Random Comics News Story Round-Up

* I was totally stumped yesterday during a radio interview as to what the world financial crisis might mean for comics publishing in other countries, but here's an article that may provide a bit of a clue: a line of BD shuts down after looking -- one would guess unsuccessfully -- for a buyer. Moreover, the article suggests it might be an early sign of market unrest.

* the prominent blogger and cartoonist Mike Lynch publishes the explanation proffered by a group against the recent Orphan Work Act as to why they put out word last week that it was working its way through the House under cover of financial distress. Supporters were calling their congressman to try and get it started, although it doesn't look like it was re-introduced onto the floor.

* the Italian Masters of Comic Art show opening at Scott Eder Gallery comes with the usual terrific gallery featuring some of the best cartoonists out there, if you have five minutes or so to burn. The Andrea Bruno pages are worth a click-through all by themselves.

* the writer Steve Duin goes to four Portland comic shops.

* not comics: incredibly deep editorial cuts expected at the LA Times. I'm not sure how much of this is due to the unique culture that has developed at the Times over the last few years and how much of this is specifically indicative of national trends, but either way, it's troubling.

* another piece recognizing the death of comics character Jonathan Kent in current Superman in-comic continuity. I still think this is an odd thing to do, because it reduces what was once a powerful element of Superman's origin -- learning the limits of his superpowers through the passing of his adoptive parents -- to a much-later-in-life question that comes with a goofy superhero/villain combat element, because who can't relate to someone losing their parent through a vicious crime related to one's work?

* "I still like regular books and regular things better."

* finally, here a missed it piece: I'm not sure why Devil's Due self-distributing a comic whose rights situation has been questioned is the focus of this story rather than Diamond declining to distribute it -- there's really only two choices for Devil's Due, and this is one of them. Then again, I totally missed the story, and should probably just shut up. I'd be interested in seeing figures for how much penetration a company like Devil's Due can make into the comic store market by itself, but I doubt that's forthcoming.
 
posted 7:30 am PST | Permalink
 

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