Creator Controversy- From Tintin to Sonic

In an interview published by the Belgian edition of Paris Match magazine, Fanny Rodwell, the widow of Hergé-the creator of Tintin-, declared herself against the publication of a new album featuring the character.

 According to her, it’s necessary to respect the author’s wishes, that he didn’t want other new albums to be released after his death. Hergé passed away in 1983.

The declaration is controversial, because it contradicts the message of her current husband, Nick Rodwell, the administrator of Moulinsart, the company that cares for the work of Hergé. He defends the necessity of protecting the author’s rights ti the work, so that it wouldn’t fall into public domain so early.

Tentatively, a new album is planned for the faraway year of 2052. Before this, Moulinsart and Casterman intend to rerelease unfinished stories of the hero and versions of old books accompanied with new theoretical material.

Fanny Rodwell was born in 1934, in Brussels, Belgium. Her maiden name was Fanny Vlamynck. She was the colorist at Hergé’s studio and married the artist in 1977, when he divorced from his first wife, Germaine Kieckens. In 1993, she remarried to an Englishman, Nick Rodwell.

Rodwell is a controversial figure in France and Belgium, often criticized by the fans and company. He was the first to open a store dedicated to Tintin, in England.

(Original article: Viúva de Hergé é contra álbum inédito dopersonagem, written by Sérgio Codespoti on May 14, 2014. Republished and translated with permission by UniversoHQ)

Estate battles against publishers are nothing new. Jack Kirby, Bill Finger, Joe Shuster,  Jerry Siegel, and even Stan Lee's estate have had public, drawn out legal battles with their former employers who continue to utilize what the creators created, many years ago. Recently, the living Ken Penders sued Sega and Archie Comics for creator rights for the characters he created in the comic based on the Sonic the Hedgehog video games. His characters are now absent from the long running series as he attempts to reuse them in other mediums. 

Another Graphic MSP to be Released (in Brazil) in 2015

On the fourth and final day of the 20th Fest Comix, the Graphic MSP presentation featured the participation of Sidney Gusman, responsible for the editorial planning of Mauricio de Sousa Productions, and the authors Danilo Beyruth (Astronauta: Magnetar), Vitor Cafaggi (Monica’s Gang: Links), and Gustavo Duarte (Chico Bento: Space Ship).

They talked about how the project was born and grew from the success of the anthology MSP 50- Mauricio de Sousa by 50 Artists (2009) and its continuations, and how each cartoonist was invited to produce their respective graphic novels.

After the first four titles – Astronauta – Magnetar (2012), Turma da Mônica – Laços(2013), Chico Bento – Pavor Espaciar (2013) e Piteco – Ingá (2013) – six new albums were announced last year, during FIQ (International Festival of Comics). Of these, two are sequels: Astronaut 2 and Monica’s Gang 2.

This year, two editions will be released. Bidu will be released at the Biannual Book Festival of São Paulo and Astronaut 2will be released in December at Comic Con Experience. This means the four remaining books (Monica’s Gang 2, Jungle Kingdom, Papa- Capim and Bug-a-Boo the Ghost) will be released in 2015, right?

Wrong.

Sidney Gusman told the audience that, next year, a Graphic MSP not yet announced will be the first to be released in 2015. The reveal will happen at Gibicon, an event that will take place in Curitiba in September.

The objective is to publish four graphic novels a year, every three months, and that all the characters of MSP are available to win an album. The only exception, at the moment, is Horacio the dinosaur. “Mauricio (de Sousa) asked for us to not use Horacio right now, due to the special affection he has for the character,” he revealed. “The most important part is to find an author who knows how to work with the beloved character.”

Sidney commemorated the results from the project’s repercussions. “All four sold very well, some had second printings and others are to be reprinted. Magnetar already was publishing in Italy, Germany, France, and Spain. I am trying to develop a way to confirm this, but I am almost certain that Links is the best selling national (Brazilian) graphic novel of all time. And it keeps on selling.”

The editor talked about the creative liberty of each author, and affirmed that, like the children’s comics, the Graphic MSP won’t have an official continuity. “If tomorrow another author wants to work with Astronaut, it will be his Astronaut, with a different representation than Danilo’s. They won’t need to continue what was done before. We won’t follow chronologically,” he explained.

