By Request Extra: Last Day Of The Year
Last day of the year means last day to give according to tax law and regulations encompassing 2018. It's also a great way to enter into an uncertain 2019 with a little karmic momentum.
Here are a few standard comics donation recipients, non-profits all.
I'm sure I'm forgetting a ton of them. Your belief in the mission of each individual non-profit and confidence in their abilities to fulfill those missions will of course be entirely your own. Also, please note that I direct CXC and am on an advisory board for Billy Ireland -- from what I can tell looking around the latter's meeting room table I am there to represent unaccomplished people.
Here is a short list of specific campaigns to which this site has paid attention in the last several months. These efforts may not count in any way as charitable donations, but there's a good result involved.
Supporting individual creators through their Patreon accounts, particularly those who come from communities at risk, is also always admirable.
Thanks to so many of you that give so generously to a variety of admirable efforts. Thanks for all you did in 2018. It's a year that needed you, for sure.
* Milton Knight has a Patreon going. I think that would be a good way to support his art -- I mean, it's a good way to support everyone's art, but that method might play more cleanly into the course of Knight's career than it might with another cartoonist.
Bundled Extra: Significant Preview Of Forthcoming Brubaker/Phillips Criminal Run
Joe Grunenwald gathers up and provides context to a lengthy preview of material from a relaunched Criminal by frequent collaborators Sean Phillips and Ed Brubaker. That pair has as solid a track record as any in recent comics history. It should be interesting to track what Brubaker has to say about the strategy of this particular move, too.
Random Comics News Story Round-Up * Tom Kaczynski writes about the fanzine origins of comics criticism. I particularly like the idea expressed that Gary Groth and his peers were operating on faith to a certain extent, writing from a period that let's say lacked a lot of easy examples.
* Manuel Rapalo profiles Pedro Molina, in the context of visual art in Nicaragua as a response to political repression.
Festivals Extra: Ithaca College On Ithacon 2019
I think I ran a mention along with everyone else that Ithaca College will be hosting a class this next, immediate term on how to put together a comics show; I'm not sure if this is the original article or not but it gives you perspective on the resulting show.
I am glad for all sorts of systemic thinking being applied to comics institutions, because I think comics reinvents the wheel a lot and this can be a tool for avoiding it. I think the nature of comics people is not to end up with systemic ossification outside of a small radius, too, so there's not a real danger in locking into ways of thinking across the board.
* it's been a few days so let me remind you of the Barbara Shermund burial fund GoFundMe. It's a great honor that the community of cartoonists has been asked to take care of such a magnificently talented one of their own, and I hope you'll at least consider it. Catch up here.
* I hadn't walked through Chris Diaz' photos for Comic Arts Brooklyn 2018 and there's a ton of endearing shots of recent gigantic comics-makers, the ones that have dominated the last two years and are likely to be major forces for the next five to ten. I cry at everything now.
This Isn’t A Library Special: Love For Comic Shops The information on Diamond's site makes me think this is a small week for new books, and only from their core partners. That means a new Hellboy book, which is nearly always of a reliable quality.
I did want to re-mention a few books from last week, because last week was probably super-busy, too, and you may not have gone. I didn't. I barely listed them on this site.
* AUG181388 GUNNERKRIGG COURT TP VOL 05 $16.99
* JUN180959 MARVEL UNIVERSE BY FRANK MILLER OMNIBUS HC $75.00
* OCT180285 HELLBOY AND BPRD 1956 #2 (OF 5) $3.99
* SEP181789 PEANUTS EVERY SUNDAY HC BOX SET 1970 $85.00
* SEP181788 PEANUTS EVERY SUNDAY HC VOL 06 1976-1980 $49.99
* SEP181783 PRINCE VALIANT HC BOX SET VOL 04-06 1943-1948 $99.99
* OCT181964 SPIDER-MAN INTO SPIDER-VERSE ART OF THE MOVIE HC $39.95
Those Gunnerkrigg Court books have been reliable for enough retailers to have mentioned it to me. I do read those when they come out, and in that form, which I think is rewarding one. The Miller Omnibus is basically everything outside of iconic runs he was doing on Daredevil while still in that early phase of his career. I'm kind of a sucker for those: it's like watching a young actor nail a bunch of guest-stars on TV program on their way to getting their own Netflix deal. I also know that many have very little patience for Miller. There's this week's Mignola-verse book. As I mentioned last week, I love the Peanuts Sunday color strips Fantagraphics has been doing, and I'm not sure how much excitement there's been for that series. It's the Peanuts of my childhood, undisputed ruler of the four steps I'd take through the snow in bare feet to get the Sunday paper inside. Prince Valiant I want in my library in some form, although I'm not aware of this one (I mean, it's box sets, I just don't remember seeing one). Finally, I bet that Spider-Verse book is gone a lot of places, so if your store has one, good on them.
