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2013 Eisner Award Nominations Announced

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eisners_logo_greyApril 16, 2013 For Immediate Release.

Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards 2013 Nominations Announced

Comic-Con International (Comic-Con) is proud to announce the nominations for the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards 2013. The nominees, chosen by a blue-ribbon panel of judges, reflect the wide range of material being published in comics and graphic novel form today, from crime noire to autobiographical works to cartoon adventures.

Click here for a complete list of the nominees.

Three titles lead the 2013 list with 5 nominations each. Chris Ware’s critically acclaimed Building Stories (published by Pantheon) has nods for Best Graphic Album–New, Best Writer/artist, Best Coloring, Best Lettering, and Best Publication Design. Also garnering 5 nominations are Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips’s Fatale (published by Image) and Matt Fraction and David Aja’s Hawkeye (published by Marvel). Both are nominated for Best Continuing Series, Best New Series, Best Writer, Best Penciller/Inker, and Best Cover Artist. (Fatale also shares the coloring nomination for Dave Stewart.)

Close behind with 4 nominations are BOOM!/kaboom’s Adventure Time (Best New Series, Best Publication for Kids, Best Publication for Kids, and Best Humor Publication), Monkeybrain’s online comic Bandette by Paul Tobin and Colleen Coover (Best New Series, Best Penciller/Inker, Best Coloring, Best Digital Comic), and Carol Tyler’s memoir You’ll Never Know, Book 3: A Soldier’s Heart (Best Graphic Album–New, Best Reality-Based Work, Best Writer/artist, Best Lettering; published by Fantagraphics). Titles with 3 nominations are Charles Burns’s The Hive (Best Graphic Album–New, Best Writer/artist, Best Coloring; published by Pantheon) and Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples’s Saga (Best Continuing Series, Best New Series, Best Writer). Thirteen titles have 2 nominations, and the remaining nominations are spread among dozens of books and comics in 29 categories.

Fantagraphics has the most nominations for a publisher, with 24. In addition to the Tyler book, the company has multiple nominees in the writer/artist, archival, international, and design categories. Michael Kupperman’s Tales Designed to Thrizzle has 2 nominations (Best Short Story, Best Single Issue), as does Lilli Carré’s Heads or Tales (Best Single Issue, Best Graphic Album–Reprint). The publisher emerging with the second-most nominations this year with 17 (plus 1 shared) is Image, led by Fatale and Saga, along with 2 nominations each for The Manhattan Projects (Best Continuing Series, Best Writer for Jonathan Hickman), Prophet (Best Continuing Series, Best Writer for Brandon Graham), and Graham’s Multiple Warheads (Best Cover Artist, Best Coloring).

IDW ranks third with 8 nominations (plus 1 shared), including 2 each in the archival categories. Close behind is Pantheon, with 5 nominations for Building Stories and 3 for The Hive. The 5 nods for Hawkeye account for the majority of Marvel’s 7 (plus 1 shared) nominations. Drawn & Quarterly comes in fifth, with 5 nominations, including 2 for Brecht Evens’s The Making of.

Other publishers with multiple nominations include BOOM!, Monkeybrain, and Nobrow (4); Abrams ComicArts, Self Made Hero, Toon Books/Candlewick, Top Shelf, and the University Press of Mississippi (3); DC Comics with 2 nominations and 1 shared; and nine publishers with 2 nominations: Andrews McMeel, Archaia, Disney, First Second, FSG, Koyama, TwoMorrows, and Yen Press. Another 21 publishers have 1 nomination each.

Individual creators with the most nominations are Brandon Graham and Chris Ware with 5; David Aja, Colleen Coover, Sean Phillips, and Carol Tyler with 4; and Ed Brubaker, Charles Burns, Matt Fraction, Brian K. Vaughan, and the Adventure Time team (RyanNorth, Selli Paroline, and Braden Lamb) with 3. Nineteen creators can boast of 2 nominations.

Named for acclaimed comics creator the Will Eisner, the awards are celebrating their 25th year of highlighting the best publications and creators in comics and graphic novels. The 2013 Eisner Awards judging panel consists of reviewer Michael Cavna (“Comic Riffs,” Washington Post), academic/author Charles Hatfield (Cal State Northridge), retailer Adam Healy (Cosmic Monkey, Portland, OR), author/educator Katie Monnin (Teaching Graphic Novels), cartoonist/critic Frank Santoro (Storeyville; TCJ), and Comic-Con International registrar John Smith.

This year’s judges restored three categories that had been dropped by last year’s judges: Best New Series, Best Adaptation from Another Medium, and Best Painter/Multimedia Artist. However, they dropped the Best Limited Series category.

Voting for the awards is held online, and the ballot will be available soon at http://www.eisnervote.com. All professionals in the comic book industry are eligible to vote. The results of the voting will be announced in a gala awards ceremony on the evening of Friday, July 19 at Comic-Con International.

The voting in one Eisner Awards category, the Hall of Fame, is already completed. The judges chose the nominees earlier this year, and voting was conducted online.

The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards are presented under the auspices of Comic-Con International, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to creating awareness of and appreciation for comics and related popular artforms, primarily through the presentation of conventions and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contributions of comics to art and culture. Jackie Estrada has been administrator of the Awards since 1990. She can be reached at jackie@comic-con.org.

The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards Celebrate 25 years!

The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, considered the “Oscars” of comics, turn 25 in 2013. The most prestigious of the industry’s awards, the Eisners are given out at a gala ceremony on the Friday night of Comic-Con International: San Diego.

The Awards encompass more than two-dozen categories covering both works and creators. Nominees are chosen by a blue-ribbon committee of judges, and the winners are chosen by professionals in the comics industry. Started in 1988, the awards are named for Will Eisner, the legendary creator of “The Spirit” and giant of the graphic novel. The Eisner Awards administrator is Jackie Estrada.

LES FINALISTES DES 26e PRIX BÉDÉIS CAUSA / Nominees for the 26th Annual Prix Bédéis Causa

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À quelques semaine du début du 26e Festival de la bande dessinée francophone de Québec (FBDFQ), qui se déroule du 10 au 14 avril prochain, les organisateurs ont dévoilé ce lundi les finalistes de ses prix Bédéis Causa 2013. Cherchant à récompenser ce qui se fait de mieux en matière de bande dessinée, particulièrement celle créée par les auteurs d’ici, ces prix sont remis depuis les débuts de l’événement, en 1988.

La cérémonie de remise de prix, qui est l’occasion de rassembler de nombreux acteurs du 9e art québécois et de souligner la vitalité actuelle du milieu, se déroulera cette année à l’Observatoire de la Capitale, le vendredi 12 avril, à 17 h.