And with the release of Astronaut 2 and Monica’s Gang 2, does this mean that each author will do a trilogy? “I would love if each author could do three albums each. Depending on the success, nothing would impede coming out with a third edition, and the three is interesting in comics, no? I like it; it’s lucky,” joked Gusman.

There are negotiations for other albums to be released abroad. The brand could possibly produce related products. There is speculation of animated projects or even live action films, even though the studio hasn’t commented about the possibility.

News of this could be released shortly.

(Original article: Graphic MSP ainda não anunciada será lançada em 2015, written by Samir Naliato on May 6, 2014. Republished and translated with permission from UniversoHQ)



Monica has spawned many successful business ventures. This past year, the Flash animated series of shorts, Monica Toy, has garnered international attention. The shorts star Monica, Jimmy Five, Smudge, and Maggy and their day to day exploits. What makes the series viable for international markets is that the stories feature only sound effects, eliminating any need for translation. The shorts are humorous and introduce the world to the magic of Monica and her friends. Following all good properties comes merchandise; Monica Toy has spawned vinyl figures, home decor, clothes, and school supplies. Graphic MSP has the potential to go worldwide; the passion and talent is present, all that it needs now is marketing and an impeccable translation.

Saudi Arabia Has 99 Problems...

The 99 was created in 2007 by Stuart Moore, John McCrea, and Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa and published by Teshkeel Comics. The name stems from the eventual 99 member team of young super powered citizens of the planet. Their powers can complement each other and work best in certain groups of three, depending on the problem at hand. This stresses tolerance and diversity. They have already teamed up with DC superheroes like Batman and Superman. Download a free copy of the origin of the team at Comixology.

The comic has not been without its controversy among conservatives. Despite the controversy, The 99 franchise has a animated series broadcast in 70 countries and a theme park in Kuwait. In 2010, at the Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship in 2010, President of the United States Barack Obama mentioned the 99 and head creator Dr. Naif Al Mutawa. “His comic books have captured the imagination of so many young people,with superheroes who embody the teachings and tolerance of Islam,” the President said. President Obama is an admitted comic book collector. In 2011, The 99 CGI  feature film debuted in New York and Dubai film festivals.

Saudi Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta issued a fatwa, or formal legal opinion, on The 99 recently. They call for the banning of the series for flouting religious values. “There have been numerous Twitter campaigns against me for a while now and so for me it’s not new,” Al Mutawa said to Gulf Business. “Maybe it is true this time, but I find it very difficult to believe that a group as influential and high profile [as the Saudi Committee] wouldn't recognise the good that THE 99 has done for Muslims around the world.”The creators were not notified of the ban and there is no official word if that is the case. The series(animated and comic) have been successfully sold in Saudi Arabia for many years now without official challenges. Al Mutawa vows that the franchise upholds strong Muslim values and cites that it is an uneducated opinion based on heresy.



The 2011 DC Comics/ Tashkeel Comics’collaboration , JLA:The 99, six issue miniseries is available on Comixology. The series is also available in Arabic. Download Beginnings for free(in English) here. Promotional information and more information is available at the official 99 website. 

Mauricio de Sousa's Graphic MSP Ready to Take Brazil by Storm!

Two new graphic novels have been announced for Mauricio de Sousa Productions/Panini Comics Brazil’s Graphic MSP line. Graphic MSP started in 2012 with an idea to let Brazil’s best artists put their spin on Brazil’s most famous character catalog. During Mauricio de Sousa’s 50+ years in the business he has created countless characters from neighborhood kids and green elephants, blue puppy dogs and plump astronauts, teens, hillbillies, Amazonian natives and the living dead-all kid friendly teaching life lessons with crazy and humorous situations.

The first graphic novel, released at the end of 2012, was Astronauta(Astronaut)- Magnetar by Danilo Beyruth. The name comes from the magnetic neutron star. The novel, 8 pages in total, has been translated and distributed to other members of the Panini group: Germany (Der Astronaut), France (Astronaute- Au Coeur du Magneta), Italy(L’Astronauta Magnetar), and Spain (Astronauta Magnetar). The title is being shopped around for English publishers.

Panini Spain's Astronauta Magnetar

Panini Germany's Der Astronaut

Panini France's Astronaute- Au Coeur du Magneta

Panini Italy's L’Astronauta Magnetar

The second installment united the brother and sister act Lu and Vitor Cafaggi with their Turma da Mônica – Laços(Monica’s Gang- Ties), released last May. Gustavo Duarte continued the series with Chico Bento- Pavor Espaciar( Chuck Billy- Extra Terrestrial Terror) in August and Italian Shiko contributed with Piteco- Ingá about a prehistoric caveman, Piteco. These graphic novels have repetitively topped best of lists in Brazil by the countries’ biggest critics and connoisseurs.

