Month: September 2023

A new Moon Knight will rise after Marc Spector’s death

‘Vengeance of the Moon Knight’ by Jed MacKay and Alessandro Cappuccio will see another character put on the hood.

If you’ve been a mainstream superhero comic fan for any amount of time, you’ve probably noticed certain patterns emerge. For instance, when a major superhero dies, it isn’t long before that void is filled.

Following the announcement that they plan to kill Moon Knight later this year, Marvel has announced Vengeance of the Moon Knight by Jed MacKay and Alessandro Cappuccio, which will kick off in the new year. It’ll follow Moon Knight #30, which will end the current series.

(In the words of my kid, “Can Moon Knight even die?” I guess we’ll find out.

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Smash Pages Q&A | Joshua Viola on ‘True Believers’

The writer and owner of the publishing house Hex Publishers discusses his new comic with co-writer Stephen Graham Jones and artist Ben Matsuya about cosplay gone very wrong.

This weekend the Colorado Festival of Horror returns to Denver, giving fans the chance to interact with creators, actors and more, and even dress up like their favorite slashers, from Jason to Freddie to … Killr™?

If you aren’t familiar with Killr™, don’t fret — this serial killer is a new creation debuting in the pages of True Believers by Joshua Viola, Stephen Graham Jones and Ben Matsuya. The trio has teamed up to tell the fictional story of cosplay gone wrong at the very real festival.

Viola, who in addition to being a writer is also the publisher and owner of Denver-based Hex Publishers, was kind enough to answer some questions about True Believers, which is currently on Kickstarter.

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Excerpt: Gamal Hennessy on how to find clients as a freelance creator

The author of ‘The Business of Independent Comic Book Publishing’ shares advice from the book, which is currently up on Kickstarter.

Today we are pleased to present an excerpt from The Business of Freelance Comic Book Publishing by attorney, author and business consultant Gamal Hennessy. This is a follow-up to his previous book on working in the industry, The Business of Independent Comic Book Publishing.

The new book aims to “help its readers develop a business model for their services, leverage the assets they offer to the industry, and transform their skill, time, and creativity into financial gain.” It’s currently up on Kickstarter, and very close to reaching its goal.

How Do You Find Clients As A Freelance Creator?

By Gamal Hennessy

This is a modified excerpt from a book I’m working on called The Business of Freelance Comic Book Publishing. It looks at the basis of forming good business relationships with your clients. While this can’t be taken as legal or financial advice, it can help you find the right customer for your services.

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Can’t Wait for Comics | Prepare for Batman Day

Check out comics and graphic novels arriving this week by Rafael Grampá, Jillian Tamaki, Mariko Tamaki, Tom Scioli, Joshua Williamson, Simone Di Meo, Al Ewing, Sam Maggs, Greco Ornella and more.

Welcome to Can’t Wait for Comics, your guide to what comics are arriving in comic book stores, bookstores and on digital.

With Batman Day coming up on Sept. 16, DC will release several new titles and collections featuring the Dark Knight this week, including the new Rafael Grampá Black Label Batman project and a Batman and Robin ongoing. There’s also a new Jillian Tamaki and Mariko Tamaki graphic novel, a new Daredevil title and a pair of biographical graphic novels on Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

I’ve pulled out some of the highlights below, but for the complete list of everything you might find at your local comic shop and on digital this week, you’ll want to check out one or more of the following:

As a reminder, things can change and what you find on the above lists may differ from what’s actually arriving in your local shop. So always check with your comics retailer for the final word on availability.

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Chris Claremont will write a new Wolverine tale next year

Claremont and artist Edgar Salazar will head back to World War II for a story starring Wolverine, Captain America and Black Widow.

Longtime X-Men writer Chris Claremont will return to the story he started in Uncanny X-Men #268 for a new miniseries with artist Edgar Salazar titled Wolverine: Madripoor Knights.

Uncanny X-Men #268 featured a “lost” tale from the 1940s that featured Captain America and Wolverine saving a kidnapped child — the Black Widow — from Nazis in Madripoor, the fictional island nation Wolverine has called home on and off during his unnaturally long lifespan. It also establishes that Black Widow is way older than anyone suspected, most likely due to the Black Widow Ops Program. The comic was originally released in 1990, which would have made the Black Widow over 50, but in 2024, well … that makes her over 80, if the continuity is held up. It may be one of those “best not to think too hard about it” things that pop up in Marvel continuity now and again.

“Hard to believe, Bub, I’ve known Logan for 50 years!” Claremont said. “And Natasha was in the first Marvel story I ever wrote. This trip back to Madripoor reveals hidden truths about two of my favorite characters on the adventure that shaped their lives.”

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Olivia Stephens, ‘Ducks,’ ‘The God of Arepo’ and more win at the 2023 Ignatz Awards

The annual awards honoring excellence in independent comics, graphic novels and minicomics were presented last night at the Small Press Expo.

The annual Ignatz Awards, which are shaped like a brick, were handed out last night during a ceremony at the Small Press Expo.

The Ignatz Awards, which have been presented since 1997, celebrate the outstanding achievements of independent comics, graphic novels and minicomics. They are named for the mouse that appears in the Krazy Kat comics by George Herriman.

Nominees were selected by a jury that included Ellen Lindner, Juniper Kim, L. Nichols, Ally Shwed, Jason Little and Kotaline Jones, with the winners being selected via an online ballot.

Congratulations to this year’s winners:

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Kate Beaton, Ed Brubaker, Evan ‘Doc’ Shaner and more win at the 2023 Ringo Awards

The winners were announced during a ceremony held at the Baltimore Comic-Con this weekend.