LES FINALISTES

Prix Réal-Fillion
Auteur québécois, scénariste ou dessinateur, s’étant le plus illustré avec son premier album professionnel
- Sophie Bédard, pour Glorieux printemps t. 1 (Pow Pow)
– Isabelle Arsenault et Fanny Britt, pour Jane, le renard et moi (La Pastèque)
– India Desjardins, pour La célibataire (Michel Lafon)

Grand prix de la ville de Québec
Meilleur album de langue française publié au Québec
- Jane, le renard et moi (La Pastèque), d’Isabelle Arsenault et Fanny Britt
– La mauvaise fille (Glénat Québec), de PhlppGrrd
– French Kiss 1986 (Glénat Québec), de Michel Falardeau
– Glorieux printemps t. 1 (Pow Pow), de Sophie Bédard
– Radisson t. 4 (Glénat Québec), de Jean-Sébastien Bérubé

Prix Albéric-Bourgeois
Meilleur album de langue française publié à l’étranger par un auteur québécois, dessinateur ou scénariste.
- Van Helsing contre Jack l’Éventreur t. 1 (Soleil), de Jacques Lamontagne
– Noé t. 2 (Lombard), de Niko Henrichon
– White Crows t. 2 (Soleil), de Djief

Prix Maurice-Petitdidier
Coup de coeur du jury pour album francophone publié à l’étranger
- La page blanche (Delcourt), de Pénélope Bagieu et Boulet
– Vingt-trois prostituées (Cornelius), de Chester Brown
– La grande odalisque (Dupuis), de Bastien Vivès, Ruppert et Mulot
– L’enfance d’Alan (l’Association), d’Emmanuel Guibère
– David, les femme et la mort (Lombard), de Judith Vanistendae

Lors de la cérémonie, l’organisation du FBDFQ remettra également le Prix Albert-Chartier, décerné en hommage à un individu ou organisme ayant marqué le monde de la bande dessinée francophone au Québec.

Rappelons que la présente édition des Bédéis Causa porte sur les albums publiés entre le 1er janvier et le 31 décembre 2012. Comme à l’habitude, la sélection des finalistes a été effectuée par un jury formé de libraires et de chroniqueurs spécialisés.

Le Festival de la bande dessinée francophone de Québec tient à souligner l’appui des partenaires qui rendent possible cette 26e présentation : la Ville de Québec, le gouvernement du Canada par l’entremise du Fonds du livre du Canada, le Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, le Consulat général de France à Québec, la Délégation Wallonie-Bruxelles au Québec, l’Institut canadien de Québec, le Salon international du livre de Québec, le Musée de la Civilisation de Québec, le Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, Frima Studio, l’Hôtel Château Laurier, le Journal de Québec, CKRL-FM, le Faubourg St-Jean-Baptiste, Antitube, Le Cercle, l’Établi, Morgan Bridge, la Librairie Phylactère, Jean Brouillard Communication, ainsi que les éditeurs, distributeurs et autres lieux participants.

2012 Joe Shuster Awards – Credits / Les Prix Joe Shuster 2012 – Crédits

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SECTION A

Outstanding Comic Book Cover Artist / Dessinateur de couverture de bande dessinée exceptionnel
Outstanding Comic Book Writer / Scénariste de bande dessinée exceptionnel
Outstanding Comic Book Artist / Dessinateur de bande dessinée exceptionnel
Outstanding Comic Book Cartoonist / Auteur de bande dessinée exceptionnel

Nominating Committee / Comité des Candidatures :
Laurent Boutin (Montreal, QC)
Eric Bouchard (Montreal, QC)
Jeff Brown (Toronto, ON)
Lloyd Chesney (Victoria, BC)
Amy Chop (Guelph, ON)
Jamie Coville (Kingston, ON)
Gareth Gaudin (Victoria, BC)
Tyler Jirik (Guelph, ON)
Mike Jozik (Saskatoon, SK)
David Kelly (Montreal, QC)
Jonathan Kuehlein (Toronto, ON)
Andrew Uys (Toronto, ON
Leonard Wong (Vancouver, BC)
Sarrah Young (Toronto, ON)

- Outstanding Web Comics Creator / Créateur de bande dessinée web exceptionnel

Nominating Committee / Comité des Candidatures :
Tyrone Biljan
Kevin Boyd
Allison Covey
Robert Haines
Andrew Walsh

Art Jury (Artist / Cover Artist / Webcomics)

- Cliff Caporale (Montreal, QC)
– Amy Chop (Guelph, ON)
– Calum Johnston (Halifax, NS)
– Hope Nicholson (Toronto, ON)
– Ethan Peacock (Vancouver, BC)

Story Jury (Cartoonist / Writer)

- Cliff Caporale (Montreal, QC)
– Robin Fisher (Montreal, QC)
– Robin McConnell (Vancouver, BC)
– Rachel Richey (Ottawa, ON)
– Salgood Sam (Montreal, QC)

Coordiinator/Coordinateur - Kevin Boyd, Executive Director

SECTION B

The Gene Day Award for Self-Publishers / Le Prix Gene Day de l’auto-édition

Nominating Committee / Comité des Candidatures::
Robert Haines, with input from Kevin Boyd

Day Jury:
– Calum Johnston
– Jesse Jacobs
– Diana Schutz

The Harry Kremer Award for Outstanding Comic Book Retailer / Le Prix Harry Kremer du libraire de bandes dessinées exceptionnel

Nominating Committee / Comité des Candidatures :
Robert Haines

Kremer Jury:
Tyrone Biljan
Kevin Boyd
Allison Covey
Peter DeCourcy
Andrew Walsh

Coordinator/Coordinateur - Robert Haines, Associate Director

SECTION C

The Dragon Award – Comics for Kids / Le Prix Dragon – Bande dessinée jeunesse

Nominating Committee / Comité des Candidatures :
– Jennifer Stewart (BEd)
– Beth Alexander (BEd – elementary)
– Diana Pai (BEd)

Comics for Kids Jury:
– Douglas Davey (Halton Hills librarian)
– Graham Purcell (BEd – elementary)
– Renee Jackson (BEd, MFA)
– Kate McEvenue (BEd)
– Scott Robins (Toronto librarian)

Coordinator/Coordinateur – Jennifer Haines

ADDITIONAL THANKS TO:

Webcomics Coordinator – Andrew Walsh

Publisher Liason - Allison Covey

Graphics and Audio Visual Presentation – Tyrone Biljan

Awards Ceremony Hosts: Jason Rockman, Catherine Smith-Desbiens

Host Convention: Montreal Comic Con – contacts: Oscar Yazedjian, Elizabeth Jutras, Cliff Caporale

Awards manufactured by ACE Awards, Toronto, ON

Hall of Fame Committee – Joe Kilmartin, Robert Pincombe

The Canadian Comic Book Creator Awards Association would also like to thank the following publishers for their assistance in providing book for our juries to review:
Éditions Alto
Éditions Pow Pow
Éditions Soleil
IDW
Image Comics
Kids Can Press
La Pasteque
Les 400 Coups
Oni Press
Presses Aventure
Puffin Books
Katie and Steven Shanahan.

Additional books published by Archaia Press, Éditions Delcourt, Drawn & Quarterly, DC Comics, some additional IDW  and Marvel Comics were provided by:
The Comic Book Lounge + Gallery, (Toronto, ON)

Finally, the CCBCAA would like to thank and acknowledge the financial contributions of our private donours, and the support of the Canadian comics community across our great nation.

THE CCBCAA 2011-2012:
Kevin Boyd, Director
Robert Haines, Associate Director
Tyrone Biljan
Allison Covey
Peter DeCourcy
Andrew Walsh

The 2012 Joe Shuster Award winners

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Montreal, QC – In a ceremony presided by JASON ROCKMAN and CATHERINE SMITH-DESBIENS at the MONTREAL COMIC-CON, the 8th Annual Joe Shuster Awards for Canadian Comic Book Creators and Retailers were presented to an enthusiastic crowd of nominees, friends and fans of the medium. Continue reading →

Happenings: 1st ever Festival BD de Montreal this weekend – June 1-3, 2012

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At the first Festival BD de Montreal at L’Espace La Fontaine, come talk comics with a wide variety of authors, community members and our ambassador and a fan of comics, Stéphane Archambault!

