J. M. Straczynski to Quit Monthlies, Write More Graphic Novels
The comics writer J. Michael Straczynski, creator of Babylon 5 and scripter of the movie Changeling, has announced he will be leaving his duties on DC's flagship titles Superman and Wonder Woman in order to write a sequel to his popular new original graphic novel, Superman: Earth One. Straczynski started ambitious new storylines on Superman and Wonder Woman, the first involving a flightless walk across the nation, the other a new costume and backstory, complete with a full memory wipe. Both stories will now be completed by Chris Roberson on Superman and Phil Hester on Wonder Woman. More details are available on DC's official blog The Source.
Comics at the Miami Book Fair
The Miami Book Fair will once again have its own comic book division entitled Comix Galaxy at this year's event. Comix Galaxy features will include its School of Comics for Educators and Librarians, Kids Comic Con courtesy of Alex Simmons, and a wide array of comics guests including Raina Telgenmeier, Greg Rucka, Lynda Barry, Jimmy Palmiotti, Kim Deitch, Chip Kidd, Inverna Lockpez, Joe Sacco and Jan Van Meter. The Miami Book Fair takes place from November 14 – 21, with its street fair running the 19-21. Details are available on the show's website, MiamiBookFair.com.
Spider-Man Musical Unsafe?
Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark, the Broadway Spider-Man musical written by Bono and the Edge and created by Julie Taymor has run into yet another difficulty – the danger it poses to its performers. Unsurprisingly for a stage spectacular about a webslinging superhero, there are a lot of wire-flying and acrobatic stunts. Unfortunately, these have recently caused a rash of injuries amongst the cast has caused safety inspectors from the New York Department of Labor and Actor's Equity to take a close and critical look at the show. One actor, Kevin Aubin, broke both of his wrists during a stunt gone wrong. He requires help to feed, dress and bathe himself until he heals, though the production is footing the bill for his home care. Originally set to go into previews at the end of this month, the show has been delayed until January 11, possibly in part because of safety concerns. More details are available at the New York Post here.
Kirby Krackle Comics Band Signs With Marvel
Kirby Krackle, a rock band specializing in songs about comic books and comic book characters, has signed a deal with Marvel Comics for an as yet undisclosed project known only as “Project Moonbase”. Based out of Seattle, Kirby Krackle first became known on the internet, and recently played at the 2010 New York Comic Con. Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada has performed live with the band on a number of occasions. Jim Demonakos, the band's drummer and one of its song writers, is the founder of Seattle's Emerald City Comic Con as well as The Comic Shop, Washington State's largest chain of comic book stores. They are currently campaigning to get “Ring Capacity”, an ode to Green Lantern, into the upcoming in the same title. More details are available on Comics Alliance.
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Creator to be Graphic Novel
Stieg Larsson, late author of the hit mystery novel The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, which has already been made into two different major motion pictures, is set to become the subject of a graphic novel himself. Larsson was a crusading reporter, a fervent Trotskeyite, and an activist against the white-supremacist movement. Artist Frederic Rebena and Guilliame Lebeau will create the graphic novel, slated to come out next year, for the French publisher Depuis. This report comes from the Swedish paper Dagens Industi via Bleeding Cool.
This Week @ Good Comics For Kids
This week School Library Journal’s blog Good Comics for Kids covered KidsComics.com, what the GC4K bloggers are reading this week, a preview of Mickey Mouse on Quandom Island, a links roundup from Brigid Alverson about Retro Disney, Pocky Day, and Homer Price in Capesand the 11/10 roundup of good comics for kids.
This Week @ The Beat
This week PWCW editor Heidi MacDonald’s blog The Beat covered Wimpy Kid vs W, new manga properties licensed by Viz, the relationship between comics and beards, the webcomic Our Valued Customers, Wizard buys Mid-Ohio Comic Con for real this time, the graphic novel, J. Michael Straczynski and the future of DC Comics, fictional death and the comic book publisher, the September month-to-month indie comics sales numbers, even industrial metal producers get in on the graphic novel game, comics creator Steve Rude gets to keep his house thanks to an auction and the support of the comics community, Stan Lee on The Craig Ferguson Show, the “death” of Spider-Man, the new San Diego Convention Center expansion plans , JMS's new graphic novel plans, Charlie Kochman's promotion at Abrams ComicsArts and speaks directly to her readers in Credo: The State of the Beat.
