Islamic Comic The 99 to Crossover with Justice League
Naif Al-Mutawa's internationally popular comic The 99 will be in an official crossover with DC Comics's Justice League of America in a six-part mini-series written by Stuart Moore and Fabian Nicieza beginning this October. President Obama has praised The 99 for its work promoting tolerance for young readers. The comic, while set in the Islamic world, featuring Muslim characters and espousing Al-Mutawa's personal vision of positive Muslim values is not actually actively religious. There is a successful The 99 amusement park in Kuwait, and the comic is in development for an animation project. The first issue of The 99 is available free in English on the Teshkeel Comics website.
Millar's Clint Open for Submissions
CliNT, the new British comics anthology magazine edited by Mark Millar, creator of Wanted and Kick-Ass, has opened for submissions from the general public. Creators are encouraged to submit three to five page stories online on the Millarworld forums for a feature entitled “Space Oddities.”Millar has vowed that every issue will contain at least one work from an unknown comics creator, and while he is particularly interested in new British talent, he is accepting submissions from all over the world. More details are available in this article on Comic Book Resources.
Ignatz Award Nominees Announced
The nominees for the 2010 Ignatz Comics Awards have been announced online. The Ignatz Awards, named after the Krazy Kat character, take place every September at the Small Press Expo. Categories include Outstanding Artist, Anthology or Collection, Graphic Novel, Story, Series, Comic, Mini-Comic, Online Comic and Promising New Talent.
Baltimore Comic-Con This Weekend.
Baltimore Comic-Con is coming August 28-29 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland. Guests include Sergio Aragones, Carla Speed McNeil, Terry Moore, James Robinson and many more. As well as guests, vendors and panel programming, the convention will also contain the prestigious Harvey Awards for comics. The con is open from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, and admission ranges from $15 for Sunday entrance to $28 for the weekend, with children under 10 entering free. Baltimore Convention Center is located at One West Pratt Street, and entrance to the con is through the Sharp Street entrance.
Comics at the Brooklyn Book Festival
Brooklyn’s annual celebration of books and authors will take place the weekend of September 10-12 at Brooklyn Borough Hall and other locations in the borough. The Brooklyn Book Festival will also feature two panels on comics:
The International Graphic Novel: Drawing from Life: Three acclaimed cartoonists, whose work takes on social and political themes, talk about the on-the-ground research and background work they have all done in preparation for creating their books. London-based author Nick Abadzis (Laika), Josh Neufeld (AD: New Orleans After The Deluge) and Jessica Abel (La Perdida). Moderated by Matt Madden (99 Ways To Tell a Story).
Comics and Form: Is the Medium Still the Message?: Do comics change when they are released from their traditional print medium? And how? Creators, publishers and developers will combine to discuss the expanding boundaries of the comics format. Robert Berry (Ulysses Seen), Ben Katchor (Julius Knipl: Real Estate Photographer),Jillian Tamaki (Skim). Moderated by Columibia University librarian Karen Green.
Comics 4 Comix Cartoon Art Museum Fundraiser
The Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco is holding a comedy fundraiser this September 7 at 8 p.m. with headliner Dana Gould of The Simpsons writing crew and local comedians Joe Klocek and Mike Meehan. The event will also include an auction of work from such cartoonists and comics creators as Lyn Johnston, Keith Knight and Dan Piraro. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased from Live Nation or at the door on the day of the event.
Keith Giffen Returns to Comics Art
Popular comics writer Keith Giffen is returning to his pencilling roots for Doom Patrol #16 and Outsiders #34 coming this November. Giffen has served primarily as a writer for the past decade.
Call For Information: PW Feature on Graphic Novels as Gifts
Feature: Graphic Novels as Gifts
Issue: Sept. 13 Deadline: Aug. 30
Needed: Finely designed hardcover and trade paper graphic novels, boxed sets or oversized editions of comics works. Please send high-res art, product shots, and promo materials to Calvin Reid, PW, 71 W. 23rd St., Ste. 1608, New York, NY 10010 (creid@publishersweekly.com). Please mark packages “Graphic Novels as Gifts.”
This Week @ Good Comics For Kids
This week School Library Journal’s blog Good Comics for Kids had a review ofGabby and Gator, How I Made it to Eighteen and Networked: Caraballa on the Run, vacation reading links, a Batman, Sherlock Holmes and Persephone themed links roundup from Brigid Alverson andthe 8/18 listing of comics suitable for all ages.
This Week @ The Beat
This week PWCW editor Heidi MacDonald’s blog The Beat covered the Hero Initiative’s new Dick Giordano Humanitarian of the Year Award, Wizard head Gareb Shamus on his convention strategy, comic creator Dean Haspiel’s Emmy win, Baltimore Comic Con’s guest and programming list, impeached Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich’s signing appearances at Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, a wrap-up of Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, July’s wobbly comics sales, Brendan McCarthy’s ongoing search for a publisher, and the New York Anime Festival’s music schedule.