The FBDM is a place to meet and exchange ideas with professional cartoonists. It aims to discover the diversity of the 9th art with all Montrealers and all Quebecers: children, families and fans of comics in general.

Many free activities make up the program: theatrical improvisations on BD, BD readings, book signings, panel discussions, and comic animations for the whole family! The various proposed activities and the educational component of FBDM make a true inter-generational event. Many exhibitors reflecting all types of comics will be present and will offer readings as varied and exciting.

Quebecois Comics is currently experiencing a boom thanks to designers like Michel Rabagliati, Guy Delisle, Delaf and Dubuc. Montreal, cultural capital the province, has much to offer it’s visitors.

In a festive atmosphere, fueled by the imminent arrival of summer, the organizer look forward to seeing you at L’Espace La Fontaine this coming weekend!

Guests Include:

  • A., Alex (Agent Jean)
  • Al + Flag
  • Angers, Philippe
  • Antoine, Frédéric (El Spectro, Biodôme)
  • Archambault, Danièle
  • Banville, Simon (Asymptote)
  • Baril, Joseph
  • Beaulieu, Jimmy (Comédie sentimentale pornographique)
  • Bédard, Sophie
  • Bernier, Mathieu (Zidara9)
  • Bérubé, Jean-Sébastien (Radisson)
  • Bottenberg, Rupert
  • Bouchard, Pierre
  • Boudreau, Iris (Ostie d’Chat)
  • Boum (Boumeries)
  • Bourgoin, Bruno (Front Froid)
  • Boutin-Gagné, Patrick (Brögunn)
  • Buisson, Antonin
  • Cantin, Samuel
  • Carrier, Dominique
  • Cathon
  • Champoux, Yanick (Académie des Chasseurs de Primes)
  • Claveau, Marie-Pier (Le Front)
  • Colpron, Pascal
  • Cyr, Maxim (Les dragouilles)
  • Delaf (Les Nombrils)
  • Denomée, Ariane
  • Demers, Tristan (Gargouille)
  • Desharnais, Francis (Burquette)
  • Dijef (Crépuscule des Dieux)
  • Dion, Jeik (La Grande Illusion)
  • Dubuc, Maryse (Les Nombrils)
  • Duguay, Ghyslain (Lionel et Nooga)
  • Eid, Jean-Paul (Jérôme Bigras)
  • Étien, David (Les Quatre de Baker street)
  • Falardeau, Michel (Luck)
  • Forsythe, Mathew (Jinchalo)
  • Fortin, Ian
  • Fournier, Pierre (Red Ketchup)
  • Gagnon, André
  • Giard, Vincent
  • Girard, Philippe (Tuer Vélasquez)
  • Godbout, Réal (Red Ketchup)
  • Godbout, Benoît (Académie des chasseurs de Primes)
  • Goldstyn, Jacques (Les Débrouillards)
  • Gottot, Karine (Les dragouilles)
  • Goulet, Albert-André (Lionel et Nooga)
  • Grant, Michel (Ti-Guy)
  • Groovie, Annie (Léon)
  • Hellman, Michel (Mile-End)
  • Hicham, Absa
  • Jalette, Jocelyn
  • Jobin, Olivier (Le Front)
  • Johnson, Kaylynne
  • Jourdain, Fred (Dragon Bleu)
  • Lacombe, Michel (Académie des chasseurs de primes)
  • Lamarre, Adeline
  • Landry, Mario
  • Lapierre, François (Chroniques sauvages)
  • Laurent, Dominique
  • Leriche-Gionet, Samantha
  • Levasseur, Marcel
  • Loisel, Régis (Magasin général)
  • Marcotte, Jean-Philippe
  • Mandel, Lisa (Nini Patalo)
  • Minikim (Alta Donna)
  • Mongrain, Yan (Front Froid)
  • Ollman, Joe (Mid Life)
  • Pageau, Marc
  • Paradis, Rémi (Zidara9)
  • Parent, Raymond (BiBop)
  • Paré-Sorel, Julien (Le Front)
  • Patenaude-Monette, Martin
  • Rabagliati, Michel (Paul)
  • Rodier, Yves (El Spectro)
  • Rodier, Denis (L’ordre des dragons)
  • Roy, Myriam (Front Froid)
  • Santos, Carlos
  • Sherwin, Tija (You are a cat)
  • Simard, Alexandre
  • Sirois, Shawn (Zoockey)
  • Sirois, Bob (Zoockey)
  • Siris (Vogue la Valise)
  • Tessier, Marc
  • Tija, Sherwin (You are a cat)
  • Trahan, Sébastien
  • Tripp, Jean-Louis (Magasin général)
  • Turgeon, David (La Muse récursive)
  • Vachon, Jean-François (Zoockey)
  • Vaillancourt, Michel (Lionel et Nooga)
  • Vaillancourt, Sylvie
  • Vézina, Benoît (Front Froid)
  • Voro (Été 63)
  • Wany, Stanley
  • Zviane (Ostie d’Chat)

Happenings: New Vancouver Comic Arts Festival seeks to celebrate independent cartoonists

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Vancouver Festival seeks to celebrate independent cartoonists

May 21, 2012 Vancouver, B.C. — Independent cartoonists and artists from around North America will be gathering in Yaletown this week as local organizers host the inaugural Vancouver Comic Arts Festival (VanCAF), a first-of-its kind gathering that hopes to become one of the major creative events on the city’s calendar.

Modeled after similar events in Toronto and Portland, the weekend festival will bring together over 90 cartoonists, illustrators, comic book artists, and creative professionals for two days of exhibitions, events, and networking. Free to attend and open to the public, VanCAF will offer Vancouver fans a chance to meet numerous stars of the indie art scene including famed web cartoonist Jeph Jacques (Questionable Content), B.C.-based pop artist Camilla d’Errico (Tanpopo), and noted comic illustrator Nina Matsumoto (The Simpsons Comic),  as well as dozens of local underground, independent, and mainstream illustrators eager to show off their work.

“Too often shows of this nature tend to put more focus on TV and film, leaving the artists as merely a side-show.  This is a fantastic opportunity for Vancouverites of all ages to connect with the myriad artistic talents in our own backyard,” says VanCAF organizer Shannon Campbell.

“Our event will highlight some the best work being done by many cartoonists and illustrators—mostly from Vancouver, but also hailing from as far as Los Angeles, Toronto, and New York City.”

VanCAF will run from Saturday, May 26 (10 am to 5 pm) to Sunday, May 27 (10 am to 6 pm), at the Roundhouse Community Centre in Yaletown, Vancouver.

