screen

Television is changing its face and format. Many alternatives for TV already exist for TV appropriate content, like Netflix and Amazon, who are also developing original series like Bosch and The After. The video game platform Playstation, by Sony Entertainment, will be used to exhibit an adaptation of Powers, the comic series by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming.

Xbox will be used as an original content platform by Microsoft to enter in this new market. Xbox Entertainment Studios will adapt the romance comic, Gun Machine, by Warren Ellis, and Winterworld, by Chuck Dixon and Jorge Zaffino, by IDW, as a TV series. The new content will be distributed through the Xbox Originals program.

Aside from these two programs, another ten series are in development by Xbox Entertainment Studios.

Gun Machine will be executively produced by Warren Ellis, together with Brett Conrad, from The Killing and Sons of Anarchy. The story takes place in New York and follows a string of crimes involving a bizarre assassin.

In Winterworld, the world is frozen solid, stuck in an eternal winter, and the survivors organize themselves in tribes who are fighting over the little resources left over. The production team includes Ted Adams(CEO of IDW), David Ozer, Rick Jacobs, and Dave Alpert.

The other series in development include: Deadlands, based on an RPG by Shane Lacy Hensley; Extraordinary Believer, a product of the Robot Chicken team; Fearless is a project of an Australian producer, and a comedy, currently without a set title, from the comedy team JASH(founded by Sarah Silverman, Michael Cera, Tim an Eric, and Reggie Watts).

(Original article: Histórias de Warren Ellis e Chuck Dixon serão adaptadas para TV pela XBox Entertainment, by Sergio Codespoti, on April 29, 2014. Reprinted and translated with permission by UniversoHQ)

Television is still a big place to see comic book series adapted, but it is no longer the only venue. SyFy channel announced today at their close-up presentation they will be adapting four comic book programs for TV. Frank Miller’s Ronin (DC Comics miniseries, 1983) is being produced by Warner Horizon Television and DC Entertainment. The ronin is a samurai from the 13th century looking for his nemesis in today’s world. Pax Romana, a 2007 miniseries written by Jonathan Hickman for Image Comics has Stephen Scalia (Warehouse 13) and David Alpert (The Walking Dead), and Hickman acting as executive producers. It tells the story of a time traveling group that needs to go back in time to Ancient Rome to prevent a third World War. Clone, written by Juan Jose Ryp for Skybound Entertainment/Image Comics, will be produced by Alpert and Robert Kirkman(creator of The Walking Dead). It will be written by David Schulner (Dracula). Clone is about Luke Taylor, a doctor who just discovered he is part of a cloning project. Letter 44, by Alberto Alburquerque for Oni Press, will go into production by Universal Television and Universal Cable Productions with Jonathan Mostow (Terminator 3) as writer, producer and director. Letter 44 is about a new president who is bequeathed a letter with information regarding aliens in an asteroid belt that NASA astronauts are currently investigating. Stay tuned to Culture of Comics for more information!

May is international comic book month!

May is international comic book month!

The 20th Annual FestComix will take place in Sao Paulo, Brazil from May 1st-4th.

Thursday will have panels about Marvel and DC, held by their foreign distributor, Panini Comics. Jheremy Raapack will talk about his work on Injustice for DC Digital. Translated manga and independent comics will also be discussed.

Friday : Joshua Dysart (Harbinger) will talk about reintroducing the Valiant Universe together with Brazilian distributor HQM. Shawn Martinbrough will talk about his work on Thief of Thieves. Cartoonists and editors will discuss the zombie invasion in comics. There will be a special panel preparing Brazilian national comics for international markets.

Saturday: Cartoonists talk about their favorite childhood heroes, Panini announces more Manga titles, and artists and writers talk about their work on Disney Comics. Jim Krueger ( Justice, Project Superheroes, Buffy)  will chat about his acclaimed work with Marvel, DC, and Dynamite.

Sunday, the festival will close with a celebration of Batman and Superman’s 75th, a round table talk with Will Conrad, Joe Bennet, Daniel HDR, and Marcelo Mailo about producing good artwork. Editor Sidney Gusman will talk about Graphics MSP with its creators Vitor Cagaggi, Danio Beyruth, and Gustavo Duarte. Jim Kreuger returns to talk about the Golden Age in the super hero world.

Also this weekend, in the United States, is the twelfth annual Free Comic Book Day. With involvement by practically all the major comic book companies in the business, each provides comic book stores across America with a free sample comic (often new stories). Some libraries also participate in FCBD, encouraging young readers. The program is all about outreach. It is aimed to introduce new readers; they even have a comic book explanation guide for those new to the comic book world. FCBD also strives to invite back readers who may have stopped collecting comics for one reason or another. It is also a thank you to current comic books readers.