If I didn't list your book it's because Santa asked me not to.
* by request extra: save Fat Jack's Comicrypt. This is one of the DM network's longtime "name" stores and one of the longest-running in general. It is so very, very hard to run a successful comic shop these days, in part because just about every quarter-inch gained in terms of breathing space gets spent by an actor other than a store.
By Request Extra: Comics Industry Individuals Sued By Cody Pickrodt Still Far Short Of Initial Goal
I am a little saddened by the current state of this crowdfunding performance, even though I admire and respect the work done by its organizers and have every confidence it will somehow get done. It's amazing to me it may take extra effort. This is an absurd lawsuit. It is a Streisand effect case to the 100,000th power. It is initiated to suppress the exercise of speech. It is aimed at members of the comics community all of whom can be characterized in part by their lack of financial resources.
Since the per-donation amount seems high for comics, that suggests fewer people than might be expected have chosen to participate, at least so far. I can't think of a compelling reason why anyone in that community -- or simply interested in its cartoonists or their work -- would choose to sit this one out.
People should not be victimized, then choose to act bravely, then choose to support that bravery or otherwise look out for people within their community and then... be further victimized! That's got to be worth ten bucks.
Random Comics News Story Round-Up * my friend and yours the podcaster Gil Roth of Virtual Memorieswill be joining Dan Kois and Keren Katz as judges for the Slate/CCS prizes this year. I'm happy to hear that. I like VM and think deserves more attention for its comics content. I hope Roth will be considered for any and all such gigs, particularly hosting things in and around New York City.
* not comics: this is a fun article about culturally-driven industries even if you don't see comics connections, but I was reminded of comics industry institutions that gain cultural force that runs on a different track than the artists involved, and even sometimes has different needs. I see that in every article, though.
* finally: industry veteran Scott Dunbier remembers his younger years in New York.
It is a significant honor to donate to the burial fund for the great Barbara Shermund. Thank you, Caitlin McGurk, for doing this and for allowing us to participate.
Go, here. Come to Columbus and see the wonderful exhibit if you're able.
Random Comics News Story Round-Up * Rob Clough on The Empty Bed.
* I hope to make an individual post of it later this morning, but there's a Barbara Shermund burial fund that will launch today that is is worth considering multiple times.
This Isn’t A Library: New, Notable Releases Into Comics’ Direct Market
*****
Here are the books that make an impression on me staring at this week's no-doubt largely accurate list of books shipping from Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. to comic book and hobby shops across North America.
I might not buy all of the works listed here. I might not buy any. You never know. I'd sure look at the following, though.
