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Orca Book Publishers' Graphic Adventure Line
Much like other publishers focused on the kids' and teen educational market, Canadian house Orca Book Publishing added a line of graphic novels to its list in hopes attracting teen readers as well as their teachers and librarians. In 2007 Orca launched the Graphic Guide Adventure Series, a line of fictional adventure graphic novels aimed at middle graders, focusing on the environment, skateboarding, soccer and, now, media literacy.
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Comics Briefly
Marvel Fest and Motion Comic Live; Archie Exhibit Opening at MoCCA; Marvel Comic Unveils New Digital Comics Reader 3.0; Digital Comics Subscription Service Comes To India; Stephen King Plans New Marvel Dark Tower Comic; Seth Video Interview; Launch Party for Best American Comics 2009; This Week @ The Beat; and This Week @ Good Comics For Kids
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Panel Mania: Like A Dog
Like a Dog by Zak Sally collects the first two issues of his series Recidivist, along with other of if his stories from the last 15 years. In this preview there are excerpts from three stories: "Two Idiot Brothers," "At the Scaffold," and "The Man Who Killed Wally Wood." Like a Dog will be released by Fantagraphics in the last week of October.
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Comics Reviews: 10/19/2009
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Upbeat Diamond Summit Draws New Retailers
Although it's been a tumultuous month in the comics industry, retailers and publishers got down to business at the Diamond Retailer Summit, held October 11—12 in Baltimore. Organized and run by Diamond Distribution, the exclusive distributor for the top four comics and graphic novel publishers, the yearly meeting drew nearly 600 retailers from around North America.
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Retailers and Fans Converge on Baltimore
Despite intense industry speculation of changes at Marvel and DC after recent ownership and management shake-ups, the doubleheader of the Baltimore Comic-con and the Diamond Retailer Summit managed to stick to an agenda of celebrating comics and finding ways to sell more of them
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Comics Scholarship—Mississippi Style
If the last century saw the state of Mississippi as the cradle of the blues, this century may see the region’s University Press of Mississippi set the course for modern comics scholarship.
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October Comics Bestsellers
Jeff Kinney’s Wimpy Kid: Last Straw is king; Robert Kirkman’s Walking Dead: What We Become just won’t die; and Bill Willingham follows with Fables: The Dark Ages. Bleach vol 28 and Naruto vol. 45 are next while Patricia Briggs's Mercy Thompson: Homecoming, Kazu Kibuishi’s Amulet Book 2 and Brian Azzarello’s Filthy Rich round out the list.
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Comics Briefly
MoCCA Art Fest Moved to Spring; New Brooklyn Comics and Graphics Fest ; Boom Studios Signs With Haven; Viz Accepting Submissions; Powers Returns with New Series; Marvel.Com Exclusive Animation Extras; Archie Comics Creator at Big Apple Comic Con; Bendis Interview on Fresh Ink; Media Meltdown Free Digital Comic from Orca; This Week @ The Beat; and This Week @ Good Comics For Kids
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Panel Mania: Luke Cage Noir
Luke Cage Noir, set in Prohibition-era Harlem, follows Luke Cage as he attempts to put his life back together after 10 years in Riker's Island, even while he is hindered by powerful forces. The pages in this excerpt are from Luke Cage Noir Issue #3, written by Mike Benson and Adam Glass, with art by Shawn Martinbrough; the cover is by Tim Bradstreet. The hardcover graphic novel is due out from Marvel in March 2010, and the fourth issue will be released on November 11.
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Kodansha Sets Up Shop To Publish Manga in U.S.
Kodansha, the largest publisher in Japan and an important licensor of manga to U.S. publishers, is setting up an office in New York City and plans to begin publishing and selling manga direct to the U.S. market beginning in October.
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Golden Apple Comics Turns 30
There have been substantial changes at Golden Apple Comics, the legendary Hollywood comics store. Under the direction of Ryan Liebowitz, son of the store’s well-known founder, the flagship store has been moved and the 25-year old satellite store in Northridge has been sold.
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Politics, Art and Activism in Oaxaca
Peter Kuper left the United States in 2006 for Oazaca, Mexico in search of peace and quiet. Instead, the award-winning cartoonist found a strike, a government crackdown and a political storm. His two-year residence produced Diario de Oaxaca, A Sketchbook of Two Years in Mexico.
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Comics Briefly -- 10/6/09
Diamond to Distribute Tokyopop in U.K.: Harvey Awards Tickets On Sale; ALA Great Graphic Novels for Teens List Nominations; Viper Talent Contest Winner; Wizard Exec Starts GeekChicDaily Site; The Yes Men and Migdal Comic Book Release Party; This Week @ The Beat; and This Week @ Good Comics For Kids
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Comics Reviews: 10/5/2009
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Digital Comics: The Inevitable Frontier
Sometimes it's hard to recognize change when you're living in the midst of it. "The things they can do now!" my mom often exclaims when I show her my latest digital gadget. "You don't know how amazing it is because you're used to it." Maybe that's why when it comes to digital comics, my attitude is one of pragmatism and not Oh my god, it's going to change everything!
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Panel Mania: Dolltopia
Dolls escape their factory built conformity in Dolltopia by Abby Denson. Kitty, a ballerina doll forced into domestic life with a jock doll, and Jim, an army doll who doesn't fit in with the the military lifestyle, flee to Dolltopia, a haven where dolls can be who thay want. Dolltopia is published by Green Candy Press.
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Kodansha Sets Up to Publish Manga in U.S.
After years of speculation about its plans, Kodansha, the largest publisher in Japan and a prolific manga licensor to U.S. publishers, is establishing an office in New York City to publish and sell manga directly in the U.S. market beginning this month. The new line of manga will be called Kodansha Comics, which will be published under Kodansha USA Publishing and distributed by Random House.
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Attendance Up at New York Anime Fest Despite Costs
Although the anime and manga markets have had a mixed year in 2009, with consolidation and downsizing, it was belied by the enthusiastic fan participation at this years New York Anime Festival, held Sept. 25-27. With an attendance of 21,388 people, a 16% increase over last year, NYAF 2009 was precisely that, an anime festival with less of a manga focus than in previous years.
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Small Press Expo Feels the Love
Indie cartoonists, web comickers and the fans who love them once again mingled in a weekend of camaraderie and appreciation at this weekend's Small Press Expo, held in North Bethesda, MD. This year's edition lived up to its well-deserved reputation as one of the year's mellowest and enjoyable comics fests, and a strong slate of recent comics kept sales at high levels.