The day also coincides with major motion picture releases based on comics. The first Free Comic Book Day followed the release of the first Spider-Man back in 2002. X2, Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man 3, Iron Man, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Iron Man 2, Thor, The Avengers, and Iron Man 3 all invited excited moviegoers to check out their local comic store on opening weekend to experience a piece of the magic that inspired these larger than life films. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 opens May 2nd.

Click here to see the 57 free comics offered this year. Many shops have limits on the amount of comics you can take. Most shops also have great sales and special offers to commemorate the important weekend. DC Comics made a map to track where their creators will be appearing on Saturday. Don’t know where your nearest comic shop is? Check out Comic Shop Locator.

Not to be left in the dust, France is celebrating their Bande dessinée this month. Why just one day? France is trying out 48 hours (2 days) of the BD. The website have yet divulge what comics will be available but will be offering 100,000 BD. The event will take place May 16 and 17. French publishers Casterman, Dargaud, Dupuis, Fluide Glacial, Wide Angle, Jungle, The Lombard and Urban Comics are all involved. 

A New Animated Project to Chew On

Tony Chu in Chew #1 (Image Comics)

In 2009, a truly different comic book entered the scene, published by Image Comics. Written by John Layman with art by Rob Guillory, Chew tells the tale of Tony Chu- a cibopath- a person with the ability to see the past-depending on what he ate. Tony works for the American Food and Drug Administration in their ongoing war to rid the world of poultry meat. More FBI than FDA, Chew is a zany comedy with surprising links to the human condition. The series won two Eisner Awards (Best New Series; Best Continuing Series) and two Harvey Awards (Best New Series; Best New Talent) and multiple collected editions have appeared on the New York Times Bestsellers List.

The series had a deal in 2011 to film a live-action pilot for Showtime but the series did not get picked up. Now, through Heavy Metal Entertainment, the ongoing comic series will have an animated adaption. Representing Heavy Metal is David Boxenbaum and Jeff Krelitz(Torchwood: Web of Lies; Peter Panzerfaust). Rob Guillory and John Layman are executive producers, with Layman the project’s scriptwriter. BBC exec Dan Tischler is also attached to the product. The animated project(not yet clarified as a movie or series) is projected for digital broadcast(perhaps through Netflix, Amazon, or Hulu) and DVD/Bluray release.

The Walking Dead’s Steven Yuen (Glen) will voice Tony Chu and Felicia Day, creator of The Guild webisodes, his love interest: Amelia Mintz. Amelia is a Saboscrivner with the ability to convey tastes (good or bad) in her articles about cuisine. Other characters in the comic include Tony’s astronaut twin sister (who can see the future when she eats food (Cibovoyant)), his crooked chef brother, angsty teenage daughter, and chicken craving FDA partner. These characters should all follow the same adequate casting. The comic series is illustrated in a cartoony and the food powers are so creative and crazy that Chew is made for animation.

Amelia Mintz in Chew # 39 (Image Comics)

Check out collected editions of Chew at your local library or download Chew #1 for free at ComiXology.

(via Multiversity and The Hollywood Reporter)

The Year of the Bat

If you walk into a comic book shop in July and see all Batman covers…don’t be fooled! DC is honoring Batman’s 75th anniversary in July by printing special edition covers on twenty one publications, Batman centric and otherwise. So far Jim Steranko, Kevin Nowlan, Klaus Janson, Walt Simonson, Graham Nolan, Cliff Chiang, Sean Murphy, Dave Johnson, Dan Jurgens, and Mike Kaluta have been announced, with more announcements on the way. Variant issues are nothing new, Marvel and DC have celebrated with line-wide special covers for various events (Lego versions, anniversaries, and breast cancer awareness).

The covers will appear on these titles:

ACTION COMICS #33
AQUAMAN #33
BATGIRL #33
BATMAN #33
BATMAN AND ROBIN #33
BATMAN/SUPERMAN #13
BATWOMAN #33
DETECTIVE COMICS #33
EARTH 2 #25
GRAYSON #1
GREEN LANTERN #33
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #33
HARLEY QUINN #8
JUSTICE LEAGUE #33
JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #33
JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED #3
SUPERMAN #33
SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN #10
TEEN TITANS #1
THE FLASH #33
WONDER WOMAN #33

Comics legend Jim Steranko's cover art to Detective Comics #33 out in July(DC Comics)

The special comics can be found at comic book stores. Find the closest comic book shop near you at Comic Shop Locator!(US and Canada only, sorry!)



