Month: December 2020

Tamaki, Campbell and more win 2020 Joe Shuster Awards

Seth, Bernie Mireault inducted into the Canadian Comic Book Creator Hall of Fame.

The winners of the 2020 Joe Shuster Awards were announced this weekend, recognizing outstanding achievement in the creation of comic books, graphic novels and webcomics by Canadian creators.

Joe Shuster, drawn by Tom Grummett

Established in 2004, The Joe Shuster Awards are named in honor of Superman co-creator Joe Shuster. Nominees must be either Canadian citizens or permanent residents in Canada. The winners were chosen by a jury.

Congratulations to this year’s winners, whose names are in bold below:

Continue reading “Tamaki, Campbell and more win 2020 Joe Shuster Awards”

Marvel announces ‘Demon Days: X-Men’ by Peach Momoko

The project kicks off in March.

Peach Momoko, who is probably best known these days for her cover work, will write and draw a five-issue series for Marvel, the publisher announced.

Demon Days: X-Men #1 will start a five-part prestige series featuring Wolverine, Psylocke, Venom and others in “Momoko’s one-of-a-kind style.” Each issue of the series will be released once every three months, with reimagined versions of these popular characters.

“The entire series takes place in Japan,” Momoko told Marvel.com. “I will be introducing numerous Marvel characters in a brand-new format. So, I would like everyone to forget about what they are supposed to be in the real Marvel universe. My characters aren’t Super Heroes. Some are samurai, some are oni and other yōkai, some are shamans, some are yojimbos… and many others. I have kept many of their special power, but also tweaked a lot to give it a natural yōkai story power. Again, I pushed a lot of boundaries with all the characters. I hope everyone enjoys the different versions that I created. But I kept enough that I think everyone can still know who each are.”

Continue reading “Marvel announces ‘Demon Days: X-Men’ by Peach Momoko”

What Are You Reading? | ‘Batman,’ ‘Home Sick Pilots’ and more

See what the Smash Pages crew has been reading lately.

Happy holidays and welcome to What Are You Reading?, our weekly look at what the Smash Pages crew has been reading lately.

Let us know what you read this week in the comments or on social media.

Continue reading “What Are You Reading? | ‘Batman,’ ‘Home Sick Pilots’ and more”

DC sails into an ‘Infinite Frontier’ in 2021

New creative teams and directions arrive in March, along with a one-shot to kick it all off.

After a reality-altering crossover in Dark Nights: Death Metal over the last few months and a look into the future with DC Future State in January and February of next year, DC will chart a new path in its regular ongoing titles in March, starting with a one-shot called Infinite Frontier that’ll kick everything off.

“Infinite Frontier #0 really feels like the beginning of a new era of DC Comics, a time when anything is possible,” said writer Joshua Williamson. “We’re taking the aftermath of Dark Nights: Death Metal and combining it with the best things we love as storytellers about the DC Universe, resulting in bold, fun, and exciting new directions. There are a lot of teases to new story lines, surprises, and mysteries for the year set up in Infinite Frontier #0 that you won’t want to miss.” 

Dc has already revealed new titles and creative teams for March over the last few weeks, and the release of their solicitations for that month lay it all out. Here’s a rundown of what to expect:

Continue reading “DC sails into an ‘Infinite Frontier’ in 2021”

Marvel will celebrate Man-Thing’s 50th anniversary next year

Steve Orlando and Francesco Mobili put Man-Thing at the center of a worldwide threat, starting in ‘Avengers: Curse of the Man-Thing #1.’

Marvel will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the debut of Man-Thing next year with three comics featuring the muck monster by Steve Orlando and Francesco Mobili.

Avengers: Curse of the Man-Thing #1 kicks things off, “the start of a three-part Marvel Universe-spanning saga that will redefine one of Marvel’s most unique characters for a new age.” Each issue will focus on a different corner of the Marvel Universe, starting with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.

“It’s a huge honor to be asked to make my debut as part of a character’s anniversary. There’s an incredible amount of faith and opportunity there, and it’s something I never take lightly!” Orlando told the website Bloody Disgusting. “It is honestly amazing to be welcomed to Marvel and tell this nailbiter of a story that’s going to remind people just how unique Man-Thing is. He’ll be better positioned than ever to shock and scare readers and villains alike, but first he’ll have to survive an attack that cuts him to his core and sets the Marvel Universe ablaze.”

Man-Thing was created by Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, Gerry Conway and Gray Morrow. making his first appearance in 1971’s Savage Tales #1. Since then, he’s had his own ongoing title, several miniseries and has appeared in other comics like Avengers and Thunderbolts.

Continue reading “Marvel will celebrate Man-Thing’s 50th anniversary next year”

IDW announces six new graphic novels for 2021

New middle-grade graphic novels from Stan Sakai, Kim Dwinell, India Swift, Ray Friesen and more will arrive next year.

IDW has announced six new graphic novels aimed at the middle-grade (9-12 years old) audience, coming in summer 2021 from both IDW Publishing and their Top Shelf imprint.

The line-up includes new books by Kim Dwinell, India Swift, Ray Friesen and more. Plus: Chibi Usagi!

