Author: JK Parkin

Ariel Ries, Eleanor Davis and more win 2020 Ignatz Awards

Annual awards typically presented at the Small Press Expo honor excellence in independent comics, graphic novels and minicomics.

The 2020 Ignatz Awards were presented tonight during a livestream on the Small Press Expo YouTube channel

The Ignatz Awards, which have been handed out since 1997, celebrate the outstanding achievements of independent comics, graphic novels and alternative political cartoons. Typically the awards are voted on by SPX attendees and then given out at the event, but given the COVID-19 crisis, this year they opened voting up to anyone and went virtual with the awards ceremony.

Congratulations to all the winners, which you can find in bold below:

Continue reading “Ariel Ries, Eleanor Davis and more win 2020 Ignatz Awards”

Comics Lowdown | Dog Man once again rules the best-seller charts

Plus: News on ‘Fun Home,’ Vault Comics, IDW, DC’s new GM and more.

Not surprisingly, Dog Man has once again claimed the top spot on best-seller charts for USA Today, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, Indie Bound, Toronto Star, and The Globe and Mail, among others. It’s the ninth book in Dav Pilkey’s popular kids graphic novel series to land at No. 1 on the best-seller chart.

Continue reading “Comics Lowdown | Dog Man once again rules the best-seller charts”

Chuck Austen returns to comics with ‘Edgeworld’

Austen team with Hawkman artist Patrick Olliffe on a new title for comiXology Originals.

Here’s a name that will likely bring a strong reaction from comics fans of a certain age — Chuck Austen will return to comics next week with Edgeworld, a new series from comiXology Originals.

Austen will write the series, with veteran artist Patrick Olliffe and colorist Lee Loughridge providing the art. It’s described as “an edgy expectation-busting western set in the far reaches of outer space.”

“Edgeworld is the place people need to go in order to get somewhere else, but not to stay,” said Austen, “It’s a temporary rest stop, a place to blow off some steam on a long journey between the stars. But no one stays on Pala unless the rest of the universe is done with them. No one, that is except for the oppressed Palans and their lone supporter, Killian Jess.”

Continue reading “Chuck Austen returns to comics with ‘Edgeworld’”

Christian Cooper writes a new comic about his Central Park encounter

The comics writer makes his return in the first issue of DC’s ‘Represent!’ which is now free to download.

DC has released the first issue of a planned digital-first series called Represent!, featuring a story by Christian Cooper, Alitha E. Martinez, Mark Morales, Emilio Lopez and Rob Clark Jr. “It’s a Bird” is available to download for free.

Cooper, a former Marvel editor, was thrown into the national spotlight earlier this summer when a white woman walking her dog in New York’s Central Park called the cops on him and said as African-American was threatening her life — just because he asked her to keep her dog on its leash. The incident occurred on the same day that George Floyd was killed by police in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His story in this first issue is a fictionalized account of that encounter.

Continue reading “Christian Cooper writes a new comic about his Central Park encounter”

DC resurrects ‘Batman: Black and White’

The anthology series spotlighting the Dark Knight returns in December.

DC has announced the return of Batman: Black and White, the popular series from the 1990s that featured rotating creators telling stories about Batman, his friends and his foes — all in black and white.

This new iteration will be a six-issue, prestige-format, $5.99 miniseries with an impressive lineup of creators on tap to produce colorless tales of the Dark Knight.

Continue reading “DC resurrects ‘Batman: Black and White’”

‘Avengers,’ ‘Battlestar Galactica Counterstrike’ win at the 2020 Dragon Awards

Congratulations to this year’s winners.

The 2020 Dragon Awards were announced this past weekend, recognizing science fiction and fantasy books, movies, video games and comics. The awards are typically given out during Dragon Con, which was held virtually this year.

The awards, which have been presented annually since 2016, recognize comics in two categories — “Best Comic Book” and “Best Graphic Novel.” Winners were selected in an open vote from the general public.

The winners are:

Continue reading “‘Avengers,’ ‘Battlestar Galactica Counterstrike’ win at the 2020 Dragon Awards”

Fund Me Wednesday | ‘Some Strange Disturbances,’ ‘Skin Horse,’ ‘Ghost Band’ and more

Check out projects by Shelly Bond, Craig Hurd-McKenney, Jason McNamara, Ronald Wimberly and more.