Further inquiries can be directed to Shannon Campbell, Event Coordinator, at shannon@vancaf.com

Full list of 2012 Nominees / La liste complète des nominés 2012

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Artist / Dessinateur

  • Chris Bachalo Age of X: Alpha 1, Avengers 13, 15, Wolverine and the X-Men 1-3, X-Men 7-10 (Marvel Comics)
  • Marc Delafontaine Les Nombrils T.5: Un Couple D’enfer (Delcourt)
  • Stuart Immonen Fear Itself 1-7, “Queen, King, Off-Suit“/X-Men: To Serve and Protect 4 (Marvel Comics), “Say You’re Dead“/Outlaw Territory Vol.2 (Image)
  • Fred Jourdain Le Dragon Bleu / The Blue Dragon (Éditions Alto/Ex Machina/House of Anansi Press)
  • Jeff Lemire  Jonah Hex 69 (DC Comics), “A Coffin for Mrs. Bishell”/ Outlaw Territory Vol. 2 (Image)
  • Yanick Paquette, Nathan FairbairnSwamp Thing 1-3, Batman Incorporated 3, 5 (with Michel Lacombe) (DC Comics)
  • Cameron Stewart “Chapter 1: The School of Night“/Batman Incorporated: Leviathan Strikes! 1 (DC Comics), Suicide Girls 1-4 (IDW)

Cartoonist / Créateur

  • Chester Brown Paying For It: A Comic Strip Memoir About Being A John (D+Q)
  • Darwyn Cooke  ”The Seventh“/Parker: The Martini Edition, “Betty Saves the Day“/Rocketeer Adventures 2 (IDW)
  • Guy Delisle  Chroniques de Jerusalem (Delcourt)
  • Ray Fawkes  One Soul, Possessions Book Two (Oni Press)
  • Francois Lapierre Chroniques Sauvages (Glenat Quebec)
  • Jeff Lemire  Sweet Tooth 17-25 (DC/Vertigo)
  • Ramon Perez Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand (Archaia Press)
  • Michel Rabagliati Paul au Parc (La Pasteque)

Cover Artist / Dessinateur Couvertures

  • Kalman Andrasofszky  X-23 5-19, X-Men: Earth’s Mutant Heroes 1 (Marvel Comics), Stan Lee’s Soldier Zero 6-10 (Boom!)
  • Kaare Andrews  Astonishing X-Men: Xenogenesis 5, Ultimate Comics Hawkeye 1-4, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man 156, 1-5,  Ultimate Comics X-Men 1-5, Ultimate Comics Ultimates 1-5 (Marvel Comics)
  • Fred Jourdain  Le Dragon Bleu / The Blue Dragon (Éditions Alto/Ex Machina/House of Anansi Press)
  • Francois Lapierre Chroniques Sauvages (Glenat Quebec)
  • Jeff Lemire  Jonah Hex 69 (DC Comics), Sweet Tooth 18-28 (DC/Vertigo)
  • Francis Manapul  The Flash Vol.4 9-12, The Flash Vol. 5 1-4, Flashpoint: Grodd of War 1, Flashpoint: Kid Flash Lost 1-3, Green Lantern 4, Green Lantern Corps 62, Superboy 5, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents 5 (DC Comics) 7 Warriors (Boom!)
  • Yanick Paquette Batman Incorporated 3-5, Knight and Squire 1-6, Swamp Thing 1-4  (DC Comics)

Webcomics Creator / Créateur de Bandes Dessinées Web

  • Jayd Ait-Kaci  The Fox Sister, Sfeer Theory
  • Emily Carroll  Comics 2011 (Anu-Anulan and Yir’s Daughter, Dream Journal Mar 30th, Margot’s Room, The Prince and The Sea)
  • Tony Cliff  Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant
  • Kate Craig Heart of Ice
  • Iris and Zviane  L’ostie d’chat – Leblog de Jasmin et Jean-Seb
  • Drazen Kozjan The Happy Undertaker
  • Ty Templeton Bun Toons

Writer / Écrivain

  • Anthony Del Col, Connor McCreery  Kill Shakespeare 9-12 (IDW)
  • Francis Desharnais Motel Galactic (Editions Pow Pow)
  • Maryse Dubuc, Marc Delafontaine Les Nombrils T.5: Un Couple D’enfer (Dupuis)
  • Kathryn Immonen Avengers: Origins – Thor 1, Captain America and the First Thirteen 1, Wolverine and Jubilee 1-4, “Queen, King, Off-Suit“/X-Men: To Serve and Protect 4 (Marvel Comics), “Say You’re Dead“/Outlaw Territory Vol.2 (Image)
  • Jeff Lemire Animal Man 1-4, Flashpoint: Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown 1-3, Frankenstein Agent of S.H.A.D.E. 1-4, Giant Size Atom 1, Superboy 3-11 (DC Comics), Sweet Tooth 26-28 (DC/Vertigo), “-“/Brilliant! Tragic! The Comic Book 1 (Art Brut)
  • Tristan Roulot  Le Testament de Capitaine Crown T.1: Cinq Enfants du Putain, Goblins T.5: La Fleur au Canon, Psykoparis T.1 (Soleil)
  • Kurtis J. Wiebe Green Wake 1-8, The Intrepids 1-6 (Image), “Logan‘s Lost Lesson“/Marvel Holiday Special 2011 (Marvel Comics)
  • Jim Zubkavich Skull Kickers 5, 7-11 (Image

The Dragon Award (Comics for Kids) / Prix Dragon (Bandes Dessinées pour Enfants)

  • Ariane et Nicolas Tome 6: Les Toiles Mysterieuses  Paul Roux (Les 400 Coups)
  • Big City Otto Vol.1 Bill Slavin (Kids Can Press)
  • Hyena in Petticoats: The Story of Suffragette Nellie McClung  Willow Dawson (Puffin Books)
  • L’Agent Jean Tome 1: Le Cerveau de l’Apocalypse Alex A. (Presses Aventure)
  • Lone Hawk: The Story of Air Ace Billy Bishop John Lang (Puffin Books)
  • Luz Sees the Light  Claudia Davila (Kids Can Press)
  • Silly Kingdom: Alengrimrickshaw’s 211th Birthday Katie and Steven Shanahan (Self-Published)
  • Three Thieves Book 2: The Sign of the Black Rock Scott Chantler (Kids Can Press)

Gene Day Award (Self-Publishers) / Prix Gene Day (Auto-éditeurs)

  • Silly Kingdom: Alengrimrickshaw’s 211th Birthday Katie and Steven Shanahan
  • Ghost Rabbit by Dakota McFadzean
  • Drupe Jeremy Bourgeois Raymonde
  • 21 Journeys Cloudscape Comics Collective,
  • Fifteen Months Colleen MacIsaac

Harry Kremer Award (Retailers) / Prix Harry Kremer (Détaillants)

  • Amazing Stories (Saskatoon, SK)
  • Another Dimension (Calgary, AB)
  • The Comic Hunter (Moncton, NB)
  • Comic Readers (Regina, SK)
  • Golden Age Collectables (Vancouver, BC)
  • Heroes (London, ON)
  • L’Imaginaire (Quebec City, QC)
  • Silver Snail (Toronto, ON)
  • Studio 9 Comic Shop (Montreal, QC)
  • Warp 1 Comics and Games (Edmonton, AB)

UPDATED 09/04/2012:

Finalists /Finalistes:

  • Another Dimension (Calgary, AB)
  • The Comic Hunter (Moncton, NB)
  • Comic Readers (Regina, SK)
  • L’Imaginaire (Quebec City, QC)
  • Silver Snail (Toronto, ON)

Press Release: Three Thieves joins Saturday Morning Webtoons

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TORONTO – Saturday Morning Webtoons www.saturdaymorningwebtoons.com (SMW), the all-ages webcomics portal, is pleased to add  the critically acclaimed THREE THIEVES by award-winning cartoonist Scott Chantler to its all-star line-up.

THREE THIEVES follows the adventures of Dessa Redd, teenage orphan, circus acrobat, and reluctant thief. Publishers Weekly calls the series “an entertaining and action packed new fantasy adventure that will appeal to fans of the genre.”

The first THREE THIEVES volume, TOWER OF TREASURE, the 2011 Shuster Award winner for Best Comic for Kids, will begin weekly serialization on Saturday, May 3rd.

