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Webcomic: The Double Life of Miranda Turner

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Reviews, Independent,

Double Life of Miranda TurnerMy pal the artist and writer George Kambadais has thrown his stylus into the ring and launched his own webcomic.

The Double Life of Miranda Turner follows the adventures of Miranda, whose life is about to get shaken up. Her sister, Linda (who, according to George, "is based on the public domain Harvey Comics character Black Cat"), was a costumed crimefighter who was killed. She exists now as a ghost, seen only by Miranda. And the ghostly Linda wants Miranda to pick up where she left off and save the world... something Miranda doesn’t believe she can do.

There's crime, mystery, adventure, and the ongoing sibling banter between two sisters that continues even though one of them is deceased. It's just getting going, and George says his "plan is to do 5 pages every 15 days."

If the page on this page is as appealing to you as it is to me, you'll like Miranda!

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Quote Of The Day: Gary Tyrrell On Webcomics

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials,

Snoopy Merchandise“And then maybe we’ll all finally come to the conclusion that no, the money isn’t online, it’s in the merchandise and the collections, and the same damn thing has always been true for syndicated strips. One last time for those at the back: Sparky [Charles Schulz] or Jim [Davis] or whichever megasuccess you wish to discuss did not become richer than God off of syndicate checks. The money came from getting the people who read the strip (and essentially paid nothing for it) to buy other stuff with characters on it.”

- Webcomics blogger Gary Tyrrell at Fleen, once again laying it out for the people who don’t get it, that the business model for webcomics is no different from that of newspaper comics. No. Different.

Don't forget to check out our other notable quotes!

[Artwork: Snoopy merchandise]

Read More | Fleen

Kickstarter: Dumbing of Age

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials, Independent,

ThIs Campus Is A Friggin' Escher PrintDavid Willis, creator of the popular webcomic Dumbing of Age, is using Kickstarter to raise funds for a collection of his strips.

This Campus Is A Friggin’ Escher Print will be “185 full-color pages with author commentary, character profiles, and behind-the-scenes material” promises Willis.

More than a year’s worth of stuff will be inside, from  September 10, 2010, to October 28, 2011. This includes storylines: “Move-in Day,” “Uphill from Here,” “Men Are from Beck, Women Are from Clark,” “The Bechdel Test,” “Media Rumble,” and “Yesterday Was Thursday.”

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Norm Feuti’s Gil Debuts From King Features

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials, Interviews,

Norm Feuti's GilCongratulations to Norm Feuti on Gil!

He started the strip as a webcomic, then put it on hiatus to work on other things, then brought it back through King Features. You can read about that process here.

It debuts this week in classic newspaper syndication (you can also find it online).

It’s a great, funny strip and Feuti’s an excellent cartoonist.

I interviewed him awhile ago when he was first starting on Gil and I wish him nothing but success.

Bookmark the strip, write to your local paper to make them aware of it, and read the heck out it.

There’s also the Gil Blog with lots of fun extras to enjoy.

[Artwork: Gil, © Norm Feuti]


My New Year’s Resolutions For 2011

Disney AfternoonI don’t like NYR’s for the simple reason that I never keep them. Lose weight, eat healthier, start smoking just so I can fail at quitting.

But this year, well, this year, I’m sure to keep some of these resolutions. Won’t you join me?

10. I will read many more webcomics, bookmark them and recommend them.

9. I won’t buy a Marvel or DC comic at a price point greater than $2.99.

8. But yet I will buy all the hardcovers from The Library of American Comics.

7. Read even more independent comics. I think that’s where the real interesting stuff is and has always been.

6. I will download more comics to my iPad. I’ll pay for them, too.

5. Figure out which movie will make less money: Green Lantern or Thor.

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Weekend Reading: Joe Casey, Thor, Dr. Spektor and Drew Friedman

Superman ChristmasThe War on Christmas is nearly done for another year, and there’s just enough time left for the War on New Year’s. Let's see what you should be reading this week:

Joe: This is simply a great, honest and open interview with Joe Casey, comic book writer/creator and co-creator of Ben 10. Perfect holiday reading from interviewer Tom Spurgeon at The Comics Reporter.

