Monday Runaround – Strolling Around The World

NewOrleansWatch: Reuters quotes Larry Marder at New Orleans Comic Con

“It used to be that the stories came first, and people read their monthly comics and were loyal to them,” he said. But over the years, characters like Superman, Batman and Spider-Man became brands that reached far beyond their book origins.

“It’s almost as if the characters were real and they had agents who exploited their likenesses across many platforms – like movies, games, TV shows and breakfast cereal,” he said.

Marder said that the launch of “Star Wars” by movie producer George Lucas set the stage for a merchandising industry that widened into toys, video games and action figures. The expansion of the industry made a host of characters into household names, and turned fictional heroes into megapersonalities.

“Superheroes are essentially power fantasies, and the superhero fan has become the backbone of our industry,” Marder said.

TaiwanWatch: Angouleme saw Taiwanese comic books featured in a special exhibition as part of the East Asian contingent.

The Taiwan exhibition at the 2012 Angouleme International Comics Festival in France was a major hit, attracting more than 50,000 visitors from Jan. 26 to 29.

It marked the first time that Taiwan was the main feature of the Asia theme exhibition at Europe’s largest comics festival.

The Government Information Office invited 20 Taiwanese comic artists to exhibit their works at the Taiwan pavilion, which drew more than 20,000 visitors on the festival’s penultimate day alone.

An opening cocktail reception was held at the Taiwan exhibition Jan. 27, attracting scores of French media and comics publishers. Michel Lu, Taiwan’s representative to France, and GIO Deputy Minister were among those attending the gathering.

The pavilion also held three forums during the festival, using animation to introduce Taiwan’s comics creations, as well as the island’s history, culture and local attractions.

Several international publishers expressed strong interest in obtaining the rights to comics by Taiwanese artists, including the works of Xiao-Zhuang from the 1980s, as well as Chiu Row-long’s comics about the 1930 aboriginal Wushe Incident, which inspired last year’s award-winning epic film “Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale” by director Wei Te-sheng.

NewOrleansWatch2: New Orleans Comic Con gave hope to some.

British artist Barry Kitson, another of today’s panelists, encouraged aspiring artists to seek out professional critiques and take them to heart. Kitson, whose work includes Iron Man and Wolverine comics, also said not to give up; after all, he failed a high school art class.

At least one fan took that to heart.

“It was a joy to hear that they didn’t all do very well in school, because I don’t really do that well either,” said Chris Flemming, 22, an aspiring artist from Lafayette. “I’ve actually failed art classes. My teacher hates my stuff. But I just sold a $2,200 commission. So I’m doing something right.”

IndiaWatch: The founder of Comic Con India interviewed by Indian news.

 

 

 

what we do is in the middle of the convention area we create a stage where every half an hour there will be a session or a workshop happening with some sort of a writer, artist or a special guest. So, there is something happening for someone who visits the convention every half an hour. The idea is that you come in the morning and you stay with us till the evening. It’s for free.

GermanyWatch: San Francisco hosts an exhibition looking at German comic books from February 9th.

The exhibition „Comics, Manga & Co. – Die neue deutsch Comic-Kultur“ features the works of two generations of artists, who have transformed the German graphic novel-scene in the last couple of years. Works of MAWIL, Isabel Kreitz, Arne Bellstorf and Martin Tom Diek and many more will be displayed.

This is Computo the Comic Link Conqueror speaking. I come for your women. But for now I merely collate comic-related bits and pieces online. One day I will rule. Until that day, read on.

They say I am a work in progress. The fools.

The Superman Super Site – January 29, 2012: Capstone Announces DC Entertainment License for Educational Markets

Capstone, a leading publisher of children’s books and digital products and services, has announced a licensing agreement with DC Entertainment to publish reinforced library hard covers and paper-over-board editions of the DC Comics comic book list. The license includes worldwide English and select Spanish editions for limited markets.

KickStarter-Funded Zombie Graphic Novel FUBAR Makes New York Times Best Seller List | The New York Observer

Yesterday on Reddit, a commenter under the name humansmartbomb introduced himself in the AMA (Ask Me Anything) subforum with the post: “My Kickstarter funded Indie Graphic Novel just made it on the New York Times best selling Graphic novel list.” Here’s the opening shot:

New Photo of Vin Diesel on the Riddick Set | Superhero Hype

Following the first photo of Vin Diesel on the set of Riddick comes this new shot posted by the actor on Sunday.

New The Dark Knight Rises Merchandise Promo Shots | Superhero Hype

We’ve received some new shots of Batman for The Dark Knight Rises in new licensing and merchandise shots, thanks to ’RealIrOnMaN’ and ‘batmanofbaylor’. You can check them out below!