The winners for the 2023 Ringo Awards were announced last night at the Baltimore Comic-Con. This marks the sixth year for the awards program named for artist Mike Wieringo, who passed away in 2007.

Nominees were selected earlier this year by an open nomination process and a jury that consisted of Diamond’s Troy-Jeffrey Allen, artist Richard Case, comics creator and instructor Amy Chu, writer Abby Denson and Valiant sales manager/former retailer John Petrie.

Besides the Ringo Awards themselves, a few other awards were given out during the ceremony, including two from the Hero Initiative. Chris Claremont received the Hero Initiative Lifetime Achievement Award, while Al Milgrom received the Dick Giordano Humanitarian Award.

The Mike Wieringo Comic Book Industry Spirit Award went to the comic World’s Finest by Mark Waid and Dan Mora, and published by DC. This award is selected every year by perennial jurors Todd Dezago, Craig Rousseau, Mark Waid and Matt Wieringo, Mike’s brother.

The Ringo’s fan award categories, which are selected by open voting, were also presented:

  • Fan Favorite Hero: Sam Young, Let’s Play
  • Fan Favorite Villain: Adam, The Guy Upstairs
  • Fan Favorite New Series: Nevermore
  • Fan Favorite New Talent: artist/colorist Ellie Wright
  • Fan Favorite Publisher: Dark Horse

You can see the rest of the winners below.

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‘Marvel’s Voices: Avengers’ anthology assembles in December

Robbie Thompson, Sid Kotian, Justina Ireland and more will tell stories featuring Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.

Marvel’s next “Voices” anthology will spotlight members of the Avengers, bringing together a diverse group of talent to tell stories featuring Captain America, Photon, Robbie Reyes and more.

The anthology series, which originated from a podcast on Marvel.com with the same name, has been published since 2020. It spotlights “diverse storytellers and their journeys,” as well as characters from diverse backgrounds. This year Marvel began spotlighting specific character groups, like the Spider-Verse characters, the X-Men and the citizens of Wakanda, in stories by diverse creators.

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‘Zippy the Pinhead’ creator Bill Griffith wins the Reuben Award

The National Cartoonist Society recognized cartoonists and artists across several categories this week.

The National Cartoonists Society has awarded Zippy the Pinhead creator Bill Griffith with its prestigious Reuben Award. The award was presented last night at a ceremony and awards dinner in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Griffith was one of five cartoonists nominated for the award, chosen from a field that included Jeff Smith, Hilary B. Price, Will Henry and Mark Tatulli.

Griffith began his career in 1969, with his strips appearing in publications like East Village Other and Screw Magazine. He moved to San Francisco in the early 1970s to become part of the underground comix movement, which is where Zippy was born. The strip first appeared in Real Pulp #1, then became a weekly in 1976.

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‘Fire Power’ will conclude with issue #30

Robert Kirkman, Chris Samnee and company bring the story of Owen Johnson and his family to a close in December.

Fire Power, the Skybound title published by Image Comics and created by Robert Kirkman, Chris Samnee, Matthew Wilson and Rus Wooton, will end with issue #30 this December.

The 56-page oversized issue will wrap up the story of Owen Johnson and his fireball-wielding family, which began back in 2020.

“It’s all been building to this. From the humble beginnings of Owen’s journey for the truth about his parents, to a world-spanning battle with a gargantuan ancient evil that threatens to destroy the world,” Kirkman said. “It’s been a real thrill to work with Chris for these last few years, building this world and working toward this dramatic conclusion. I can’t believe we’re finally here! I can’t wait for people to see it!” 

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Take a Ditko-esque trip into the ‘Topsy Turvey’ with Jake Chang and Archie [Preview]

Check out an exclusive preview of two new stories coming in next week’s digest from Archie Comics.

Archie Comics has shared a preview with us of World of Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #133, which will feature two new stories in addition to a whole lot of classic material.

The first story features Archie falling into something called the “Topsy Turvey” — think The Upside-Down by way of Steve Ditko — and detective Jake Chang has to figure out how to get him out (with some help from Vegas, Archie’s dog). Tom DeFalco, Steven Butler and Jim Amash present this strange adventure.

Then, Dan Parent and Bob Smith bring together the Superteens and She-Fox to face the menace of Metra. This mullet-sporting villain can control time and space, but seems very hung up on the 1980s, much to our heroes’ dismay.

Colorist Glenn Whitmore and letterer Jack Morelli are on board for both stories, which arrive in next week’s digest. Check out the previews below, along with a complete classic Little Archie story featuring a new friend from outer space.

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Slugfest | ‘Antarctica’ will continue as an ongoing

Plus: a new ‘Alien’ series, Marv Wolfman returns to ‘Tomb of Dracula,’ ‘The Walking Dead’ tribute covers and more.

Slugfest is a roundup of cool announcements about projects coming to a shelf near you. Hit the links for more information.

Antarctica by Simon Birks and Willi Roberts, the Top Cow miniseries that debuted in July, will continue as an ongoing series after issue #5.

“If readers already love the first two issues of volume one, they’re going to love this new arc as we get the chance to delve deep into the previous events surrounding the Fracture and explore the Hannahs’ stories,” Birks said. “We’re thrilled to once again be working with the team at Top Cow. Not only have they been professional, but they’ve really taken the time to get to know us, and I’m delighted they love the book as much as we do. Antarctica takes no prisoners, and I’m excited to share our adventure with the readers. Willi and I have created something exceptional; an incredible experience full of unique twists and turns to keep everyone guessing right up until the end. As if one married The Fugitive with The Cabin in the Woods.”

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