Thor: So there’s some controversy from an all-white group that’s upset that Marvel has cast an actor of color to play a Norse God in Thor. Ricky Sprague at Project Child Murdering Robot has a thought or two.

Polly: Animator Michael Sporn is happy that Dean Mullaney’s new book has arrived (as am I). Polly and Her Pals: the Complete Sunday Comics 1925-1927 comes from Dean’s The Library of American Comics via IDW.

Click to continue reading Weekend Reading: Joe Casey, Thor, Dr. Spektor and Drew Friedman


Weekend Reading: Star Blazers, Shazam! And Monty Python

Star BlazersMovies, TV, and video games! This week had it all. And even some stuff about comic books. Let’s take a look:

Star Blazers: There’s a new live-action Star Blazers movie coming, and Forces of Geek has 7-minutes of it. You know you want to see it, twice.

Mike Grell: Here’s a short interview with the writer/artist on Warlord and Jon Sable Freelance. “Grell plans more with his popular Jon Sable character and has hopes that Starslayer may make its way to the movies.”

New Comics Friday: Gary Tyrrell at Fleen catches up on some webcomics he was previously unaware of.

Raven: Comic Book Resources is reporting that the CW is interested in a TV series on the mysterious Teen Titans character. This is a way better idea than Aquaman or Green Arrow. I also like it because that means my pal Marv Wolfman gets some checks (as does George Perez) for creating her.

Click to continue reading Weekend Reading: Star Blazers, Shazam! And Monty Python


Top Ten Things I’m Thankful For This Year

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials, DC Comics,

Walt Disney's Comics & StoriesThanksgiving is that wonderful time of year where we celebrates parades, football, days off from school and work, and something else I've entirely forgotten about. Here are some things I'm giving thanks for in 2010.

Naturally, your list may vary, and be a lot less selfish than my own.

10. My TSA date, Officer Pat Downe, had soft hands.

9. The iPad. Is it wrong to want 2 of them?

8. Library Book Sales: I scored a Pogo book, Quincy’s World by Ted Shearer and Don Martin Grinds Ahead! All for less than a buck total.

7. The debut of Oh, Brother! by Bob Weber, Jr. and Jay Stephens. Funny, funny strip.

6. Five Guys Burgers & Fries: If you’re going to eat, Five it up.

Click to continue reading Top Ten Things I’m Thankful For This Year


Supernatural Law & Magical Law: Separated At Birth?

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials, Independent,

Supernatural LawI really enjoyed reading this article about a new TV series in development at Fox. The working title is Magical Law and according to the article “the would-be hour-long Fox show takes place in a Harry Potter–esque world where supernatural beings are part of the fabric of everyday life.”

I thought that was a cool idea for a show - a logical extension of the popularity of Harry Potter, Twilight, The Walking Dead and others since TV loves to make shows about cops, lawyers and doctors when it's not obsessed with dancing.

I also thought it was a cool idea because I’d read Batton Lash’s Supernatural Law, a comic book series (created back in 1979) that “features the law practice of Alanna Wolff and Jeff Byrd, who specialize in serving the legal needs of monsters and other supernatural beings, or those who find themselves in conflict with such beings.”

I’m not the only one who sees similarities, either. The A.V. Club also weighs in.

You can check out some Supernatural Law over at Webcomics Nation.

As the tag line to Lash’s series notes: “Beware the creatures of the night - they have lawyers!”

[Artwork: Supernatural Law © Batton Lash]


Top 10 Things Overheard @ NYCC 2010

New York Comic ConThe has come and gone for another year. And while you may not have been fortunate enough to attend, the spies who work for Comix 411 were there, watching, listening and recording. Here’s what they overheard.

10: “I wish DC and Marvel would drop their prices again.”

9: “Sold out?! In your face, San Diego!”

8: “I was promoted to VP of unemployment…”

7: “Is this the line for that musical?”

Click to continue reading Top 10 Things Overheard @ NYCC 2010

Read More | The Comics Reporter

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