Monthly Archives: February 2011

Kids Can Press – Late Winter/Spring 2011

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For a full list of all of the new releases from Kids Can Press, please visit their website.

WITCHES’ BREW: A SAM & FRIENDS MYSTERY (Book Four) by Mary Labatt and Jo Rioux

A spooky adventure for girls — book four of A Sam & Friends Mystery graphic novel series.

When three odd sisters with a collection of scraggly animals move into the house across the street, Sam and her friends grow suspicious. Then Sam thinks she’s been hexed — these new neighbors must be witches! The friends search the sisters’ house for a spell book to help Sam when the homeowners return unexpectedly. Will they boil the intruders in a witches’ potion? Young graphic novel readers will furiously turn pages to find a surprising solution to this mystery.
Grades: 2 to 5
Ages: 7 to 10
© 2011 BW • 6 1/2 x 8 1/2 • 96 pages
Hardcover $16.95
978-1-55453-472-2
Paperback $7.95
978-1-55453-473-9
AVAILABLE IN MARCH

SCAREDY SQUIRREL HAS A BIRTHDAY PARTY by Mélanie Watt

Scaredy Squirrel is planning his own birthday party for one – but despite his detailed plans, things get out of control when the party animals arrive.

He’s back! Scaredy Squirrel, the loveable worrywart, returns for another nutty adventure. Scaredy never plans big birthday parties. He’d rather celebrate alone quietly in the safety of his nut tree and avoid those pesky party animals (ants, clownfish, ponies and Bigfoot). When all his excessive plans are thrown up in the air like confetti, will Scaredy play dead and cancel? Or will he face the music?

Grades: Pre-K to 3
Ages: 4 to 8
© 2011 4-color • 8 x 8 • 32 pages
Hardcover Jacket $16.95
978-1-55453-468-5
AVAILABLE IN FEBRUARY!

SMALL SAUL by Ashley Spires

From the creator of Binky the Space Cat, a hilarious story about an unconventional little pirate.

Ahoy there! Will this sweet little pirate find his place aboard The Rusty Squid or will he be forced to walk the plank?

When Small Saul joins the crew of The Rusty Squid, it doesn’t take long for the other pirates to notice something is very different about this tiny fellow. He was born to sing sea shanties, bake pineapple upside down cakes and redecorate, not to hold a sword and plunder. Being rough and tough just isn’t in his nature.

Small Saul learned at Pirate College that pirates only care about three things: their ship, being tough and lots and lots of treasure. Can Small Saul show these ruffians that despite his gentle spirit, he’s worth his weight in gold? With treasure chests of laughs, Small Saul’s high-seas adventure is a light-hearted celebration of individuality, perseverance and being true to one’s self.

Grades: PreSchool to 2
Ages: 3 to 7
© 2011 4-color 8 x 10 32 pages
Hardcover Jacket $18.95
978-1-55453-503-3
AVAILABLE IN MARCH

YOU’RE FINALLY HERE! by Mélanie Watt (creator of the Scaredy Squirrel series)

A zany picture book that will resonate with anyone who’s ever been kept waiting.

The latest from the creator of the best-selling Scaredy Squirrel series stars a hilariously needy and impatient bunny. This is no ordinary picture-book character, and it will quickly become clear that this is no ordinary picture book – namely because you, the reader, are on the spot. You’re late!

At first, this little bunny is deliriously excited by your arrival, but now that you’re finally here, he wants to know: where were you? He’s been waiting long enough to learn an accordion solo, among other time-consuming pursuits.

After he’s shown you how it feels to be kept waiting and just when he’s finally satisfied that you’re a good steady page-turner who’s here to stay, something happens to turn the tables. The result is an off-beat ending worth waiting for!

Grades: PreSchool to 2
Ages: 3 to 7
© 2011 4-color 10 x 10 48 pages
Hardcover Jacket $18.95
978-1-55453-590-3
AVAILABLE IN FEBRUARY

Canada Reads wrap-up: Essex County wins the people’s choice. Final thoughts.

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Yesterday the Canada Reads jury decided on the best book in Canada over the last decade: The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis. Sadly, it wasn’t The Collected Essex County by Jeff Lemire, as it was the first of the top 5 voted off the list.

However, the folks at CBC decided to run an online poll that closed this morning, asking the public to vote for their favourite book — and the winner, by a majority vote of 53.15% — is The Collected Essex County by Jeff Lemire. For perspective, the runner up was The Birth House by Ami McKay with 16.27%. That’s impressive.