DC animation is also celebrating Batman’s 75th. Bruce Timm(creator of the beloved Batman: The Animated Series and spin off series, including Justice League) produced a short in celebration. The short sets batman in the 1930s atmosphere he was created in. Watch the “Batman: Strange Days” below featuring the original voice actor, Kevin Conroy.

Darwyn Cooke, best known for The New Frontier miniseries showing the age of heroes among Kennedy’s administration, got his start storyboarding for the Batman cartoons. He animated the opening title sequence for Batman Beyond. Cooke returned to animation to produce a special Batman Beyond film, seen below, Conroy plays a retired Bruce Wayne and Terry McGinnis, the Batman of the future, is played by Will Friedle. 

If you were looking to celebrate Batman’s 75th, Bleeding Cool News published a feature about the 8 best Batman stories, results may vary.

Batman first appeared in 1939's Detective Comics # 27, created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger.

Popping Up Like Rabbits: Happy Easter

Today is Easter. Culture of Comics wants to take the opportunity to take a look at six notable rabbits who originated in comics. 

Bunnie Rabbot (Sonic the Hedgehog)

Bunnie Rabbot first appeared in Sonic the Hedgehog #3(October 1993) by Archie Comics. She appeared months later in the DIC cartoon, Sonic the Hedgehog, alongside other Freedom Fighters fighting against Doctor Robotnik. Half roboticized cyborg, half rabbit with a Southern drawl: the Rabbot has appeared as a loyal ally and even got married within the pages of the comic that won the Guinness World Record for the longest running comic book based on a video game.

Johnny Lightfoot (Sonic the Comic)

Across the pond, Sonic the Comic, published by Fleetway Editions, had its own rabbit character: Johnny Lightfoot. The character was created by Nigel Kitching and Richard Elson. The character, also an ally in the fight against Doctor Robotnik, tragically died  at the end of the series. Sonic the Comic ran from 1993-2002 and lives on in a fan made website with contributions from the original creators.

Miyamoto Usagi (Usagi Yojimbo)

Miyamoto Usagi was created by Stan Sakai. A masterless samurai(ronin), he was Inspired by Miyamoto Musashi. His story, an episodic look at a mystical Japan filled with all kinds of different animals(including dinosaurs) first appeared in Albedo Anthropomorphics #2 published by Thoughts and Images in November 1984. Since then, the ronin has appeared in Radio Comix, Mirage Studios, Fantagraphics Books, and currently, Dark Horse Comics. Usagi got his fame in cameos with the Ninja Turtles, appearing in the 80s cartoon, the 2003 4Kids revival, action figure lines and video games. Often misnamed as the series he stars in, Usagi Yojimbo means Rabbit Bodyguard in Japanese.

Hoppy the Marvel Bunny (Captain Marvel)

A popular genre in comics was, and still is, talking animals. Fawcett Comics, the creators of Captain Marvel, created Fawcett’s Funny Animals in 1942, staring Hoppy, created by Chad Gothkopf. Like Captain Marvel, Hoppy shouts ‘Shazam’ and gains magical powers granted by the gods. The properties were sold to Charlton Comics and the character’s name was changed to Magic Bunny. The Marvels finally found their home with DC Comics, appearing in various comics.

Captain Carrot (Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew)

Captain Carrot (and his Amazing Zoo Crew) first appeared in a 1982 issue of Teen Titans. He was created by Scott Shaw! And Roy Thomas. Originally Roger Rabbit, Rodney Rabbit is a writer and artist (an allusion to Superman’s day job at the Daily Planet). The  character and his Zoo Crew appeared in their own 20 issue series and various miniseries, even teaming up with characters from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Sansão(Turma da Mônica)

Samson in the English translations, Sansão is Monica’s stuffed blue rabbit. He was originally yellow when created by Brazilian Mauricio de Sousa in 1963- in the black and white comic strips.  Samson  is often the object of affection for the neighborhood boys to steal and also Monica’s weapon of choice when getting revenge. He wasn't named until the comic book held a contest to name the rabbit in 1983. 

Gabriel García Márquez Immortalized In a (Non-US) Comic Book

The publisher Editora Veneta just announced the release of Gabo- Memories of a Magic Life, a biography about the Colombian writer Gabriel García Márquez. The script is by Óscar Pantoja, winner of the Alejo Caprentier award in 2001, and illustrated by four Colombian graphic artists: Miguel Bustos, Felipe Camargo, Tatiana Córdoba and Julián Naranjo.

