Comics Briefly
This story originally appeared in PW Comics Week on October 24, 2006 Sign up now!
-- Publishers Weekly, 10/24/2006
Corto Maltese returns from Heavy Metal
Hugo Pratt's Corto Maltese series, recognized as one of the all-time classics of European comics, is returning to the US from Heavy Metal. The first Maltese book, The Ballad of the Salty Sea, will appear in December as a $14.95, comics-sized trade paperback. The series is published by Casterman in France, and previously appeared in English in the 90s from NBM. According to Heavy Metal's Howard Jurofsky, if the first book is successful they will consider producing more. Set in 1914, the first volume follows the adventures of a itinerant and rakish sailor who tries to rescue two kidnapped children from warring factions of smugglers and pirates.
Pope Does FF Anniversary Ish
Super cool indie/corporate comics artist Paul Pope says it's official—he’s writing and drawing a 12 page story for Fantastic Four #543, the FF’s 45th anniversary issue. The issue ships in January and Pope says the story pits a teenage Human Torch against a teenage Spidey. Pope says its, "teenage hotheads, hotrods, hot girls; hopefully in the vein of the Morrison/Quitely Superman comics."
Fantagraphics Sells Out
Fantagraphics is opening its own storefront. The Seattle indie comix publisher is opening a comics store that will offer every book and serial Fantagraphics has in print. The store will also feature a Fantagraphics damaged room with discounted and out of print titles unavailable at any other store. The store will also have an exhibition space and the publisher will post news soon about the slate of shows for 2007. The Fantagraphics store front is located at 1201 South Vale Street, Seattle, Wa. 98108; open Monday through Saturday, 11:30 am to 8pm. Sunday 11:30 to 5pm. 206-658-0110
Stumptown Comics Fest in Portland this weekend
Expanding to two days this year, The Stumptown Comics Fest will be held October 27-28 at the Portland Convention Center in Portland., Or. Now in its third year, the show spotlights indie and small press comics, and this year's special guests include Paul Chadwick, Colleen Coover, Kazu Kibuishi, Keith Knight and Steve Rolston, as well as exhibitors like AdHouse Books, Oni Press and Top Shelf.
Naruto Goes on the Road
Viz Media is launching a national road to tour to highlight the propularity of its manga and anime property Naruto. The tour kicks off in Atlanta, Ga. with stops in Bloomington, Minn. and Cedar Park, Texas. Future dates in 2007 will be announced and more information is available at the tour website. Events are free and will include a Ninja Academy, sneak peaks at upcoming Naruto anime episodes and much more. Fans will also receive a bag full of Naruto schwag.
Blair Butlers Friday Reviews on G4TV
The Best of October
The Other Side #1 (Vertigo): I picked up this comic on a whim—and I’m glad I did. This dark look at two soldiers fighting on opposing sides of the Vietnam War is my pick for the best thing released in October.
The Ultimates 2 #12 (Marvel): Yeah, so it came out at the end of September, but that’s no reason to skip the action-packed, penultimate chapter of Ultimates 2.
Escapist #4 (Dark Horse): A comic for comic nerds, by comic nerds, about comic nerds. It doesn’t get better than this.
Ultimate Power #1 (Marvel): Two of my favorite Marvel franchises, Supreme Power and The Ultimates come crashing into each other courtesy of writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Greg Land.