*****
* AUG180830 LOEG TEMPEST #3 CVR A ONEILL $4.99
* AUG180809 MATTEO HC VOL 01 1914-1915 $19.99
* AUG181388 GUNNERKRIGG COURT TP VOL 05 $16.99
* OCT180735 BOB LAYTONS IRON MAN ARTIST SELECT HC $125.00
* JUN180959 MARVEL UNIVERSE BY FRANK MILLER OMNIBUS HC $75.00
* OCT181898 CABINET TP (MR) $19.99
* AUG181804 FLEM GN (MR) $20.00
* SEP181789 PEANUTS EVERY SUNDAY HC BOX SET 1970 $85.00
* SEP181788 PEANUTS EVERY SUNDAY HC VOL 06 1976-1980 $49.99
* SEP181783 PRINCE VALIANT HC BOX SET VOL 04-06 1943-1948 $99.99
* SEP181387 WITCH HAMMER OGN $19.99
* NOV182036 COMICS OF JULIE DOUCET & GABRIELLE BELL SC $30.00
* SEP181860 JUNKO MIZUNO COLORING BOOK SC (MR) $12.95
* OCT181964 SPIDER-MAN INTO SPIDER-VERSE ART OF THE MOVIE HC $39.95
I have 45 seconds until my car drives away, so here's the list of books out today I pulled to either double-check, make fun of or heartily recommend. I like those Alan Moore comics, and don't sleep on how good those color Peanuts Sundays are. If I forgot one, send me a note, I'll get it in. Hey, sue me, it's the holidays. I know you miss Jog, but Jog quit! You're stuck with me.
*****
The full list of this week's releases, including some titles with multiple cover variations and a long, impressive list of toys and other stuff that isn't comics, can be found here. Despite this official list there's no guarantee a comic will show up in the stores as promised, or in all of the stores as opposed to just a few. Also, stores choose what they carry and don't carry so your shop may not carry a specific publication. There are a lot of comics out there.
To find your local comic book store, check this list; and for one I can personally recommend because I've shopped there, albeit a while back, try this.
The above titles are listed with their Diamond order code in the first field, which may assist you in finding comics at your shop or having them order something for you they don't have in-stock. Ordering through a direct market shop can be a frustrating experience, so if you have a direct line to something -- you know another shop has it, you know a bookstore has it -- I'd urge you to consider all of your options.
If I failed to list your comic, that's because I hate you.
Random Comics News Story Round-Up * Sheehan Hannan profiles Brian Bendis.
* hey, that animated Spider-Man movie is a super nice-looking film, and very entertaining. There's probably a limit to which I can get excited about a Spider-Man movie because I'm old and my soul is dead -- I saw The Favourite the same weekend and have thought about that film a whole lot more -- but if all big-audience films were as charming and as clever as that Spider-Man movie was, it would be a better world. What a nice surprise, and it's always nice to be reminded of the power of representation.
A Public Service Announcement Upon Turning 50
So I turned 50 years old at 12:01 AM on Sunday. I know, right?
While I'm sure I will make a lot of jokes about my encroaching senility and ongoing, spectacular tumble from relevance, I feel pretty great. I had a great 2018 with some amazing surprises. I feel I should have died back in 2011 so all of these years are bonus ones. I think being 50 is going to be wonderful.
One thing CXC failed to do as we went through significant growing pains this year is put together a properly structured individual donors program. Let me apologize for that and any unasked-for e-mail you might have received.
In 2019, our formal individual asks will launch in late May, generated from a custom database with reminders in early October and during the holidays. Back here in 2018, our program requires one more reminder through my other on-line presence that CXC is an established non-profit with all the tax advantages of donating to same. Welcome to that reminder.
Every dollar donated helps CXC put on our festival and give back directly to creators in attendance. CXC pays honoraria for program preparation and a per diem to special guests. We provide a first-rate experience to our hosted guests, and multiple teaching and celebratory events to everyone we can. We are a free show. We are just beginning to tackle the issue of exhibitor table refunds and a just staff/volunteer balance, which is very exciting. Our goal is that everyone leaves CXC with as much as possible in terms of direct reward, entertainment and good times, professional opportunity, inspiration and straight-up business done.
Giving to a show in today's environment is tough. There is so much need. There are creators in obvious direct financial need. There are creators from a lot of marginalized communities that don't receive the same opportunities their peers have been. There are important concerns about just behavior, humane conduct and positive human interaction within the industry and how to meet bare minimum expectations for how we treat one another. All of these are noble causes and I hope you pay attention to them through this site and others.
On my 50th birthday, I felt strongly enough about CXC's potential positive role to say so. I hope that CXC or similar shows for which you care may be a part of your year-end spending.