The graphic novel narrates the life of the writer from his childhood, in Aracataca, until winning the Nobel Prize in Literature, in 1982. The release will be in May, but the publisher hasn’t divulged details about the format or price.

The work was originally published by Spanish publisher Sins Entido, last year, and almost arrived in Brazil through Editora Record.  

Gabriel García Márquez died today, April 17, at 87, in his house in Mexico. He was fighting a relapse of cancer that struck his lungs, ganglion and liver. Weakened by the disease, he was receiving treatment in his house.

(Original article: Editora Veneta anuncia biografia deGabriel García Márquez em quadrinhos, written by Samir Naliato on April 17, 2014. Reprinted and translated with permission by UniversoHQ)

That was fast. Gabo has not been picked up by an English publisher yet. NBM, Fantagraphics, or Abrams could very likely translate and distribute the book stateside. Stay tuned to Culture of Comics for more information regarding the inevitable English language release. Bluewater Productions is famous for printing timely comic-styled biographies about celebrities, politicians or anyone else in the current events. 

(Comics) Award Season

GLAAD announced the now defunct Young Avengers (by Kieron Gillen) as the recipient of the Outstanding Comic Award at the 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards. See Culture of Comic's run through of the nominees.


The 2014 Eisner Award nominees were announced today. The Eisners celebrate the finished, released product (Short Stories, single issues, limited (mini) series, and ongoing series) as well as the people who help create the medium: writer, artist, painter, penciller, inker, coloring, and lettering. Best graphic novel, reprint, anthology, and archived collection and webcomic showcase the variety in the releases.

As comics try to find their roots with young audiences once more, some successes were pointed out: TOON Books, Dark Horse, First Second were nominated for their early reader books, Kids (8-12) and Teens (13-17) have their own categories. Eisner, a believer of comics as a studied art form, would be happy with the Comics-related book category and best scholarly/academic works (about comics). The prestigious award also celebrates U.S. editions of international works (Asia and elsewhere).  The Awards will be announced at San Diego Comic Con International on July 24-27. A new inductee will be announced for the Eisner Hall of Fame, as well.

Best Short Story

· “Go Owls,” by Adrian Tomine, in Optic Nerve #13 (Drawn & Quarterly)
· “Mars to Stay,” by Brett Lewis and Cliff Chiang, in Witching Hour (DC)
· “Seaside Home,” by Josh Simmons, in Habit #1 (Oily)
· “Untitled,” by Gilbert Hernandez, in Love and Rockets: New Stories #6 (Fantagraphics)
· “When Your House Is Burning Down, You Should Brush Your Teeth,” by Matthew Inman, theoatmeal.com/comics/house


Best Single Issue (or One-Shot)

· Demeter, by Becky Cloonan (self-published)
· Hawkeye #11: “Pizza Is My Business,” by Matt Fraction and David Aja (Marvel)
· Love and Rockets: New Stories #6, by Gilbert Hernandez and Jaime Hernandez (Fantagraphics)
· Viewotron #2, by Sam Sharpe (self-published)
· Watson and Holmes #6, by Brandon Easton, and N. Steven Harris (New Paradigm Studios)


Best Continuing Series

· East of West, by Jonathan Hickman and Nick Dragotta (Image)
· Hawkeye, by Matt Fraction and David Aja (Marvel)
· Nowhere Men, by Eric Stephenson and Nate Bellegarde (Image)
· Saga, by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples (Image)
· Sex Criminals, by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky (Image)


Best Limited Series

· The Black Beetle: No Way Out, by Francesco Francavilla (Dark Horse)
· Colder, by Paul Tobin and Juan Ferreyra (Dark Horse)
· 47 Ronin, by Mike Richardson and Stan Sakai (Dark Horse)
· Trillium, by Jeff Lemire (Vertigo/DC)
· The Wake, by Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy (Vertigo/DC)


Best New Series

· High Crimes, by Christopher Sebela and Ibrahim Moustafa (Monkeybrain)
· Lazarus, by Greg Rucka and Michael Lark (Image)
· Rat Queens, by Kurtis J. Wiebe and Roc Upchurch (Image/Shadowline)
· Sex Criminals, by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky (Image)
· Watson and Holmes, by Karl Bollers, Rick Leonardi, Paul Mendoza et al. (New Paradigm Studios)


Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 7)

· Benjamin Bear in Bright Ideas, by Philippe Coudray (TOON Books)
· The Big Wet Balloon, by Liniers (TOON Books)
· Itsy Bitsy Hellboy, by Art Baltazar and Franco (Dark Horse)
· Odd Duck, by Cecil Castellucci and Sara Varon (First Second)
· Otto’s Backwards Day, by Frank Cammuso (with Jay Lynch) (TOON Books)


