Gods, Man and Comics: George O’Connor’s Olympians

For many kids, the gods of Greek mythology are every bit as exciting as the superheroes seen in comic books and on TV. Now, with the release of George O'Connor's graphic novels Zeus: King of the Gods (First Second, Jan.) and Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess (Apr.), the gods look the part. O'Connor spoke with PW Comics Week about his visual inspiration for the books, the relationship between modern superheroes and their mythical predecessors, and how he dealt with the less PC aspects of the myths.

February Comics Bestsellers

Two of Jeff Kinney’s Wimpy Kid series, Dog Days and Last Straw, rule the top two slots; followed by Viz’s Yu-Gi-Oh! GX vol. 4; R. Crumb’s Book of Genesis and Naruto Vol. 47. Next up is Full Metal Alchemist, Vol. 22 at #7; followed by Zombie Survival Guide; Yen Press’s Black Butler, Vol. 1 and Warriors: Shattered Peace.

Diamond's Thresholds a Year Later

On January 16th, 2009, Diamond announced a policy change that would have a huge impact on the comics market: the threshold for orders on new products was bumped up from $1500 to $2500, and fewer items would be relisted after their initial offering. In the year since, the change has had far reaching effects.

Viz Signature and Manga for Grownups

Viz Media editorial manager Leyla Aker took some time to talk with PW Comics Week about the thinking behind the Signature line and Viz’s plans for SigIKKI, an online comics site that also targets older readers, as well as what is in the works for Viz Signature in 2010.

Funnies Business: Big Cross-Over Events and the Barrier Method

You ever notice how hard it is these days to pick up a single comic title from Marvel or DC? And by single a comic title, I mean picking up one series that isn’t crossing over with several other titles a couple times each year and only comes out once a month. If you want to avoid bulk purchases, this plague of crossovers amounts to a barrier to entry for readers.

It’s Here! Comics Publishers Respond to Apple’s iPad

Last week Apple CEO Steven Jobs finally unveiled the iPad, Apple’s much anticipated multimedia computing and reading device, and there was much discussion among comics publishers and fans about what the device will mean for the future of digital comics.

Abrams to Publish Deluxe Simpsons Futurama Collection

If you happen to like the Simpsons and Futurama—and really, who doesn’t?—then you’re going to love Matt Groening’s, The Simpson Futurama Crossover Crisis, a deluxe slip-cased hardcover that collects two periodical mini-series originally published in 2002 and 2005 that will be released in April by Abrams' ComicsArt imprint. The book will have a first printing of 100,000 copies worldwide.

Kevin Smith Gets Dynamic with Green Hornet

Kevin Smith is best known as the director of such slacker classics as Clerks and Dogma, but he has been successfully moonlighting as a comics writer for years, working on such heroes as Green Arrow, Bat-Man and Daredevil. Now his two roles are coming together as he adapts his unproduced Green Hornet screenplay into a 10-issue mini series for Dynamite Entertainment, which debuts in March.

Teaching and Drawing: James Sturm Returns with Market Day

Like so many creative professionals, James Sturm wears more than one hat. Both a dedicated comics educator and a critically acclaimed cartoonist, Sturm is publishing a new work of fiction, Market Day, which will be released this spring by Drawn and Quarterly.

Fantagraphics to Release Special Edition of King Graphic Biography

Originally published in three volumes released between 1993 and 2003, King, Ho Che Anderson’s much acclaimed graphic biography of Martin Luther King, will be re-released in a special revised hardcover edition in February in conjunction with the beginning of Black History Month.

Boom! Studios to Launch New Imprint

Despite a tough economy that has forced other publishers to scale back, independent comics publisher Boom! Studios is upsizing its operations and launching Boom! Town, a new imprint that will focus on “literary comics” and selective reissues of out-of-print works in addition to merchandising deals. The new line has projects lined up with legendary comics publisher and now literary agent Denis Kitchen and with cartoonist Shannon Wheeler, creator of Too Much Coffee Man.

Discovering Manga with Frederik Schodt

Writer, translator and Japanese pop culture expert, Frederik Schodt was writing about manga and Osamu Tezuka when many of us were still watching the Flintstones. Schodt has written a number of books on Japan including Dreamland Japan, The Astroboy Essays, and the reference book on Japanese comics that has become somewhat of a bible, Manga! Manga! The World of Japanese Comics.

Comics Briefly: 1/26/2010

Panel Mania: Afrodisiac

Brian Maruca and Jim Rugg's Afrodisac is a collection of short stories focusing on the character Afrodisiac, a mysterious black man endowed with super powers who also happens to be irresistable to woman and even aliens. The stories combine the tongue-in-cheek style of 1970s blaxploitation movies and comics. This preview includes selections from several stories. Afrodisiac is published by AdHouse Books.

Recipe Report: Nonfat Gingersnaps

When you think of a gingersnap, you probably think of a thin, crisp cookie that really snaps when you bite into it. But Nonfat Gingersnaps from David Lebovitz's new Ready for Dessert (Ten Speed) are thicker, softer, and chewier than a traditional gingersnap. And they're delicious. As Lebovitz recommends, I used the cookies to make ice cream sandwiches (I used plain vanilla ice cream, although he suggests tangy lemon frozen yogurt, which sounds great, too).

Comics Reviews: 1/25/2010

Northlanders, Zombie Tales and Wizzywig Volumes 3 are reviewed this week.

New Cookbooks from Top Chef Alums

When it comes to instant celebrity status, few opportunities can rival those presented by reality TV. Real housewives, survivors, and big losers have all gone on to write bestsellers long after their five minutes of on-air fame ended. And while none of the contestants on Bravo’s Top Chef have seen bestsellerdom yet, there are some hopefuls on the horizon.

Cooking the Books with David Lebovitz

In May, Ten Speed will publish pastry chef, cookbook author and food blogger David Lebovitz’s new book, Ready for Dessert: My Best Recipes. The book is a “greatest hits” of sorts, with updated versions of 150 previously published recipes, plus 10 brand new ones. In this interview, Lebovitz talks about how his recipes have evolved, what he tries to accomplish when writing head notes, and why he’s totally fine with giving away recipes free online.

Entertaining Books Take the Fear Factor Out of Hors D’Oeuvres

Though fads in entertaining come and go, authors who've mastered the genre—think Lee Bailey, Martha Stewart, and Ina Garten—seem to emphasize simplicity and instill readers with confidence. This spring, at least five new books will enter the marketplace. Some are personality-driven, others focus on themed occasions, but all attempt to give readers the assurance that throwing a great party is within reach for any novice.

Barron's Creates Separate Test Prep Division

Barron’s has broken out its test prep imprint into a separate division, it announced today. Bob O’Sullivan, who has been with the company for 10 years, most recently as managing editor, will be publisher of the Test Preparation division beginning February 1. O’Sullivan will assume all managerial responsibility for editorial and production, and will work on expanding the program both in print and digitally. He will report to Barron’s president and publisher Ellen Sibley.