Now that Canada Reads is over, here are my thoughts (positive and negative) on the experience. Continue reading →

So, what did you think?

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Before we gear up to the next stages in our process for the awards, it’s been nice to take a short break and follow the reactions and responses to the nominations. Here are my thoughts….

Although it pains me to say this, not everyone can be nominated in a given year and no, not being nominated does not mean there aren’t any other outstanding creators that had work published last year. Far from it, actually. It was a bit disappointing to see who didn’t make the short lists on the administrative end, but we stand 100% behind the nominees selected.

Continue reading →

Diamond, iVerse Teaming Up to Offer Digital Content Via Comic Shops

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For Immediate Release:

Diamond, iVerse Teaming Up to Offer Digital Content Via Comic Shops

Imagine a future where readers and fans can visit their local comic shop to buy not just physical copies of new comics, but also digital editions that aren’t available anywhere else, and can be viewed in multiple platforms including iPhone, iPad, web, and others.

That future is coming soon as Diamond Comic Distributors (DCD) – the world’s largest distributor of English-language comic books, graphic novels and related pop-culture merchandise – joins forces with iVerse Media – the pioneer of digital comics and creators of the popular ComicsPLUS reader – to empower 2,700+ brick and mortar comic shops to sell digital content.

Plans call for day-and-date digital editions to sell exclusively at comic shops for 30 days for about $1.99, with “Digital Plus” editions – digital copies available with the purchase of a hard copy – expected to sell for $.99. Continue reading →

Jeff Lemire on Canada Reads

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ON CANADA READS…

Well, I was the first book voted off of the Canada Reads competition today, and I’ll admit that it stings a bit more than I thought it would. But, in the end I am really proud of the accomplishment of making it to the final 5. It’s a great sign for the future of graphic novels in this country, and their continued acceptance mainstream literary circles on a whole.

The truth is Essex County would never have been nominated if not for all the brilliant Canadian cartoonists who laid the ground work for such recognition over the last couple of decades. Dave Sim, Seth, Chester Brown, Julie Doucet and so many others not only inspired me, but a whole generation of cartoonist that will continue to push our beloved medium into the spotlight.

I’m proud to be part of such a great tradition of Canadian cartoonists, and continue to be inspired by the likes of Darwyn Cooke, Mariko and Jillian Tamaki, Kate Beaton and so many other great talents.

And, a big thanks to Sara Quin for her impassioned defense and promotion of not only EC but graphic novels in general. I know a lot of people have read EC, and other graphic novels, over the last couple of months who otherwise never would have.

And thanks to Chris, Brett and Leigh at Top Shelf for helping me run with the ball once I got it, you guys are the best!

J

Kathryn Immonen talks about Captain America & The First Thirteen

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Captain America and the First Thirteen features a cover by Greg Tocchini

Comic Book Resources has posted a short interview with writer Kathryn Immonen about her March shipping one-shot “Captain America and the First Thirteen“, which is being illustrated by Ramón K. Pérez.

Retailers take note: TODAY (Feb.7) is the Final Order Cut-off day for this March shipping one-shot.

What does Ramón Pérez bring to this book as an artist?

I was at TCAF a couple of years ago and Ramón, offhandedly (or so it seemed) mentioned that he’d like to work with me and I immediately mentally filed it in the “Please, Please Make That Happen” drawer. I was so happy that an opportunity came up so quickly. There’s such a classic feel to a lot of what he does and he inks with such strong blacks and directional light that there’s often the possibility for a real undercurrent of tension verging on horror, which is kind of perfect for this. And we both agree that this is all about the girls, so that’s pretty terrific.

CAPTAIN AMERICA AND THE FIRST THIRTEEN #1 (JAN110706)
Written by KATHRYN IMMONEN
Penciled by RAMÓN PÉREZ
Cover by GREG TOCCHINI
Rated T+ …$3.99
FOC – 2/7/11, On Sale 3/9/11

Essex County eliminated at Canada Reads

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It’s Day 1 of the Canada Reads competition and the first casualty is the only book that the comics community cares about — The Collected Essex County by Jeff Lemire.

Alas, I don’t have a soundcard on my PC here at the office so I can’t listen to the show itself until this evening, but responses from the public have indicated that the panelists (other than the book’s champion Sara Quinn) went after it because it was a graphic novel and not a prose novel, that rather than discussing the book by it’s strengths and/or weaknesses they re-enact the old Sesame Street game of “one of these things is not like the others” and ousted it for being different. Classy.

Comics Education In The Classroom Has Students’ Literacy Soaring Like Superman!