“Today’s young readers have an insatiable appetite for vibrant, thoughtful stories, so we’re thrilled to deliver an inspired mix of titles that showcases the full potential of graphic storytelling,” said Justin Eisinger, Editorial Director, Graphic Novels & Collections for IDW. “These books run the gamut from outright fun to introspective and even educational, further evidence that IDW and Top Shelf are home to an eclectic, necessary library of fiction and non-fiction graphic novels.”

Here are the publisher’s descriptions on what was announced:

Continue reading “IDW announces six new graphic novels for 2021”

Comics Lowdown | Eisner judges announced

Also: Batman manga coming to Japan, Ohio legislators complain about anime text, and a chat with the creator of the ‘Sickos’ meme

Eisner Awards: The judges for the 2021 Eisner Awards have been announced: Retailer Marco Davanzo, who is the executive director of ComicsPRO); Shelley Fruchey, a member of the Comic-Con Board of Directors; Pamela Jackson, Popular Culture Librarian and Comic Arts Curator in Special Collections and University Archives at San Diego State Universit; Keithan Jones, founder and owner of the independent publisher KID Comics; Alonso Nuñez, executive director, and lead instructor of Little Fish Comic Book Studio in San Diego; and independent comics scholar Jim Thompson.

Continue reading “Comics Lowdown | Eisner judges announced”

Baker + Goux reteam for ‘Everyone Is Tulip’

The creators of ‘F*Ck Off Squad’ reunite for a new graphic novel about fame and the internet.

Dark Horse has announced a new graphic novel by the team of Dave Baker, Nicole Goux and Ellie Hall titled Everyone Is Tulip that examines the price of fame in the internet age.

“This project is a deeply personal work for me. It’s mined from experience, both personal and observed,” Baker said. “Everyone Is Tulip is a narrative centered around compromise. It seems to be the singular constant in the existence of most artists. How to mitigate it, how to embrace it, and how to live with it.”

Continue reading “Baker + Goux reteam for ‘Everyone Is Tulip’”

America Chavez returns in a new series by Kalinda Vazquez + Carlos Gómez

The series begins in March.

America Chavez, the character who debuted in the pages of Vengeance and later joined the Young Avengers, will break out into a new solo series next year. America Chavez: Made in the USA will kick off in March from the team of Kalinda Vazquez and Carlos Gómez.

This comic was originally announced in March 2020, when the COVID pandemic started to take hold of the world.

“I’m so hyped for this new series!” Gómez said. “Her style and her powers make her an awesome character… There is so much you can do with her, it’s insane. I couldn’t be happier to jump on this ship. So be ready for a new origin story with a ton of unexpected twists!”

Continue reading “America Chavez returns in a new series by Kalinda Vazquez + Carlos Gómez”

Snyder + Daniel’s ‘Nocterra’ will debut in March from Image Comics

The comic features a world with no sun and the badass trucker who navigates it.

Following a successful Kickstarter campaign that ran earlier this year, Scott Snyder and Tony S. Daniel’s creator-owned title Nocterra will debut from Image Comics in March.

Originally titled Nocternal, the comic raised more than $200,000 on Kickstarter in late summer. While the campaign offered lots of extras and collectible editions, the intent was for it to eventually be published by Image.

“Nocterra marks my return to solo creator owned work, and it’s a book I’ve been dying to do for years,” said Snyder. “It mixes the horror of my indie series like Wytches and American Vampire with the high-octane stakes of my DC work to bring you something personal, twisted and big, big fun. And I couldn’t ask for a better co-creator on Nocterra than buddy and superstar artist Tony Daniel. His art on this book is next level, and with the amazing Tomeu Morey on colors and Deron Bennett on letters, and Will Dennis editing, we’ve got an all star team steering this wild ride. So get ready for trucks, monsters and mayhem on an epic scale…”  

Continue reading “Snyder + Daniel’s ‘Nocterra’ will debut in March from Image Comics”

Diamond announces date for Free Comic Book Day 2021

Mark your calendar for Aug. 14 and cross your fingers.

Diamond Comics Distributors has announced that Free Comic Book Day will return in 2021 on Aug. 14. While FCBD has traditionally been held in May in the past, the release notes that it’s being moved to August “in the hopes that much of the uncertainty and disruption related to COVID-19 will have passed.”

The 2021 event will be the 20th time local comic shops will host Free Comic Book Day. The idea was conceived by Joe Field, owner of Flying Colors Comics & Other Cool Stuff in Concord, California.

“I am so happy to be making this announcement today and so proud of our work with retailers and vendors these last 20 years to bring more awareness to the comic books we all love,” said Steve Geppi, President, Chairman & CEO of Geppi Family Enterprises. “In the past two decades, fans have experienced some truly remarkable Free Comic Book Day events because of the commitment of our partners to create an incredible celebration of comics. It’s such an energizing day and we look forward to making our 20th anniversary celebration the best one yet!”

Continue reading “Diamond announces date for Free Comic Book Day 2021”

Dash Shaw announces ‘Discipline’

The new graphic novel will arrive next fall from the New York Review of Comics.

Comics creator and animator Dash Shaw, whose work includes Cosplayers, Doctors, New School and Bottomless Belly Button, among others, has announced a new graphic novel for next year.

Discipline, a graphic novel about Quakers who fought in the Civil War, will be published by New York Review Comics.

Continue reading “Dash Shaw announces ‘Discipline’”