Turma da Mônica – Laços by Lu Cafaggi and Vitor Cafaggi

Chico Bento- Pavor Espaciar by Gustavo Duarte

Piteco- Ingá by Shiko

The coordinator of the Graphic MSP initiative, Sidney Gusman, released the following tidbit today on Facebook and Twitter:

Well, the hour has arrived! There will be TWO Graphic MSP publications this year! He who will have the honor( and the responsibility) of opening the services is…Bidu, by Eduardo Damasceno and Luis Felipe Garrocho, which should come out at Book Biannual of Sao Paulo, in August. And, in Decmeber, it will be Astronauta 2’s turn, by Danilo Beyruth, with colors by Cris Peter. The idea is to coordinate the release with the Comic Con Experience event. 

Bidu, by Eduardo Damasceno and Luis Felipe Garrocho

Astronauta 2, by Danilo Beyruth, with colors by Cris Peter

And why only two, if we announced six books? Initially, it would have been four, but, to hold the price (r$19.90 for trade paperback and r$29.90 for hardcover), Panini will print these books in the Orient. This relies on sending the files very, very early.
So, to not pressure the production of the artists, we readjusted the schedule, so that, on wards of 2015, we will have four books per year, reoccurring every three months. And we are working to make this come true!

The other four releases, still untitled, include Papa-Capim(the Amazonian boy) by Marcela Godoy and Renato Guedes about a boy and his tribe deep in the Amazon; Penadinho(Bug a Boo the Ghost) by Paulo Crumbim and Cristina Eiko about a friendly ghost(Casper?) and his haunting friends: a vampire, werewolf, mummy, cadaver and Frank(the monster);Turma da Mata(Jungle Gang) by Greg Tocchini, Davi Calil and Arthur Fujita about a jungle kingdom ruled by a Lion who counts ants, foxes, rabbits, turtles, green elephants and monkeys as his subjects. Rounding out the releases will be the sequel to Ties by Vitor and Lu Cafaggi with Monica and her friends.

Papa-Capim by by Marcela Godoy and Renato Guedes

Turma da Mata by Greg Tocchini, Davi Calil and Arthur Fujita 

Penadinho by Paulo Crumbim and Cristina Eiko

Turma da Monica 2 by Lu and Vitor Cafaggi

No news yet on English releases but with the English Monica and her Friends being copywrited, it won’t be long until the series and the Brazilian talent reaches the English speaking population.

Until then, enjoy the production of these video trailers for the first two sequels in the line!

Marvel's Unlimited Infinite Proposal

Marvel had some big announcements today at SXSW. They are upping the ante with their digital offerings. They finally rolled out their Adaptive Audio feature on their Marvel Unlimited digital subsriprtion program. Adaptive audio, provided by Firelight Technologies(composers of BioShock, Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and Spider-Man:The Animated Series) , is said to be “a non-looping soundtrack meant to enhance the reading experience with music and sound, but not dialogue.” In an interview with Comic Book Resources, Marvel’s vice president of digital products, Kristin Vincent, discussed the unique challenges, “How do we not make it just looping music in the background? How do we make it an immersive experience that's truly an adaptive score that the user controls, that adds to the storytelling? The collaboration has been eye-opening to me -- it's actually becoming a tool in storytelling, as opposed to just being music looped on.”

Adaptive audio, first announced last year at Marvel’s SXSW presentation, isn’t yet available on all titles. In preperation for Captain America: The Winter Soldier on April 4, Ed Brubaker’s run on Captain America is first to undergo the treatment. According to Comic Book Resources, this is specific to issues 8, 9, 11 to 14. The arc is illustrated by Steve Epting.

To try an promote the app and its new features, Marvel is reducing the monthly subscription, normally $9.99 (or $69.99 a year), for only $0.99 this month-provided you join before March 14th. The subsription app does have a 6 month lag to promote purchasing new comics. Marvel is not ruling out a subscription service for release day comics, “It all depends on how the market goes.” Marvel Unlimited will also incorprate AR special features to be accessed mid story when using the app.

Use the code SXSW99 to take advantage of one month of comics for under a dollar!