Thank you for all the birthday wishes. I hope to be a better 50-something than 40-something. I also hope your life in comics is as amazing as mine has been and continues to reward. Happy holidays of every kind. Thank for every and any way you contribute.
* this site runs a Monday round-up of comics creators and causes in need called Comics By Request. A repeat subject this year has been Jim Wheelock but every column episode features someone in need.
* to find members of marginlized communities in need more generally, I look to my own own twitter feed. Be attentive to requests. GoFundMe, IndieGoGo and Kickstarter can be searched.
* the major campaign of the moment regarding industry conduct and legal reprisal is that supporting those cartoonists sued by an industry peer for publicly calling into question that person's behavior.
* The Beat has a to-the-point write-up here about the creative team behind Border Town has quit after learning that writer Eric Esquivel is the unnamed person in Cynthia Naugle's recent blog post about an abuser. I support people making moral choices, and respect them doing so when there are professional consequences to those decisions.
Like many folks in comics I am very fond of Patrick and want him to receive every last benefit of the community's ability to provide whatever relief it can and to express its affection. Plus this should be a fun comic, and it's a series where there's been five years since the last issue so I'm just glad to see it published. Please do what you feel you can.
This Isn’t A Library: New, Notable Releases Into Comics’ Direct Market
*****
Here are the books that make an impression on me staring at this week's no-doubt largely accurate list of books shipping from Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. to comic book and hobby shops across North America.
I might not buy all of the works listed here. I might not buy any. You never know. I'd sure look at the following, though.
*****
JUL180923 LOAC ESSENTIALS HC VOL 12 BARON BEAN 1918 $29.99
It's a weird week in that I didn't detect the kind of alt-/art- solo release that is my bread and butter when it comes to wanting things from the comics shop. I still do love the LOAC line, and I am particularly fond of their essentials books, so George Herriman's other strip gets the call. It's good to great work, and generally more accessible than Krazy Kat.
OCT180199 HEAD LOPPER #10 CVR A MACLEAN (MR) $5.99 OCT180200 HEAD LOPPER #10 CVR B D ANGELO (MR) $5.99 OCT181279 GIANT DAYS #45 $3.99 AUG181397 GIANT DAYS EARLY REGISTRATION TP $14.99 OCT180274 HELLBOY WINTER SPECIAL 2018 CVR A MIGNOLA $3.99 OCT180275 HELLBOY WINTER SPECIAL 2018 CVR B MOON $3.99 OCT180276 HELLBOY WINTER SPECIAL 2018 CVR C BA $3.99 OCT180512 HAWKMAN #7 $3.99 OCT180513 HAWKMAN #7 VAR ED $3.99 OCT180220 MAGE HERO DENIED #14 (OF 15) $3.99
Hey, it's the comic books. I'm a huge fan of Head Lopper, which for the uninitiated of you out there is kind of like the best cartoon for 14-year-old boys you've yet to see. I love looking at it and love reading the tons and tons of pages that constitute a single issue. I recommend it. I always buy anything John Allison is up to, ditto Mike Mignola and his works. I'm surprised by how much I've enjoyed the Hawkman comics, which just seem hilarious to me: so much action they have to move some of it between panels. As I've written elsewhere I'm delighted that Matt Wagner is finishing his Mage saga next spring. This is the penultimate issue.
SEP180532 ANIMAL MAN BY GRANT MORRISON HC BOOK 01 30TH ANNIV DLX ED $34.99
I'm not sure what sets this version part from previous ones -- I'm very happy with the comic books -- but this is a crucial work for the superhero genre and if you like the men in tights at all I imagine you want some version of it on your shelves.
FEB181599 PHANTOM COMP DAILIES HC VOL 14 1956 -1957 $60.00 AUG182012 PHANTOM COMP SUNDAYS HC VOL 05 1953-1957 $65.00
I love Wilson McCoy's Phantom for its perfect ratio of weird to funny to adventure (about 20-10-70). I could post individual panels from it forever. I don't even know if these volumes are any good, I like the work so much.