Best Publication for Kids (ages 8-12)

· The Adventures of Superhero Girl, by Faith Erin Hicks (Dark Horse)
· Hilda and the Bird Parade, by Luke Pearson (Nobrow)
· Jane, the Fox, and Me, by Fanny Britt and Isabelle Arsenault (Groundwood)
· The Lost Boy, by Greg Ruth (Graphix/Scholastic)
· Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard, vol. 2, edited by David Petersen, Paul Morrissey, and Rebecca Taylor (Archaia/BOOM!)
· Star Wars: Jedi Academy, by Jeffrey Brown (Scholastic)


Best Publication for Teens (ages 13-17)

· Battling Boy, by Paul Pope (First Second)
· Bluffton: My Summers with Buster, by Matt Phelan (Candlewick)
· Boxers and Saints, by Gene Luen Yang (First Second)
· Dogs of War, by Sheila Keenan and Nathan Fox (Graphix/Scholastic)
· March (Book One), by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell (Top Shelf)
· Templar, by Jordan Mechner, LeUyen Pham, and Alex Puviland (First Second)


Best Humor Publication

· The Adventures of Superhero Girl, by Faith Erin Hicks (Dark Horse)
· The Complete Don Quixote, by Miguel de Cervantes and Rob Davis (SelfMadeHero)
· The (True!) History of Art, by Sylvain Coissard and Alexis Lemoine (SelfMadeHero)
· Vader’s Little Princess, by Jeffrey Brown (Chronicle)
· You’re All Just Jealous of My Jetpack, by Tom Gauld (Drawn & Quarterly)


Best Anthology

· Dark Horse Presents, edited by Mike Richardson (Dark Horse)
· Nobrow #8: Hysteria, edited by Sam Arthur and Alex Spiro (Nobrow)
· Outlaw Territory, edited by Michael Woods (Image)
· Smoke Signal, edited by Gabe Fowler (Desert Island)
· Thrilling Adventure Hour, by Ben Acker, Ben Blacker et al. (Archaia/BOOM!)


Best Digital/Webcomic


· As the Crow Flies, by Melanie Gillman, www.melaniegillman.com
· Failing Sky, by Dax Tran-Caffee, failingsky.com
· High Crimes, by Christopher Sebela and Ibrahim Moustafa (Monkeybrain), www.monkeybraincomics.com/titles/high-crimes/
· The Last Mechanical Monster, by Brian Fies, lastmechanicalmonster.blogspot.com
· The Oatmeal by Matthew Inman, theoatmeal.com


Best Reality-Based Work

· A Bag of Marbles, by Joseph Joffo, Kris, and Vincent Bailly (Graphic Universe/Lerner)
· The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story, by Vivek J. Tiwary, Andrew C. Robinson, and Kyle Baker (M Press/Dark Horse)
· Hip Hop Family Tree, vol. 1, by Ed Piskor (Fantagraphics)
· March (Book One), by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell (Top Shelf)
· Today Is the Last Day of the Rest of Your Life, by Ulli Lust (Fantagraphics)
· Woman Rebel: The Margaret Sanger Story, by Peter Bagge (Drawn & Quarterly)


Best Graphic Album—New

· Bluffton: My Summers with Buster, by Matt Phelan (Candlewick)
· The Encyclopedia of Early Earth, by Isabel Greenberg (Little, Brown)
· Good Dog, by Graham Chaffee (Fantagraphics)
· Homesick by Jason Walz (Tinto Press)
· The Property, by Rutu Modan (Drawn & Quarterly)
· War Brothers, by Sharon McKay and Daniel LaFrance (Annick Press)

Best Adaptation from Another Medium

· The Castle, by Franz Kafka, adapted by David Zane Mairowitz and Jaromír 99 (SelfMadeHero)
· The Complete Don Quixote, by Miguel de Cervantes, adapted by by Rob Davis (SelfMadeHero)
· Django Unchained, adapted by Quentin Tarantino, Reginald Hudlin, R. M. Guéra et al. (DC/Vertigo)
· Richard Stark’s Parker: Slayground, by Donald Westlake, adapted by Darwyn Cooke (IDW)
· The Strange Tale of Panorama Island, by Edogawa Rampo, adapted by Suehiro Maruo (Last Gasp)