“I got my start in webcomics back in 2000 when the idea was completely new,” says Chantler. “Since then I’ve wanted to return to the idea of having something online for free,” adds the celebrated cartoonist of TWO GENERALS. ”It sure helped launch my career, and hopefully it will also bring a wider readership to Three Thieves.”

“Scott was one of the first people I approached about Saturday Morning Webtoons,” says writer J. Torres, founder of SMW, who collaborated with Chantler on the graphic novels DAYS LIKE THIS and SCANDALOUS for Oni Press. “I’m glad he’s finally joining us, and that he’s got the blessing and support of his publisher.”

Kids Can Press (KCP), publisher of the THREE THIEVES graphic novel series, is very enthusiastic about making this online offering. “We’re excited that THREE THIEVES is making its online debut with Saturday Morning Webtoons,” says Michaela Cornell, Communications Strategist for KCP. “It will bring even more young readers to this already well-loved and award-winning series.”

The official announcement of THREE THIEVES joining the SMW line-up will be made at the SMW panel this weekend at the Toronto Comic Arts Festival.

SMW updates its links every Saturday and points comic readers to some of the best kid-friendly webcomics around, brought to you by popular artists like J. Bone (GOBUKAN), Eric Orchard (ORCHARD OF LAUGHS), Stephanie Buscema (LITTLE TALES OF OTTO AND OLIVE), and Andi Watson (PRINCESS AT MIDNIGHT). The portal first opened in January of this year with weekly and bi-weekly webcomics for fans to follow, as well as a free comic “Download of the Month” feature.

Prix Expozine / Expozine Award Winners Announced

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For Immediate Release: April 5, 2012

The Expozine Alternative Press Awards!!!

The Expozine Alternative Press Awards recognize the best publications that were on display at the Expozine small press fair in the fall of 2011.

The Expozine Awards Gala was held on Wednesday, April 4, 2012, 8 p.m., at Le Divan Orange, 4234 Saint-Laurent, featuring Simon Paquet as MC, readings by Jean-Pierre Tremblay and Jese Gordon and ended with a great dance party performance by Montreal’s premier synth showman, Super Fossil Power!

THE WINNERS:

English Zine

Prologue, Jonathan Reid Sévigny

An exquisitely printed zine of large-format colour drawings, huge tableaus of characters and scenes that are simultaneously cute and violent, surreal and storybook plain. You could look at each one for hours wondering what the heck they’re supposed to mean – the unicorns, the gallows, the mermaids, the guillotines, the corner dépanneur as some sort of fairy oasis. Stunning.

Honourable mention (tie):

I’m breaking the rules a bit here with 2 honourable mentions but here goes: Jese Gordon’s Korea deserves an honourable mention as a superbly presented literary zine. The semi-transparent mylar pages complement the almost voyeuristic feel of the texts.

The zine Drop Target from Vermont gets its honourable mention for excellence as a real “old school” type zine: by and for fans of pinball, yet with a good enough presentation and variety of content (essays, reviews, comics etc.) that non-fans would enjoy it as well.

English Book

You Are A Cat! by Sherwin Tjia

This book takes a premise that possibly shouldn’t work and works it beautifully in every direction. From teenage lesbian suicides to psychopathic killers- with fresh cream, naps and feline sex in between – as you ‘pick your own plot’ this book provides genuine insight into what it actually might feel like to be a cat.

English Comic

Pope Hats No. 2, Ethan Rilly, Adhouse Books

Rilly has a fully developed graphic and storytelling style of his own in this highly existential series.

Fanzine Francophone

Impossible voyage, Celine Huyghebaert

Petite collection de pensées à la fois nostalgiques et autoréflexives entourant un voyage d’une certaine Louisa-Nar sur des cartes d’identification de bagages. Chaque petite carte d’embarcation est sérigraphiée en noir et blanc. Objet d’art finement assemblé et numéroté. À méditer!

Mention special, Fanzine Francophone:

Salade de crudités” de Boris Paillard, ouvrage de collaboration entre la poésie de Paillard et différents illustrateurs tous plus incroyables les uns que les autres. Tout le livre est sérigraphié d’où son incroyable authenticité tant au niveau de la texture que de la couleur. Flamboyant, pertinent. Bravo!

Livre Francophone

Typographie inusuelle, Marc Pantanella, Éditions L’Oie de Cravan et Finitude

D’abord pour la beauté de l’ouvrage, la maquette de couverture, le papier, la qualité d’impression puis ensuite pour l’humour surprenant, bon enfant et réjouissant qui nous pousse de page en page.

Bande Dessinée Francophone

Boumeries, volume 1, par Boum (Samantha Leriche-Gionet), auto-publication

Des petits moments du quotidien empreints d’humour, racontés avec candeur et spontanéité. Le dessin, expressif à souhait, illustre le tout de façon très efficace sous forme de strips qui font plaisir à lire.

Prix Expozine / Expozine Awards – Finalists named, ceremony April 4th (tomorrow) in Montreal

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Bryan Munn, who is on fire these days with his linkblogging has posted the list of 2011 Expozine prize nominees over at Sequential. We figure you’d like to know here so we’re posting similar information.

The Expozine Awards / Prix Expozine finalists were selected from books submitted at last fall’s Expozine in Montreal.

Here’s some info from Drink & Draw Montreal about the Awards and the ceremony (which is the English translation of the information we’ve posted in French at the bottom of this article:

At the 2011 edition of the Expozine small press fair last November, the organizing team asked each of the more than 270 exhibitors to submit a copy of their best new publication for consideration for the Expozine Alternative Press Awards. A panel of six judges from the Montreal small press milieu selected six finalists and one winner in each of three categories: best book, best zine and best comic, in English and French.

The winners will be announced at the Gala, where copies of most of the 36 nominated publications—many of which are not easy to find anywhere else—will be available for sale. It’s a rare chance to meet and mingle with the most talented up-and-comers of Montreal’s vibrant small press community!

The presentation ceremony is free to attend, and will be hosted by Simon Paquet:
Wednesday, April 4, 2012, 8PM,
at Le Divan Orange, 4234, boul. Saint-Laurent (métro stop Mont-Royal)

The Finalists Are:

Fanzine Francophone
A64N, Autobus64Nord
Tout va bien, No. 8
Fanzoune – Bestiaire des mots en « oune », Joseph Baril
Impossible voyage, Celine Huyghebaert
L’École de Quimper Des petites choses dans quelque chose, Romain Bobichon et Julie Bonnaud
La Conspiration dépressioniste, numéro 8, Jasmin Miville-Allard / Mathieu Gauthier / Yannick Lacroix

Livre Francophone
Carnavals divers, Jean-Philippe Tremblay, Éditions de L’écrou
M.I.C.H.E.L. T.R.E.M.B.L.A.Y., Orson Spencer, Les Éditions de Ta mère
Mile End, Michel Hellman, Éditions Pow Pow
Petit lexique pornographique à l’usage des vieux cochons et des jeunes truies, Adeline Rognon, Éditions La Musardine
Repères Notes décryptées, volume 1, Lou Sabourin, Les créations Lou Sabourin
Typographie inusuelle, Marc Pantanella, Éditions L’Oie de Cravan et Finitude

Bande Dessinée Francophone
Le bestiaire des fruits, par Zviane (Sylvie-Anne Ménard)
The Best of Iris Vol. 2, par Iris (Iris Boudreau)
Boni, tome 1: Le bout de la carotte, par Ian Fortin, Premières Lignes
Boumeries, volume 1, par Boum (Samantha Leriche-Gionet), auto-publication
Les cornichons étrangers, par Dimo Garcia, auto-publication
Pinkerton, par François Samson-Dunlop et Alexandre Fontaine-Rousseau, Colosse