*****
The full list of this week's releases, including some titles with multiple cover variations and a long, impressive list of toys and other stuff that isn't comics, can be found here. Despite this official list there's no guarantee a comic will show up in the stores as promised, or in all of the stores as opposed to just a few. Also, stores choose what they carry and don't carry so your shop may not carry a specific publication. There are a lot of comics out there.
To find your local comic book store, check this list; and for one I can personally recommend because I've shopped there, albeit a while back, try this.
The above titles are listed with their Diamond order code in the first field, which may assist you in finding comics at your shop or having them order something for you they don't have in-stock. Ordering through a direct market shop can be a frustrating experience, so if you have a direct line to something -- you know another shop has it, you know a bookstore has it -- I'd urge you to consider all of your options.
If I failed to list your comic, that's because I hate you.
* looks like MCAD is hiring a professor of comic art, title dependent on experience. There is good news for some in that an MFA is preferred but not required.
Bundled, Tossed, Untied And Stacked: Publishing News By Tom Spurgeon
* Greg Goldstein out, Chris Ryall back in at IDW. PDF of the initial PR here: ryallbacktoidw.pdf It feels to me there's a big story of their last 30 months for one of us to cover.
* Joseph Ilidge is out at Valiant. I wouldn't feel comfortable contextualizing this story with a throwaway comment, mostly because I can't figure out what the proper expectation might be for this company performance.
* here is a horrible story of abuse within the comics industry, told by its victim. Here is a twitter thread in support by its author. Here is a commentary thread by noted and trusted industry advocate Jay Edidin. There is an enormous amount of casual exploitation and abuse at different levels of the comics industry, partly I think because of a baseline expectation that the industry exists in not a small way to facilitate social relationships in a way that even those involved would find alarming and viciously problematic in any other context. It demands the light of our constant attention, and our unqualified sympathy and support to those affected.
Assembled Extra: On The First Internet Strip
The cartoonist Drew Weing has a fun post up here about a potential first Internet comic strip distinct from the first one recognized as the first one of the World Wide Web. So much of that history gets compressed that it's nice to see someone open it up and look into specific examples.
* not comics: the great Sean Tejaratchi is leaving Tumblr due to the NSFW ban thing I don't exactly care enough to understand (I'm kidding; look it up).
* here's a festival report from Leon Avelino, a very specific subset of comics writing I love with all of my heart. Leon gets to write the last comics article after we screw up dimming the sun.
* here is a thoughtful twitter thread on how "just make comics" isn't always the right answer for how to get into comics, mostly because it doesn't feel after you're in just for making some comics. And I understand it.
The Never-Ending, Four-Color Festival: Shows And Events
By Tom Spurgeon
* here's a walk through Tokyo Comic Con that someone at Bleeding Cool flagged, basically a preview screen and a bunch of toy displays, which isn't too far from the bulk of what you see at any pop-culture oriented show anywhere in the world.
* speaking of the longtime news and rumor site, Rich Johnston dissects the charter membership offers CCI made on Giving Tuesday.
* Kerry Dixon looks at this year's economic impact numbers and where CCI lands in comparison to other San Diego shows. The shift in emphasis to more realistic numbers here was a big change in how CCI has been viewed moving forward.
Random Comics News Story Round-Up * Matt Seneca on Mort Cinder.
* congratulations to cartoonist Sophie Goldstein on winning a year-long Tulsa Arts Fellowship. That's a city I don't think of for comics -- the late writer Jim Vance lived there -- but that will be to the advantage of the cartoonist and the community that will get to enjoy her presence and her husband Carl Antonowicz. This will become more and more of a comics thing over the next decade, particularly for awards with a community aspect. I think cartoonists are uniquely built to collaborate and participate.
* there is still a bit of late President Bush post-passing cartoon news. Here's the story of how Nick Anderson worked with his former employer on a larger-than-usual tribute. Here's a modest survey of cartoons out there. The confusion in comics over how to remember a president who was somehow reasonably well-liked and considered competent while at the same having to process his open ties to indictable political acts and outcomes is a sign of how confused the country is in terms of what constitutes political discourse more generally. I die a little bit at the nihilistic implications of casually simplistic reactions, the sappily sentimental and the occasional sweeping, non-engaged dismissal, but that may be because those are constructions which are of specific interest to me. Cartoons almost always prove themselves worth watching both individually and as a group, and have again been valuable here.