Best Graphic Album—Reprint

· The Creep, by John Arcudi and Jonathan Case (Dark Horse)
· Hand-Drying in America and Other Stories, by Ben Katchor (Pantheon)
· Heck, by Zander Cannon (Top Shelf)
· Julio’s Day, by Gilbert Hernandez (Fantagraphics)
· RASL, by Jeff Smith (Cartoon Books)
· Solo: The Deluxe Edition, edited by Mark Chiarello (DC)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips

· Barnaby, vol. 1, by Crockett Johnson, edited by Philip Nel and Eric Reynolds (Fantagraphics)
· Percy Crosby’s Skippy Daily Comics, vol. 2: 1928–1930, edited by Jared Gardner and Dean Mullaney (LOAC/IDW)
· Prince Valiant vols. 6-7, by Hal Foster, edited by Kim Thompson (Fantagraphics)
· Society Is Nix: Gleeful Anarchy at the Dawn of the American Comic Strip, edited by Peter Maresca (Sunday Press)
· Tarzan: The Complete Russ Manning Newspaper Strips, vol. 1, edited by Dean Mullaney (LOAC/IDW)
· VIP: The Mad World of Virgil Partch, edited by Jonathan Barli (Fantagraphics)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Books

· Best of EC Artist’s Edition, edited by Scott Dunbier (IDW)
· Canteen Kate, by Matt Baker (Canton Street Press)
· In the Days of the Mob, by Jack Kirby (DC)
· MAD Artist’s Edition, edited by Scott Dunbier (IDW)
· Will Eisner’s The Spirit Artist’s Edition, edited by Scott Dunbier (IDW)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material

· Adventures of a Japanese Businessman, by Jose Domingo (Nobrow)
· Goddam This War! by Jacques Tardi and Jean-Pierre Verney (Fantagraphics)
· Incidents in the Night, Book One, by David B. (Uncivilized Books)
· Today Is the Last Day of the Rest of Your Life, by Ulli Lust (Fantagraphics)
· When David Lost His Voice, by Judith Vanistendael (SelfMadeHero)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia

· The Heart of Thomas, by Moto Hagio (Fantagraphics)
· The Mysterious Underground Men, by Osamu Tezuka (PictureBox)
· Showa: A History of Japan, 1926–1939, by Shigeru Mizuki (Drawn & Quarterly)
· Summit of the Gods, vol. 4, by Yemmakura Baku and Jiro Taniguchi (Fanfare/Ponent Mon)
· Utsubora: The Story of a Novelist, by Asumiko Nakamura (Vertical)

Best Writer

· Kelly Sue DeConnick, Pretty Deadly (Image); Captain Marvel (Marvel)
· Matt Fraction, Sex Criminals (Image); Hawkeye, Fantastic Four, FF (Marvel)
· Jonathan Hickman, East of West, The Manhattan Projects (Image); Avengers, Infinity (Marvel)
· Scott Snyder, Batman (DC); American Vampire, The Wake (DC/Vertigo)
· Eric Stephenson, Nowhere Men (Image)
· Brian K. Vaughan, Saga (Image)

Best Writer/Artist

· Isabel Greenberg, The Encyclopedia of Early Earth (Little, Brown)
· Jaime Hernandez, Love and Rockets New Stories #6 (Fantagraphics)
· Terry Moore, Rachel Rising (Abstract Studio)
· Luke Pearson, Hilda and the Bird Parade (Nobrow)
· Matt Phelan, Bluffton: My Summers with Buster (Candlewick)
· Judith Vanistendael, When David Lost His Voice (SelfMadeHero)

Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team

· Nate Bellegarde, Nowhere Men (Image)
· Nick Dragotta, East of West (Image)
· Sean Murphy, The Wake (DC/Vertigo)
· Nate Powell, March (Book One) (Top Shelf)
· Emma Ríos, Pretty Deadly (Image)
· Thomas Yeates, Law of the Desert Born: A Graphic Novel (Bantam)

Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (interior art)

· Andrew C. Robinson, The Fifth Beatle (Dark Horse)
· Sonia Sanchéz, Here I Am (Capstone)
· Fiona Staples, Saga (Image)
· Ive Svorcina, Thor (Marvel)
· Marguerite Van Cook, 7 Miles a Second (Fantagraphics)
· Judith Vanistendael, When David Lost His Voice (SelfMadeHero)


Best Cover Artist

· David Aja, Hawkeye (Marvel)
· Mike Del Mundo, X-Men Legacy (Marvel)
· Sean Murphy/Jordie Belaire, The Wake (DC/Vertigo)
· Emma Ríos, Pretty Deadly (Image)
· Chris Samnee, Daredevil (Marvel)
· Fiona Staples, Saga (Image)