English Book
Food & Trembling, Jonah Campbell, Invisible Publishing
You Are A Cat!, Sherwin Tjia, conundrum press
echoic mimic, Lesley Trites, snare books
Fear Itself, Matthew Brown, Éditions Trip
The North Yorker, Alain Mercieca
Unspent Love, Shannon Gerard, conundrum press

English Zine
The Wrecked Woman, Kara Sievewright
Korea, Jese Gordon
twilight in a room, dreams, and abyss, Yen-Chao Lin
Toughie, Coming of Age Stories, Kerri Flannigan
Pervy Calendar Zine, various contributors (including : Jessica Charest, Francois Pednault, Chloe Surprenant, Rochelle Ross and 50+ others!)
Prologue, Jonathan Reid Sévigny

English Comic
Maidenheadlock, Rebecca Rosen, Le Dernier Cri
Pope Hats No. 2, Ethan Rilly
“Untitled” by Mum Pittsburg, Connor Willumsen
The Man Who Built Beirut, Andy Warner
Melody On Stage, Sylvie Rancourt and Jacques Boivin, Éditions Melody
Collier’s Popular Press, David Collier, conundrum press

C’est quoi les Prix Expozine ?
Le comité organisateur a demandé à chacun des quelque 270 exposants et éditeurs d’Expozine 2011 de soumettre leur meilleure création. Six juges distingués ont procédé au choix des six finalistes dans les catégories : meilleur livre, meilleure bande dessinée et meilleur fanzine, en anglais et en français.
Les gagnants seront connus au Gala et de plus, des exemplaires des 36 publications finalistes seront disponibles pour l’achat – ce qui sera une excellente occasion pour se procurer des copies de ces publications particulières et souvent ayant des tirages très limités !
Le Gala des Prix Expozine est commandité par le Conseil des Arts de Montréal, SODEC ainsi que par la libraire Drawn and Quarterly et la libraire Le Port de Tête, 262 Mont-Royal E.
Visiter le blogue Expozine pour des photos, vidéos et couverture médiatique de la dernière édition de la foire Expozine en 2011!!!

It’s coming… Scott Pilgrim in Colour

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This August, Oni Press and Bryan Lee O’Malley will be bringing the uber-popular Scott Pilgrim series back to store shelves, but this time as an ultra-swank, 6 X 9, full-color hardcover edition. Scott Pilgrim Color Hardcover, Volume 1 reprints the Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life for the first time in full color. The digital coloring is by the Shuster Award-nominated (and WINNING) artist Nathan Fairbairn, the colorist for Batman Incorporated and Swamp Thing, and the whole thing is capped with a new cover from O’Malley.

“Everybody loves Bryan’s black-and-white artwork,” series editor James Lucas Jones explained, “but after seeing the few color stories he did with Scott and the gang, it was hard to avoid imagining a ‘what if?’ scenario. Now those wild dreams have come true. And to have one of the best colorists in the industry at the helm, that just seals the deal.”

“It’s been eight years since the first Scott Pilgrim book was published,” Oni marketing director Cory Casoni added. “Since then, the series has seen over twenty first reprints of the original format, with over a million copies of the first volumes sold. Scott Pilgrim Color Hardcover, Volume 1 takes the familiar story from the original Scott Pilgrim series and gives it a new look. Plus it includes previously unpublished extras and bonus materials making this mighty tome one that’s required reading for Scottaholics everywhere!”

Scott Pilgrim Color Hardcover, Volume 1 will be the first of six hardcover reprints to be published bi-annually. Scott Pilgrim Color Hardcover, Volume 2 is currently scheduled for an October 2012 release.

Each volume will be sized at 6” x 9”, making it bigger than the original versions, as well. “We’re upgrading the presentation in every way,” Jones said. “The traditional black-and-white versions will be there for those who still prefer that option, but now everyone can have a choice. One, the other, or both!”

Scheduled for a August 8th, 2012 publication date, Scott Pilgrim Color Hardcover, Volume 1 will retail for $24.99.

Criminal Charges Dropped In Canada Customs Manga Case

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For Immediate Release

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and the Comic Legends Legal Defense Fund are pleased to announce that the Crown has withdrawn all criminal charges in R. v. Matheson, the case previously described as the “Brandon X case,” which involved a comic book reader who faced criminal charges in Canada relating to comic books on his computer. The defendant, Ryan Matheson, a 27-year-old comic book reader, amateur artist, and computer programmer has been cleared of any criminal wrongdoing.

The total legal costs of this case exceeded $75,000. After taking the case last summer, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund contributed $20,000 to the defense, and the Comic Legends Legal Defense Fund contributed $11,000. The CBLDF also participated in shaping the defense, including recruiting expert testimony for the trial. The organization is currently seeking funds to help pay off the $45,000 debt Matheson incurred as a result of his case, and to create new tools to prevent future cases. To make a contribution to these important efforts, please visit www.cbldf.org.

After a search of his laptop in 2010, Matheson was wrongfully accused of possessing and importing child pornography because of constitutionally protected comic book images on that device. He was subjected to abusive treatment by police and a disruption in his life that included a two-year period during which he was unable to use computers or the internet outside of his job, severely limiting opportunities to advance his employment and education. Mr. Matheson has agreed to plead to a non-criminal code regulatory offense under the Customs Act of Canada. As a result of the agreement, Matheson will not stand trial. The defense of this case was waged by Michael Edelson and Solomon Friedman of Edelson Clifford D’Angelo LLP. The full Notices of Application detailing Edelson’s defense and outlining the outrageous and unlawful treatment Matheson endured are available on www.cbldf.org or by clicking here: Charter Notice and Jan 15 12 – Matheson Charter Notice.

Speaking out for the first time, Matheson says, “I’m glad to finally put this awful ordeal behind me. Ever since the beginning I knew I had committed no crime, so I was never willing to accept a plea to any criminal charge. The entire legal process is very traumatizing, and the overzealous bail conditions imposed on me were very difficult to endure. Although my defense was extremely strong, all trials are inherently risky and I value my life too much to risk a potential minimum mandatory sentence. I am very grateful for the spectacular work Michael Edelson and his team put into my case, and to all the generous people who supported me and contributed to my defense. I was able to stand up to the very last day and fight for something I believe in.” Matheson has also written a personal statement about his case that appears on www.cbldf.org.

Edelson, who managed the defense says, “The client, and my firm, are grateful to the members of CBLDF and CLLDF for their invaluable financial and moral support with respect to this case, which was of such critical importance to the client, given the very positive outcome we were able to achieve in an area of the law where, here in Canada, the Crown very rarely exercises its discretion to withdraw charges of this nature. The client will have no criminal record, his name will not appear on the Sex Offender Registry in Canada, or elsewhere.”

The Notices of Application available on CBLDF.org detail for the first time the extreme mistreatment Mr. Matheson suffered at the hands of Canadian authorities. He had his right to counsel and Vienna Convention consular rights violated when he was detained without being properly informed of the reason for detention. He was not granted access to counsel, or to the American Embassy. The Application asserts that Customs officers acted as agents for police and conducted an illegal search of his property. Matheson was also the subject of cruel and unusual punishment, including being denied food and blankets. Matheson was even told by police transporting him to prison that “if you get raped in here, it doesn’t count!” The defense detailed these and other abuses and outlined that the comics at issue are constitutionally protected in the United States, the client’s home country. The comics possess artistic merit and are widely available in Canada, Japan and the United States.