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For immediate release

GTA Students Improve More Than Just Art Skills With Unique Programming That Builds Confidence, Positive Work Habits and Media Literacy With The Help of Real Industry Professionals

Doodling in class used to be grounds for detention while SKL’z Cartoon Workshop Co-Founders Kurt Lehner and Shane Kirshenblatt were growing up in Toronto, during the 70′s, 80′s and 90′s respectively. Now professionals in the comics and animation industries and part of the Ontario Arts Council Artists in Education program, they are teaching their “SKL’z” to a new generation who are encouraged to doodle in class as much as they like!

Continue reading →

H.B. Fenn initiates bankruptcy proceedings

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Breaking news: H.B. Fenn and Company, Canada’s largest book distributor (based in Bolton, ON), filed notice on Thursday that they were initiating bankruptcy proceedings.
Fenn distributes a number of comics and graphic novel products to stores, educators and librarians across the country.

Read more:

The National Post

Quill & Quire

The Toronto Star

Uh oh… comic sales down 23% in 1/11 compared to 1/10

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Diamond released some sales stats today, and it isn’t pretty, ICV2 always provides some great analysis.

As feared, January 2011 saw a huge drop in new product sales ordered through Diamond Distribution. Compared to January 2010 units ordered are down a whopping 23% and dollars earned on new comics are down a comparable 22%. Even more surprising was the nearly 20% drop in graphic novel sales (19% units and 16.5% dollars)….

I had a bad feeling about January and February based on a look through the Previews offerings, so I’m not shocked at these results. There weren’t a lot of great new comics and graphic novels offered in January and February.

Continue reading →

Abominable Charles Christopher wins 2 Webcomic List Awards

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Announced today — in a webcomic — were the Webcomic List Awards.

Congratulations to Karl Kerschl for his 2 award wins for the Abominable Charles Christopher: Best Black and White Webcomic and Best Long Form Webcomic

UPDATE! Also, Romantically Apocalyptic by Canadian creator Vitaly Alexius was recognized as Best Non-Traditional Art in a Webcomic. This series utilizes Photoshop to create a unique style Vitaly refers to as “Dreaminism”. Congratulations!

In other webcomics news, Fleen: the webcomics blog about webcomics had some nice things to say about the Joe Shuster Award nominated webcomics:

The nominations for Outstanding Web Comics Creator(s) /Créateur(s) Exceptionnel de Bandes Dessinées Web are, as is usual with the Shusters, the best slate of names to appear attached to a major award, and include Attila Adorjany, Kate Beaton, Emily Carroll, Karl Kerschl, Drazen Kozjan, Simon Roy/Simon Roy and Ed Brisson, Salgood Sam, and Connor Willumsen. There’s an enormous variety of works there, with different formats, approaches to comics, lengths, story treatments, everything. Though we may all have our favorites, any of the nominees would be a worthy winner. The Joe Shuster Awards will be presented 18 June in conjunction with the 2011 Calgary Comics Expo.

We agree that this is a great list of webcomics and it’s pretty comprehensive. We’ve discussed breaking it up into smaller categories like the aforementioned Webcomics List Awards do, but at the end of the day, (1) we have a lot of awards as it is, and (2) the way things are going, we may see a day when ALL comics are webcomics and we won’t need to differentiate between print work and online comics. Print publishers have already been flirting with day and date print and digital downloads and this is something we’ll be keeping a close eye on in 2011.

Tory Woolcott’s Mirror Mind wins the SPACE Prize

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Mirror Mind: Growing up Dyslexic by Tory Woolcott has been selected for first prize (tied with Craigmore Book One by Pat N. Lewis) in the General Category of the SPACE Awards.

Tory’s Mirror Mind was also a finalist for the Gene Day Award last year.

Congratulations Tory!

About the SPACE Prize

From the books which were collected at SPACE 2010, we will be awarding the 2010 SPACE Prizes. The prizes will be presented in three categories-General, Minicomic / Short Story and Webcomic.The winners will be picked from three voting bodies in each category. Two rotating judges and the registered SPACE 2010 Exhibitors. This years judges are Alex Heberling, Ray Tomczak, Michael Carroll and Bob Corby.

The winner of the General SPACE prize will win a cash prize of $300.00 and a plaque. The winners of the Minicomic / Short Story and Webcomic categories will each win a $50.00 cash prize and a plaque. The plaque presentation will be held during SPACE 2011 on March 19, 2011 at the Ramada Plaza Hotel & Conference Center in Columbus.