Comics Announcements from Wondercon
DC announced a new flashback series of one-shot comics entitled Retro-Active, featuring work from famous creators on the titles they are known for, set in the era they originally worked on them. Planned issues include Denny O'Neil on 70's Green Lantern, Marv Wolfman on 80's Superman, and Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis on 90's Justice League of America. IDW announced they will be bringing out a deluxe reprint of Walter Simonson's run on the Marvel comic Thor, as well as a new ongoing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series. And only hours after Wondercon, but not at the actual convention, Marvel announced that Steve Rogers will be returning to his job as Captain America in comics just in time for his movie.
Archie's Gay Character Kevin Gets A Spinoff Series
After receiving an extremely positive reaction when he first appeared in Veronica #202 last year, Kevin Keller - Archie's first openly gay character - will be the subject of his own comics mini-series. A newcomer to Riverdale High, the teenager was written as a fellow classmate to Archie's iconic characters. The four issue mini-series coming this June will explore the character's life in Riverdale and backstory in more depth. More details are available here.
Stan Lee Creates Schwarzenegger Cartoon
Marvel Comics' legendary editor Stan Lee has revealed the first glimpse of his newest project – The Governator, a cartoon starring Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as a former politician and secret crimefighter. The show is intended to air on television, although no channel has been named.
Tara McPherson’s Candy Store Machine Opens in Brooklyn
Cartoonist and illustrator Tara McPherson along with Sean Leonard have launched the Candy Store Machine, a boutique and gallery in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The Candy Store Machine will launch on Sat. April 9 from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. with Tiny Trifecta, a gigantic group show with exactly 100 artists. Work sells for $100 each and the show is opening on the 100thday of the year. The Candy Store Machine is located at 235 South First Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Houghton Mifflin Acquires Roman and Green’s ‘Teen Boat’
Teen Boat, an Ignatz award-winning mini-comic about a teenage boy who can turn himself into a small yacht, has been acquired for publication as a graphic novel by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Teen Boat is written by Dave Roman, creator of Astronaut Academy, Agnes Quill and coauthor of X-Men: Misfits and other graphic works, and illustrated by John Green, cocreatior of Jax Epoch and a variety of comics for Disney, Nickelodeon, Dreamworks and DC Comics. The collected Teen Boat will be in full color and include 33 new pages. The book is scheduled to be released in Spring 2012. The book was acquired by Daniel Nayeri at Clarion/HMH in a deal negotiated by Judith Hansen of the Hansen Literary Agency. Here’s a link to a promotional video based on Roman’s Astronaut Academy which will be published by First Second Books in June.
Matt Fraction Live in Portland
Eisner-winning comics writer Matt Fraction will appear at the comics shop Things From Another World in Portland, Oregon tomorrow, from 7-10 p.m. Fraction will be signing and speaking about his new comic, Fear Itself #1, Marvel's newest comics event. Refreshments will be provided, including free beer for those with valid I.D. Things from Another World is located at 4122 North East Sandy Boulevard, Portland, OR.
The Hooded Utilitarian on Sammy Harkham
A critical essay on the comics of Sammy Harkham, editor of Kramers Ergot, has appeared on comics site The Hooded Utilitarian.Written by critic and comics creator James Romberger, the essay analyzes Harkham's Crickets #3 in depth, and in the context of his other comics work. Romberger is the co-creator of the new graphic novel Aaron and Ahmed.
This Week @ Good Comics For Kids
This week School Library Journal’s blog Good Comics for Kids covered Shaun Tan's Lindgren Award, had a review ofLibrary Wars: Love and War Vol. 1-4, what the GC4K reviewers are reading this week, and the 3/30 listing of comics suitable for all ages.
This Week @ The Beat
This week at PWCW editor Heidi MacDonald’s blog The Beat, she covered Wondercon 2011 in depth and the 2011 Inkwell Awards nominees.