Although the outcome of this case is ultimately positive, comic book readers should be aware that there are still dangers for traveling with comics in Canada. Edelson says, “Aside from the very positive outcome to this story, your members should be cautioned concerning the search and seizure regime here in Canada exercised by the Canadian Border Services Agency. Moreover, they should also be aware that although anime and manga is legal in many areas of the United States and Japan, etc., to possess and utilize, the Canadian authorities may take a different view if this material is found on any laptops or mobile devices when you enter the country. Many of the issues that arise in similar circumstances are thoroughly addressed in our comprehensive Notice of Application.”

Edelson’s firm has created a new advisory on traveling with comics and manga in Canada that is available here: CBLDF – Legal Memorandum – Canada Issues. The CBLDF’s previous advisory, which addresses the issues of traveling with comics through international borders is located here: CBLDF Advisory – Comic Book Art at Intl Borders

“This is a good outcome, and we’re glad we were able to contribute to it,” CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein said. “While one always wants to be able to change the rules in court, those opportunities are rare, and in this case, the defense’s extraordinary effort in persuading the Crown to drop criminal charges is a very positive conclusion. We are now focusing our efforts on raising money to help pay off Ryan’s legal debt. We are also working with Ryan and experts in the manga community to create educational tools to help prevent others from needing to go through anything like this themselves. We hope that people will donate to the CBLDF to help us achieve these goals quickly.”

Comic Legends Legal Defense Fund board member Leonard Wong said, “We’re glad this is over for Ryan and want to thank him and his attorneys for their willingness to stand up to our government in this matter. We’re also pleased that the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund was able to assist the defense financially and substantively, and are creating new tools to help prevent these kinds of cases in the future. Unfortunately, this could easily happen again, so we continue our stride to establish the CLLDF as a more active ongoing concern. Our immediate focus will now shift towards raising funds and preparing for any future attacks on comics in Canada.”

Please visit www.cbldf.org today to make a donation in support of paying off Ryan’s legal defense and creating new tools to combat abuses like this from happening in the future. You can also support this effort by becoming a member of the CBLDF. Every contribution helps us get Ryan back on his feet, and furthers our efforts to protect the First Amendment rights of comics and manga.

About CBLDF
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund was founded in 1986 as a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of First Amendment rights for members of the comics community. They have defended dozens of Free Expression cases in courts across the United States, and led important education initiatives promoting comics literacy and free expression. For additional information, donations, and other inquiries call 800-99-CBLDF or visit them online at www.cbldf.org.

About CLLDF
The Comic Legends Legal Defense Fund was founded in 1987 to raise money for the defense of a Calgary, Alberta comic shop whose owners were charged with selling obscene materials. The CLLDF has since been maintained on an ad hoc basis to provide financial relief for Canadian comics retailers, publishers, professionals, or readers whose right to free speech has been infringed by civil authorities. Largely dormant since the early 1990s, the CLLDF is reforming to provide support for this case, and reorganizing to ensure that help will be readily available for future cases involving Canadian citizens or authorities. To help the CLLDF in this mission, please go to www.clldf.ca.

So it’s true…. DC Announces “Before Watchmen”

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Rumoured for months, DC has officially announced the 2012 initiative to revive the Watchmen as an expanded franchise beyond the original Alan Moore/Dave Gibbons/John Higgins mini-series and best-selling graphic novel with a series of interconnected prequel mini-series.

Darwyn Cooke is involved and is doing a six-issue Minutemen mini-series, as well as writing a 4-issue Silk Spectre mini-series for artist Amanda Connor.

For Immediate Release:

This summer, DC Entertainment will publish all-new stories expanding on the acclaimed WATCHMEN universe. As highly anticipated as they are controversial, the seven inter-connected prequel mini-series will build on the foundation of the original WATCHMEN, the bestselling graphic novel of all time. BEFORE WATCHMEN will be the collective banner for all seven titles, from DC Comics.

“It’s our responsibility as publishers to find new ways to keep all of our characters relevant,” said DC Entertainment Co-Publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee. “After twenty five years, the Watchmen are classic characters whose time has come for new stories to be told. We sought out the best writers and artists in the industry to build on the complex mythology of the original.”

Stepping up to the challenge is a group of the comic book industry’s most iconoclastic writers and artists – including Brian Azzarello (100 BULLETS), Lee Bermejo (JOKER), Amanda Conner (POWER GIRL), Darwyn Cooke (JUSTICE LEAGUE: NEW FRONTIER), John Higgins (WATCHMEN), Adam Hughes (CATWOMAN), J.G. Jones (FINAL CRISIS), Andy Kubert (FLASHPOINT), Joe Kubert (SGT. ROCK), Jae Lee (BATMAN: JEKYLL AND HYDE), J. Michael Straczynski (SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE) and Len Wein (SWAMP THING).

BEFORE WATCHMEN includes:

RORSCHACH (4 issues) – Writer: Brian Azzarello. Artist: Lee Bermejo

MINUTEMEN (6 issues) – Writer/Artist: Darwyn Cooke

COMEDIAN (6 issues) – Writer: Brian Azzarello. Artist: J.G. Jones

DR. MANHATTAN (4 issues) – Writer: J. Michael Straczynski. Artist: Adam Hughes

NITE OWL (4 issues) – Writer: J. Michael Straczynski. Artists: Andy and Joe Kubert

OZYMANDIAS (6 issues) – Writer: Len Wein. Artist: Jae Lee

SILK SPECTRE (4 issues) – Writer: Darwyn Cooke. Artist: Amanda Conner

Each week, a new issue will be released, and will feature a two-page back-up story called CURSE OF THE CRIMSON CORSAIR, written by original series editor Len Wein and with art by original series colorist John Higgins. There will also be a single issue, BEFORE WATCHMEN: EPILOGUE, featuring the work of various writers and artists, and a CRIMSON CORSAIR story by Wein and Higgins.

“The original series of WATCHMEN is the complete story that Alan Moore and I wanted to tell. However, I appreciate DC’s reasons for this initiative and the wish of the artists and writers involved to pay tribute to our work. May these new additions have the success they desire,” said Dave Gibbons, WATCHMEN co-creator and original series artist.

“Comic books are perhaps the largest and longest running form of collaborative fiction,” said DiDio and Lee. “Collaborative storytelling is what keeps these fictional universes current and relevant.”

Rich Johnston is collecting quotes from the creators involved over at Bleeding Cool.

Jeff Lemire to take over the writing duties on Justice League Dark for DC

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Just announced by DC Comics

Following the JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK/I,VAMPIRE crossover in issues 7 & 8, JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK will have a new writer.

Beginning with issue #9, superstar Jeff Lemire (ANIMAL MAN, SWEET TOOTH) will be taking over the reins. We asked Lemire about following the sage Peter Milligan and what he’s got planned and here’s what he has to say:

“This is my dream gig at DC Comics, no doubt about it. The characters in Justice League Dark are my absolute favorite in the DC Comics stable, and I can’t believe I’m actually getting a chance to write John Constantine, Zatanna and Deadman (as well as a few new team members!).

I have a huge amount of respect for Peter Milligan. I’ve loved everything he’s done since his original SHADE run in the pre-Vertigo days of DC to his current run on Hellblazer and JL Dark. It’s a bit daunting to take over this title from someone who I revere as much as Peter, but at the same time I can’t help but be inspired by the work he’s already done with this book.