Marvel also announced new content for their Infinite Comics digital first initiative. They are putting out a free 24 part series titled based on Disney XD’s Ultimate Spider-Man. The release schedule has not been decided on but the series will be showcased in a new kid-friendly app. The writing duties will be divided by Eugene Son, Matt Kindt, Cullen Bunn and Tim Seeley. Art will be handled by JL Mast and Geoffrey Beulieu on storyboards and Luciano Vecchio and Soutchey Leimetry on finished art.

“Not only do I think it's a good opportunity for Marvel, it seems like we have great stories that resonate around the world, and we're really proud of that. That's why in my mind it makes sense to start, especially with kids, with a character like Spider-Man, as opposed to a Captain America -- which hopefully also has worldwide reach, but obviously is a little bit different," says Kristin Vincent. Ultimate Spider-Man will be translated shortly upon release to ten different languages to cater to children world wide.

Brazil's Comic Book Carnival

Monica and Friends will walk with Samba  School  Rosas de Ouro at Sao Paulo’s Carnival Parade

This Friday, February 28th, the Samba School Rosas do Ouro (Roses of Gold) Society will present the theme unforgettable with the presence of Monica and her friends at the parade.

The School will present their theme in the four phases of life: childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age. The school will be the second of the special category to march in the Sao Paulo Carnaval, with close to three thousand people participating in the parade.

The character’s float has childhood as a theme and carries the name “Childhood Fascination”. Monica, Jimmy Five, Smudge, Maggie, Chuck Billy, Rosie, Franklin, Angel and Thunder are all participating characters in the parade.

The traditional samba school of the Northern Region was founded in October 1971 and already won seven titles in the Sao Paulo Carnival in the special category.

In 2007, Mauricio de Sousa(Monica's creator) was the theme of a different Samba School, Unidos do Peruche(States of Peruche, a tropical bird), also of Sao Paulo.

(Original article: Turma da Mônica desfilará na Rosas de Ouro no carnaval paulistano, written by Marcelo Naranjo on February 27, 2014. Reprinted and translated with permission from UniversoHQ)

Marvel Entertainment/Macy's 

As Spider-Man has been a staple in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and hundreds of thousands of superheroes go trick or treating every October 31st, it is good to see comic characters so intertwined with cultural traditions.

Indian Comic Con Showcases a World of Talent

India held their own Comic Con in New Delhi this weekend at Thyageraj Stadium. It is the fourth convention of its kind for the country. 

Guests include Mark Waid( Kingdom Come, 52,Irredeemable,Daredevil ), David Lloyd(Illustrator, V for Vendetta), John Layman(Image Comic’s Chew, Gambit, Detective Comics), Brazilian twins Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba( Collectively: Daytripper, Casanova, The Umbrella Academy) , and Indian creator Pran(Chacha Chaudhary and Sabu). Comixology also visited to give a talk “Digital Comics & It’s Scope”. The Comic Con had a lot to do:Screenings Sherlock and Supernatural, PS4 game station, Peanuts Museum, “Learn to write comics”, grass root comic campaigns, and “A chance to visit New York”. The 4th annual Indian Comic Con connects the international community with India's rich comic book culture. 

A staple of Indian childhood since the 60s: Amar Chitra Katha comics created by Uncle Anant Pai, educates children in multiple languages about a variety of Indian folklore, mythology, biographies  and history. Their online store offers international shipping.

Pran, present at the Con, has been called the “Walt Disney of India” . He has created many diverse characters and his flagship property: the mustached super genius Chacha Chaudhary, has 600 animated  episodes under his belt. Learn more about the characters and the creator here.

Chacha Chaudhary, created by Pran

Spider-Man:India, published Gotham Entertainment Group was a 4 issue Indian adaptation of Spider-Man. Released in 2004(2005 Stateside), it was created by Suresh Seetharaman,Jeevan Kang, and Sharad Devarajan. In the story, Pavitr Prabhakar lives with his Auntie Maya and Uncle Bhim, he crushes on Meera Jain. Nalin Oberoi(Green Goblin) and Doctor Octopus(with magic tentacles) threaten the young wall crawler.

Marvel/ Gotham Entertainment Group

Marvel Global Comics released their app this week, featuring multiple titles in Hindi. Viz Media is heavily pushing Manga in India. With multiple Indian publishers accepting and embracing Digital Media, their future is as bright as ever. 