* finally, Image has an oral history of Image Comics up, about which my e-mail is host to a score of complaints about who is involved, who isn't, what's said. That was an influential on-line forum for the group of creators that were participants in terms of exposing them to ideas and relationships through they would build careers. I joked yesterday that it's the first article of its type where like 90 percent of those profiled have actual PR photos, by which I mean that not only did that Forum drive people to careers but successful one. I shudder to think of an article gauging the impact of the TCJ message board.
This Isn’t A Library: New, Notable Releases Into Comics’ Direct Market
*****
Here are the books that make an impression on me staring at this week's no-doubt largely accurate list of books shipping from Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. to comic book and hobby shops across North America.
I might not buy all of the works listed here. I might not buy any. You never know. I'd sure look at the following, though.
*****
OCT181718 VANISHING ACT HC $14.99
Good week for the kind of comics I like. Roman Muradov's comics are challenging and beautiful and every time a new one comes out I hope it's the one that captures the imagination of the widest possible alt-reading audience. And so I hope again.
SEP181985 THIMBLE THEATRE PRE POPEYE CARTOONS OF EC SEGAR $85.00
Thimble Theatre is a top five comics achievement of the 20th Century, with two of the ten best characters, and these comics that came before the appearance of Popeye are excellent in most of the ways those that came after that introduction ended up being. They are well worth the read and this fabulous looking presentation.
OCT180282 BPRD DEVIL YOU KNOW #11 CVR A MIGNOLA $3.99 OCT180283 BPRD DEVIL YOU KNOW #11 CVR B MIGNOLA $3.99 OCT180474 MARTIAN MANHUNTER #1 (OF 12) $3.99 SEP180436 SHAZAM #1 $4.99 OCT180018 PRODIGY #1 (OF 6) CVR A ALBUQUERQUE (MR) $3.99 OCT180019 PRODIGY #1 (OF 6) CVR B ALBUQUERQUE (MR) $3.99 OCT180020 PRODIGY #1 (OF 6) CVR C INTERCONNECT PT 1 ALBUQUERQUE (MR) $3.99 OCT180021 PRODIGY #1 (OF 6) CVR D INTERCONNECT PT 2 ALBUQUERQUE (MR) $3.99 OCT180022 PRODIGY #1 (OF 6) CVR E INTERCONNECT PT 3 ALBUQUERQUE (MR) $3.99 OCT180023 PRODIGY #1 (OF 6) CVR F QUITELY (MR) $3.99 OCT180024 PRODIGY #1 (OF 6) CVR G BLANK CVR (MR) $3.99 OCT180264 WICKED & DIVINE #40 CVR A MCKELVIE & WILSON (MR) $3.99 OCT180951 DOCTOR STRANGE #9 $3.99
Comic-book comics! You rarely go wrong with one from the Mignola-verse. The two DC books are one that looks to fill the thinking person's superhero book role most recently taken up by Mister Miracle, and one connected to a movie that I didn't even know was being relaunched in comic-book form. I really hate this most recent use of that character, and it's baffling that a comic with that many great characters can't find a better general narrative. The Prodigy is the latest Mark Millar and a further sideways slide for Millar away from violently executed high concepts into outlines for an elevator pitch -- the sad thing is these properties are sold already and don't really have to convince anyone. I'm also worried about variant covers for something that I'm not totally convinced benefits from them in a way that serves to enhance the marketplace. The Gillen & McKelvie enters its final arc ahead of a conclusion in 2019. The Doctor Strange book has a Kevin Nowlan cover and I'll want to own it on that basis alone.