I obviously have my own ideas for the title as well, and can’t wait to share them with readers. One of the things I’m anxious to explore is just why the name “Justice League” is in the title of this book? I want to explore and create new connections between this team of mystical misfits and Geoff and Jim’s big guns in The Justice League. On that note, Geoff and I have had many discussions on how to link our two books and make the Justice League franchises connect in new and unexpected ways. More on that in the near future…

So, what else can you expect from the “New” Justice League Dark? Well, you’ll see an old haunt becoming the team’s new HQ. Constantine, the master manipulator that he is, will emerge as the clear leader of the team, and there will be 2 new members as well! (Hint one’s a man and one’s a woman. One uses magic, one doesn’t.) Not enough….hmmm…how about a classic Justice League villain re-imagined as The Justice League Dark’s new arc-enemy? And that’s just the start. I have a huge storyline planned with implications across the Dark line of books.

I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention that the amazingly talented Mikal Janin will be staying on board to draw all of this fun stuff, and I couldn’t be happier about that. I’ve loved Mikal’s work since I first saw it in the Flashpoint: Deadman mini-series and I think Mikal is the perfect artist for this book. And I can already tell by our initial talks that this will be the start of a great partnership. And we’re both lucky to have the incomparable Ryan Sook making us look good.

I’m pretty damn excited to be writing Justice League Dark. And I hope you’ll join me as I take you and these characters into the darkest, strangest corners of the DCU and beyond!”

UPDATE: This means that Lemire will be leaving Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. His final issue will be #9 and the replacement writer for that title is Matt Kindt.

DC Comics confirms they have a new logo

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New identity designed to showcase DC Entertainment’s rich portfolio of brands, stories and characters across all media platforms.

BURBANK, CA, January 19, 2012 – DC Entertainment, a Warner Bros. Entertainment company and home to iconic brands DC Comics, Vertigo and MAD, revealed today a new brand identity.  The new identity is reflective of the company’s mission to fully realize the value of a rich portfolio of brands, stories and characters, distinguished by incredible breadth and depth across publishing, media and merchandise.  A new logo for DC Comics was also introduced, closely aligning with DC Entertainment’s new mark.

“It’s a new era at DC Entertainment and the new look reflects a dynamic, bold approach while at the same time celebrates the company’s rich heritage and robust portfolio of characters,” stated John Rood, EVP of Sales, Marketing and Business Development for DC Entertainment. “It was just a few months ago that Superman, Batman and many of our other Super Heroes were updated when we launched DC Comics – The New 52 and now it’s time to do the same for the company’s identity while remaining true to the power of storytelling which is still at the heart of DC Entertainment.”

DC Entertainment worked with Landor Associates, one of the world’s leading brand consulting and design firms, to develop an identity that creates a visual connection among the company, its three brands DC Comics, Vertigo and MAD and its vast array of properties as well as celebrates the power of the company’s stories and characters.  The design of the new DC Entertainment identity uses a “peel” effect – the D is strategically placed over the C with the upper right-hand portion of the D peeling back to unveil the hidden C – symbolizing the duality of the iconic characters that are present within DC Entertainment’s portfolio.

“It was our goal to capture DC Entertainment in a dynamic and provocative identity.  Our solution is a living expression which changes and adapts to the characters, story lines and the ways fans are consuming content,” explains Nicolas Aparicio, Executive Creative Director at Landor’s San Francisco office.  “The new identity is built for the digital age, and can easily be animated and customized to take full advantage of the interactivity offered across all media platforms.”

The new brand identity will come to life across all consumer touch points in order to create a clear and consistent message in support of DC Entertainment.  The new identity will begin to appear on comic books and graphic novels as well as new websites in March.  Consumers will also see the new identity rolled out over time on other DC Entertainment products from Warner Bros. including film, television, interactive games and merchandise.

“We believe our new brand identity will strongly resonate with our loyal fans who will want to proudly express their affinity for DC Entertainment and their passion for their favorite stories and characters, this new look allows them to easily do this. In addition we were excited to update our identity, it’s not often a company gets to revisit something as important as its brand and we took the opportunity to make sure it represented the multi-media business we set out to build with the formation of DC Entertainment,” said Amit Desai, SVP of Franchise Management for DC Entertainment.

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The Start of an Era? As Dragon Lady Comics closes — “The Comic Book Lounge and Gallery” opens

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For a number of readers and collectors, Dragon Lady Comics was their local comics outlet – they placed their orders and picked up their new comics and graphic novels there every week or every couple of weeks, and it was also a popular haunt for the many creators based in the area.

Dragon Lady  stayed open successfully as a viable comics retailer for 33 years (half on Queen Street the other half on College) — and managed to maintain a full time manager, as well as many part-time employees. All of whom were going to be jobless in a couple of weeks.

Thankfully, we have some good news in that a form of the store will continue on College Street, just steps away from where Dragon Lady was located:

“THE COMIC BOOK LOUNGE + GALLERY”

587A College Street (2nd Floor)

60 Metres (just shy of 200 feet) East of Dragon Lady Comics (609 College). At the intersection of College and Clinton.

This new store will be managed by JOE KILMARTIN (soon to be the former manager of Dragon Lady Comics).

As Dragon Lady closes on Wednesday, February 1st, “THE COMICS LOUNGE” will be opening on Wednesday, February 8th for the next week’s new releases.

“THE COMIC BOOK LOUNGE” will start as a subscriber based new comics business so that Dragon Lady customers can continue to pick up their books with the same reliable service that Joe and the Dragon Lady staff have been providing for years.

The end result will be a combination of comics store (with an emphasis on graphic novels and art books as well as a selection of back issues and related merchandise), lounge area, gallery space (for the display and sale of original art) and event space (for signings, book releases, talks and other events).  “THE COMIC BOOK LOUNGE” will be something new to the comics retail landscape in that it will be both a retail space AND an event space.

It will share the location with the TORONTO CARTOONISTS WORKSHOP, who will continue to operate classes on evenings and weekend afternoons, and GUERILLA PRINTING, experts at providing comic book self-publishers and artist’s needs such as prints, sketchbooks, display signs and posters.

In addition, the store will be working with CGC to make the store a submission centre for collectors in the downtown core who wish to get their comics graded, and “THE COMICS LOUNGE” will host a number of Signature Series signings and events throughout the year and at other events both locally, nationally and internationally.

Happenings: TONIGHT TCW Industry Night – Jim Henson’s A Tale of Sand release party with Ramon Perez – January 18th (UPDATED)

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A limited quantity of the book will be available for sale at tonight’s event, courtesy of Archaia Press.

Industry Night with Ramon Perez: A TALE OF SAND launch party!

Industry Night returns in 2012 with Ramon Perez and his hotly anticipated adaption of Jim Henson’s unfinished screenplay, A Tale of Sand. The TCW gallery will feature a vast selection of pages from the graphic novel juxtaposed with pages from Henson’s actual script. All of Ramon’s gorgeous A Tale of Sand artwork will be available for sale exclusively through this event and we invite you to drop by, pick up a copy of the book and say hello to Ramon!

 Date: Wednesday, January 18

 Time: 7 – 11 pm

 Location: 587A College Street, Toronto (2nd Floor)

 Admission: suggested donation of $4

Note: the proceeds from the admission will go towards covering event costs, with the remainder going towards the Joe Shuster Awards 2012 budget.