Crowdfunding continues to serve as a viable method for creators to fund their creative endeavors, as comic-related projects flourish on sites like Kickstarter, Patreon and IndieGoGo. The internet also allows creators to sell their creations direct to fans, through sites like Gumroad, Big Cartel and of course their own websites. If you’re looking to buy something from or support a creator directly, you’ve come to the right place. And that’s a good thing to do, now more than ever.

Send any suggestions of your own to jkparkin@yahoo.com.

Continue reading “Fund Me Wednesday | ‘Some Strange Disturbances,’ ‘Skin Horse,’ ‘Ghost Band’ and more”

DC names Daniel Cherry III as SVP and general manager

The hire will allow Jim Lee to focus on ‘the overall DC brand.’

DC Comics has announced that they’ve hired Daniel Cherry III, who previously served as Chief Marketing Officer for Activision Blizzard Esports, as their new SVP and General Manager.

This is a new role for the company, but one that Jim Lee referenced a few weeks back. According to the report, Cherry will be responsible for business affairs, editorial, talent services, marketing, sales, brand and direct to consumer for DC. Like Lee, he’ll report to Pam Lifford, Warner Bros. global brands and experience president.

Continue reading “DC names Daniel Cherry III as SVP and general manager”

IDW names Nachie Marsham as their new publisher

Company also promotes Veronica Brooks to vice president of creative affairs.

IDW Publishing has named Nachie Marsham as their new publisher. Marsham brings about 25 years of experience in the publishing industry to his new job, following roles at Disney Publishing, where he also worked on their Marvel Press imprint, and before that at DC Comics and Wizard Entertainment.

“Working collaboratively to create powerful stories has always been my passion,” said Masham. “IDW is home to some of the most beloved IP in the business and I couldn’t be more excited to join them in furthering these stories and expanding their creative direction across all platforms.”

In addition, IDW announced that Veronica Brooks has been promoted into the role of vice president of creative affairs.

Continue reading “IDW names Nachie Marsham as their new publisher”

Malaka Gharib wins an Arab American Book Award

‘I Was Their American Dream: A Graphic Memoir’ took home the award in the Children/Young Adult category.

Malaka Gharib‘s I Was Their American Dream: A Graphic Memoir has been awarded an Arab American Book Award, in the Children/Young Adult category.

“It’s tremendous that my experience as a Filipino Egyptian American is being recognized & lifted up by the Arab American community,” Gharib said on Twitter.

Continue reading “Malaka Gharib wins an Arab American Book Award”

2020 Ignatz Award nominees announced

The Ignatz Awards celebrate outstanding achievement in independent comics and cartooning.

The Small Press Expo has announced the 2020 Ignatz Award nominees. The Ignatz Awards, which have been handed out since 1997, celebrate the outstanding achievements of independent comics, graphic novels and alternative political cartoons.

The nominees were determined by a panel that included Scott Cederlund, November Garcia, Malala Gharib and Rosemary Valero-O’Connell.

Voting for the annual Ignatz Awards is usually limited to the attendees of the Small Press Expo, but with no physical event being held this year, they are opening it up to everyone. You can register to vote here.

The awards presentation will be livestreamed Sept. 12. And here are the nominees:

Continue reading “2020 Ignatz Award nominees announced”

Can’t Wait for Comics | Dog Man, ‘Empyre,’ Doctor Who and more

New comics and graphic novels arrive this week from Al Ewing, Simone Di Meo, Dav Pilkey, Emma Kubert, Jen Hickman, Zac Thompson, Jody Houser and more.

We are back again with a look at what’s arriving in comic shops, bookstores and on digital this week. And what a week it is, with new Dog Man, Black Widow, Doctor Who and many other debuts, along with the big ending of Marvel’s Empyre miniseries.

If you’re wondering what to get this week, check out a few recommendations below. You can check the Comic List page to see what’s arriving in your local shop, and the comiXology new releases page for what’s available digitally.

Continue reading “Can’t Wait for Comics | Dog Man, ‘Empyre,’ Doctor Who and more”