SEP181770 HIERONYMUS & BOSCH HC $27.00 OCT181720 MAXON CRUMB ART OUT OF CHAOS GN $25.00 OCT181694 MEMORABILIA SC $16.99
The first is a strip collection by Paul Kirchner about which I know very little. It sure is attractive. The Maxon Crumb book -- with the Spain Rodriguez biography/collection series and the latest Mineshaft -- makes this a decent period for underground publicats. Memorabilia looks like a tribute to the comics of his youth by Sergio Ponchione, who is always worth a look.
SEP188812 ELECTRIC STATE HC $35.00
This seems more extended and sober kids-book making rather than a comic as we might think of comics, but it does look very attractive and the juxtaposition of quotidian and fantastic things is something both comics and kids-book type storytelling do very well.
SEP181845 DUNKIRK ONE SHOT GLANZMAN CVR $9.99 OCT181719 NOW #5 NEW COMICS ANTHOLOGY $9.99 SEP181949 OUR WRETCHED TOWN HALL GN (MR) $10.00
I'm interested in the price points here as much as the content, although each one of the books seems interesting to me -- the NOW anthology in particular I think has been weird and intriguing and well-curated. But a lot of reading for about ten bucks, whether it's Noah Van Sciver's last project or these books or others like it? I think that could gain some traction over the long term if it becomes a category.
SEP181776 PARALLEL LIVES GN $24.99
This is a collection of short stories from a formidable, word-class talent. I think there's some pushback on Olivier Schrauwen, but I haven't personally felt it yet, I think he's really funny and an idiosyncratic visualist to boot. Automatic buy for me.
*****
The full list of this week's releases, including some titles with multiple cover variations and a long, impressive list of toys and other stuff that isn't comics, can be found here. Despite this official list there's no guarantee a comic will show up in the stores as promised, or in all of the stores as opposed to just a few. Also, stores choose what they carry and don't carry so your shop may not carry a specific publication. There are a lot of comics out there.
To find your local comic book store, check this list; and for one I can personally recommend because I've shopped there, albeit a while back, try this.
The above titles are listed with their Diamond order code in the first field, which may assist you in finding comics at your shop or having them order something for you they don't have in-stock. Ordering through a direct market shop can be a frustrating experience, so if you have a direct line to something -- you know another shop has it, you know a bookstore has it -- I'd urge you to consider all of your options.
If I failed to list your comic, that's because I hate you.
* OTBP: Money. Robert Boyd is one of the all-time under-appreciated writers about comics, and among other things started the "Minimalism" column at The Comics Journal.
Another Presentation Of The Teaching Comics Argument This time it's from someone with a job that at least sounds academic in nature. The argument is basically the general anti-humanities one you see nowadays -- "the jobs out there are increasingly technical in nature and your course about Happy Days just won't cut it" -- with presentation of superhero classes as the eye-roll generators. My view of education has these kinds of courses in it, and I don't believe their number is so grand as to be worrisome.
Bundled, Tossed, Untied And Stacked: Publishing News
By Tom Spurgeon
* Scott Dunbier shows off a very cute cover for the Berkeley Breathed's Bloom County Artist's Edition volume due early next year.
* the very funny cartoonist Michael Kupperman announces a move into self-publishing. Kupperman has worked with both boutique comics-type publishers and larger prose-based houses. First up: a best-of.
* I don't have a link, but NBM sent out a press release announcing the publication of softcover versions of Black Dahlia and The Axe-Man Of New Orleans. That's a nice value for dense, accomplished content.
Random Comics News Story Round-Up * Matt Seneca on Dementia 21.
* I found this story about two brothers on the autistic spectrum rewarding in that there are some insights sprinkled throughout: for instance the reading spaces provide a reduction in outside stimulus as well as a bit of privacy, and they do an amount of business with other on the spectrum because of their ability to meet such specific needs.
* Marshall Ramsey made the editorial cartoon about Barbara Bush being reunited with the daughter that preceded her in death as a toddler, and now he's expanded on it for a popular cartoon about the late President Bush. I'm not a big fan of cartoons like this pair, but they sure resonate with swathes of people.
* finally: Lisa Rathke profiles a vigorous Ed Koren, one of those larger-than-life older cartoonist of which the field has a sublime and not insignificant number.