Best Coloring

· Jordie Bellaire, The Manhattan Projects, Nowhere Men, Pretty Deadly, Zero (Image); The Massive (Dark Horse); Tom Strong (DC); X-Files Season 10 (IDW); Captain Marvel, Journey into Mystery (Marvel); Numbercruncher (Titan); Quantum and Woody (Valiant)
· Steve Hamaker, Mylo Xyloto (Bongo), Strangers in Paradise 20th Anniversary Issue 1 (Abstract Studio), RASL (Cartoon Books)
· Matt Hollingsworth, Hawkeye, Daredevil: End of Days (Marvel); The Wake (DC/Vertigo)
· Frank Martin, East of West (Image)
· Dave Stewart, Abe Sapien, Baltimore: The Infernal Train, BPRD: Hell on Earth, Conan the Barbarian, Hellboy: Hell on Earth, The Massive, The Shaolin Cowboy, Sledgehammer 44 (Dark Horse)

Best Lettering

· Darwyn Cooke, Richard Stark’s Parker: Slayground (IDW)
· Carla Speed McNeil, Bad Houses; “Finder” in Dark Horse Presents (Dark Horse)
· Terry Moore, Rachel Rising (Abstract Studio)
· Ed Piskor, Hip Hop Family Tree (Fantagraphics)
· Britt Wilson, Adventure Time with Fiona and Cake (kaBOOM!)

Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism

· Comic Book Resources, produced by Jonah Weiland, www.comicbookresources.com
· The Comics Journal #302, edited by Gary Groth and Kristy Valenti (Fantagraphics)
· Comics and Cola, by Zainab Akhtar, www.comicsandcola.com
· Multiversity Comics, edited by Matthew Meylikhov, www.multiversitycomics.com
· tcj.com, edited by Dan Nadel and Timothy Hodler (Fantagrapahics), www.tcj.com

Best Comics-Related Book

· Al Capp: A Life to the Contrary, by Michael Schumacher and Denis Kitchen (Bloomsbury)
· The Art of Rube Goldberg, selected by Jennifer George (Abrams ComicArts)
· Co-Mix: A Retrospective of Comics, Graphics, and Scraps, by Art Spiegelman (Drawn & Quarterly)
· Genius, Illustrated: The Life and Art of Alex Toth, by Dean Mullaney and Bruce Canwell (LOAC/IDW)
· The Love and Rockets Companion, edited by Marc Sobel and Kristy Valenti (Fantagraphics)

Best Scholarly/Academic Work

· Anti-Foreign Imagery in American Pulps and Comic Books, 1920–1960, by Nathan Vernon Madison (McFarland)
· Black Comics: Politics of Race and Representation, edited by Sheena C. Howard and Ronald L. Jackson II (Bloomsbury)
· Drawing from Life: Memory and Subjectivity in Comic Art, edited by Jane Tolmie (University Press of Mississippi)
· International Journal of Comic Art, edited by John A. Lent
· The Superhero Reader, edited by Charles Hatfield, Jeet Heer, and Ken Worcester (University Press of Mississippi)

Best Publication Design

· The Art of Rube Goldberg, designed by Chad W. Beckerman (Abrams ComicArts)
· Beta Testing the Apocalypse, designed by Tom Kaczynski (Fantagraphics)
· Genius, Illustrated: The Life and Art of Alex Toth, designed by Dean Mullaney (LOAC/IDW)
· The Great War: July 1, 1916: The First Day of the Battle of the Somme: A Panorama, by Joe Sacco, designed by Chin-Yee Lai (Norton)
· Little Tommy Lost, Book 1, designed by Cole Closser (Koyama)

ComiXology and Amazon: A New Comic Book Pairing

Amazon announced the acquisition of comiXology, one of the biggest platforms for digital comics in the world, further amplifying their presence in the online marketplace.

According to the company “comiXology revolutionized the digital comic reading experience with their immersive technology, and made it easier and fun to discover, buy and read comics and graphic novels.”

For the president and cofounder of comiXology, David Steinberger, Amazon is the ideal place for the platform and, working together, the companies will rush in a new era for the industry.

“The two companies share the passion in reinventing reading in a digital world. We invest in this market, building a team and bringing comics to more people”, confirmed David Naggar, president of Amazon.

ComiXolgy was founded in 2007, releasing comics from the principal publishers of the United States and also other parts of the world. The releases are available on platforms simultaneously as the printed versions arrive at comic book stores.