Olympic Rivalry Between Norway and Sweden Starts in Duckburg!

Disney's Donald Duck February edition:Norwegian version(left) and Swedish version(right)

“ Before the games we have simply agreed,” explains Norwegian Donald Duck editor Marius Molaug explains of the country's partnership with Sweden to TV 2

For the first time the Norwegian and the Swedish edition of Donald Duck will come out with different versions of the same basic cover.

“There are also a number of different panels inside the magazine”, said Molaug.

“We struggled to agree…”adding that the Norwegian and Swedish Donald magazines usually are virtually identical, both inside and out.

“ It's a good partnership. We make the magazine and they copy it. But this time we struggled to agree," Molaug chuckles before he clarifies:

“This is all in good fun. We will return to good friends again after the Olympics.”

But before and during the Olympics there's a competition?

“Right now it's open season for some cheek. But it all goes on in good Duckburg spirit,” assures the editor.


The Norwegian edition comes out on store shelves on Friday February 7, the same day as the Olympics opening ceremony will be held in Sochi. The Swedish edition comes out a few days earlier.

According to Moulaug, Donald fans can look forward to many jokes and parody fun.

“( Swedish skier) Charlotte Kalla has become Shallot Turtle-Shell and (triathlon runner) Björn Ferry is naturally been changed to Bear Holiday. And so we have made the Swedish expert commentator Jonas Karlsson into a pig after calling (Norwegian cross country skier)Peter Northug a pig in 2012.”

- And how do the Swedes strike back?


“I think they have been bolder than us. They have, for example, made Northug into a pig, and female cross country skier Marit Bjoergen appears to be nothing more than a mass of muscles."

(Original article Fetter Fjontug vs Markmus Kelner! by Joar Hystadvegen, published on TV2! on January 30, 2014. Translation help provided by Ann-Karin Gjerde. ) 

Head over to the main article to see the parodies of the athletes...strange animal morphing going on there!

Norway is the 2nd largest comic book reading country per capita. While Sweden sells about 434,000 with their weekly Kalle Anka & Co(Donald Duck and Company) Magazine. The Nordic countries' love for the speech impaired duck is substantial. Norway has its own council promoting responsibility for comics- The Norwegian Council for Cultural Affairs.

Swede Charlie Christensen created a Donald Duck parody in 1983. Arne Anka(Anka translates to duck) was a working class duck man...a womanizer and alcoholic, his life was poetic.When Disney sent a lawsuit to Christensen, Arne Anka had a terrible accident and died. The detestable duck faked his own demise! Coming back with a removable prosthetic duckbill and a new name Arnes Andre...witness protection has done well for the character and his creator. The original series lasted until 1995 and he returned in 2004 to costar in a series: Arne Anka and Konrad K.

Charlie Christensen 

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.

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!

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.

Bienvenidos, Bem vindo, Willkommen, Welcome, Accueil, Velkommen, Benvenuto, Powitanie, Welkom, Sambutan, Maligayang pagdating

So, welcome!
I am Jeff. For a while now I have been looking for a forum that really welcomes the international world of comic books...and that has lead me to here. As someone who enjoys comics and traveling, it was inevitable to fall in love with international comic books! As a lifelong learner, I needed to research and learn all about comics in all reaches of the world.
Stateside, Fantographics and NBM are the main publishers of imports, but is that enough? During my time in Brazil, I got to know the 4th biggest entertainment company in the world, Mauricio de Sousa Productions(Think Walt Disney Studios combined with Stan Lee's name brand). In its flagship title, Turma da Monica (Monica's Gang), they often display Sousa's travels to various licencing shows, ambassador visits etc, often times in the US... Yet, when walking into New York's largest comic shop and asking where it is possible to purchase comics from Brazil-"Brazil" was their best guess. Should these comics really be so foreign?
To me, this is a very limited view; we should be opening our arms to other viewpoints and art styles, and opening our hearts to other characters!
This blog aims to be a labor of love. If I can figure out a scanner and photoshop software I'd like to try my hand at translating (Portuguese and Spanish for now, French and German are the next languages to dominate!) Think of it as a cultural exchange in the world of comics.
Feel free to give recommendations, ask questions or anything!
Time to take over the world!
Jeff**

Me and Brazil's Stan Lee: Mauricio de Sousa- leader of Brazilian comics, creator of more than 200 characters and in the business for more than 50 years!(Copyright Saraiva)