* this statue story and the author's perspective-bearing non-rage are both very appealing. Be careful out there.
* I don't have my mind wrapped around the idea of graphic medicine yet -- 99 percent chance I'm over-complicating things -- so I am grateful for this list of foundational works.
FFF Results Post #512: Before 1960
On Friday, CR readers were asked to "Recommend Five Comics Publications Released Before 1960 You'd Recommend To A Contemporary Comics Reader." This is how they responded.
*****
James Langdell
1. The Pogo Stepmother Goose, Walt Kelly (1954)
2. The Life and Times of the Shmoo, Al Capp (1948)
3. The Last Flower, James Thurber (1939)
4. Sports et Divertisements, Charles Martin (art) and Erik Satie (words and music) (1914 and 1923, two different sets of art by Martin)
5. The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, William Blake (1793)
*****
Stephen Harrick
1. "Lost in the Andes!," Carl Barks (1949)
2. Stardust the Super Wizard, Fletcher Hanks (1939-1941) (pictured)
3. Betsy and Me, Jack Cole (1958)
4. Spacehawk, Basil Wolverton (1940-1942)
5. "Massacred!," Harvey Kurtzman and John Severin (1951)
*****
Tom Spurgeon
1. The Passport, Saul Steinberg (1954) (pictured)
2. Sick, Sick, Sick, Jules Feiffer (1958)
3. The Bungle Family, Henry J. Tuthill (1918-1945)
4. Man In The Shower, Peter Arno (1944)
5. Barnaby, Crockett Johnson (1942-1952)
*****
Dave Knott
1. Addams And Evil, Charles Addams (1947)
2. Objectif Lune, Hergé (1953)
3. The Mad Reader, The Usual Gang Of Idiots (1954)
4. La Mauvaise Tête, André Franquin (1957)
5. Jungle Book, Harvey Kurtzman (1959)
*****
Sean Rogers
1. Une semaine de bonté, Max Ernst (1934)
2. Moomin, Tove Jansson (1954-1959)
3. Tricky Cad, Jess (1952-1959)
4. Passionate Journey, Frans Masereel (1919)
5. The Lonely Ones, William Steig (1942)
*****
Steven Stwalley
1. Krazy Kat, George Herriman (1946)
2. The Gluyas Williams Book, Gluyas Williams (1929)
3. Peanuts, Charles Schulz (1952)
4. Uncle Pogo So-So Stories, Walt Kelly (1953)
5. Cartoon Cavalcade, edited by Thomas Craven (1943)
*****
Joe Schwind
1. By The Dawn's Ugly Light, Richard Taylor (1953)
2. Dreams of Glory, William Steig (1953)
3. Kids Out Our Way, J.R. Williams (1946)
4. Sad Sack, Sgt. George Baker (1944)
5. Cartoon Cavalcade, edited by Thomas Craven (1943)
Thanks for participating. Lot of creative formatting this time out. Please know I reserve the right to skip and delete any entry that does not provide that courtesy, and will likely do so in the future.
* 
* Mallory Yu talks to 
* Tom Kaczynski 
* 
The information on Diamond's site makes me think this is a small week for new books, and only from their core partners. That means a new Hellboy book, which is nearly always of a reliable quality.
* John Siuntres talks to 
* my friend and yours the podcaster Gil Roth of Virtual Memories 
* Rob Clough on 
* Greg Hunter talks to 
* Sheehan Hannan profiles 
* Leonard Pierce on 
* Robin McConnell talks to 
My other job in comics is working as Executive Director of 
* RC Harvey 
* so it's hard to imagine anything cooler 
OCT180199 HEAD LOPPER #10 CVR A MACLEAN (MR) $5.99
* Mark Nevins would like for you to read 
* Frank Young 
* team DCP talks to 
* Jake Murel on 
* Matt Seneca on 
SEP181985 THIMBLE THEATRE PRE POPEYE CARTOONS OF EC SEGAR $85.00
* Kristian Wilson on 
* Matt Seneca on 
* RC Harvey profiles 