(Original article: Amazon compra plataforma de HQs digitais comiXology, written by Samir Naliato on April 11, 2014. Republished and translated with permission by UniversoHQ)



ComiXolgy, with Amazon’s visibility, could mean great things for the industry. ComiXolgy offered self publishing, retailer perks, and huge sales-not to mention free comics. ComiXology has been inching into the international community, with an office opened in France. Amazon’s Kindle offers books in many languages from all over the world. Read David Steinberger’s message on the merger on the comiXology website.

 Amazon has a fan-fiction initiative for the Kindle which “authorizes anyone to create and sell fan fiction” inspired by certain properties. Among the open properties are the Valiant Entertainment characters including Archer, Armstrong, X-O Manowar, Shadowman and Bloodshot. Find out more about that here. 

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Promises Big Changes- Red Herring or More Death Ahead?

A new poster from The Amazing Spider-Man 2: Rise of Electro was revealed, to be displayed at IMAX capable cinemas, and the image pays homage to the famous cover from the “Death of Gwen Stacy” story.

Rumors about the death of the character [in the movie universe] have been floating around for some time now, mostly because the story line is one of the most impacting for the hero in the comics. Mary Jane Watson was going to appear in the story, but her appearance was postponed for the third movie in the series.

The poster says “Secrets have a cost. The truth does too” and promises a turning point in the life of Spider-Man. See the comparison below between the movie poster and the original cover of The Amazing Spider-Man # 121, from 1973. 

Also: watch the TV spot promising that “Everything changes.” 

 

(Original Article: Novo pôster do filme do Homem-Aranha lembra morte de Gwen Stacy, written by Samir Naliato on April 10, 2014. Republished and translated with permission by Universo HQ)
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is directed by Mark Webb. Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone return to play Spider-Man and girlfriend Gwen Stacy, respectively. Newcomers to the series include Jamie Foxx as electric villain, Electro. Dane DeHaan as Peter’s childhood friend Harry Osborn. Both characters (a pre-mutated Max Dillon(Electro)) are present in the film poster. Chris Cooper will portray Osborn’s father, the industrialist Norman Osborn. The Rhino, Felicia Hardy (Black Cat),


At the end of last year, Sony Pictures announced two spin off movies featuring Venom and the the Sinister Six. Sinister Six, with Drew Goddard (Lost, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) directing, is said to be a “redemption story” of Spider-Man’s greatest foes. Spider-Man Andrew Garfield is contracted for three movies. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is out in theaters May 2^nd. 

Monica (comic) Books

The Brazilian publisher Editora Girassol will release, in participation with Maurico de Sousa Productions, two special editions in which Monica Teen(and her gang) interpret classics of world literature: Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson; and Midsummer Night’s Dream, by William Shakespeare.

MSP and Editora Girassol 

The new collection, baptized Monica Teen- Romances and Adventures, will bring Monica, Jimmy Five, Maggy and Smudge starring in the modern retellings of the plots. These are the first releases by Girassol(Sunflower) involving Monica’s Gang(the teenage version).

The two volumes will be released in 7 inches (17.5 cm) by 9 inches(23 cm) format, with 48 pages and a hard cover. Each edition will cost 49.90 reals(about 22 US dollars).

(Original article: Turma da Mônica Jovem reviveclássicos da literature, written by Samir Naliato on April 2, 2014. Republished and translated with permission by UniversoHQ)

MSP(Mauricio de Sousa Productions) have made a smart move here. Turma da Monica Jovem(Monica Teen) has been a must read fever among tweens and young adults in Brazil since it was introduced in 2008. Issue  34, showcasing  the first kiss between the two protagonists, sold over 500,000 issues in September 2011. America’s best selling issue was Justice League  #1, with over 200,000 issues sold. Monica, Maggy, Jimmy Five (now, a more mature Jim Five), and Smudge sell chocolates, dolls, clothes, fashion accessories, and personal hygiene products all over Brazil. Last year, they made a special appearance in beloved young adult writer Thalita Rebouças’ novel: Ela Disse, Ele Disse: O Namoro(“She Said, He Said: The Romance”), published by Rocco Young Readers. Mauricio de Sousa included the characters in vignettes, reacting to the action in the novel- connecting the fictional characters with the popular trends of today.

MSP, with Panini Comics,  also produces a bimonthly “Cinema Classics” series with each issue featuring a spoof of a different film series or movie classic. From ET, Blair Witch Project and Night at the Museum to classics like King Kong, Casablanca, Gladiator and Titanic. Superhero movies have also been featured with issues featuring Batman (Batboy), Superman, Green Lantern and The Avengers. With MSP focusing on retellings of popular high school reading material, this both dulls the burden of an assignment and introduces the reader to the original works. Time will tell how successful these retellings are or how the brand will grow from here.