“Read enough of these notes, however, and you get the impression that shojo manga artists are both incredibly boring and completely insane”: Shaenon K. Garrity offers a brief survey of end notes and side notes that appear in a great deal of shojo manga, in which the authors address their audiences and talk a little about themselves. It’s got a great headline.
Sweet Tooth gets even sweeter: This week’s issue of the ongoing Vertigo series from Jeff Lemire will have some very special special guest-artists—Matt Kindt, Nate Powell and Emi Lennox. You’re probably going to want to take a look at it.
Perhaps the word “best” should be in quotes…?: Writing for The Comics Journal, R. C. Harvey examines the make-up of some collections of last year’s best political cartoons, and whether they actually are or not.
Speaking of TCJ…: Nathan Wilson gives the collected edition of Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne a review, and takes the opportunity to discuss the changing singles-vs.-collection comics market, and how Grant Morrison’s work works within it.
How not to sell manga: Christopher Butcher chastises someone from Tokyopop for seemingly blaming their customers for noting that plenty of manga series that get translated and published for U.S. markets don’t ever actually complete their runs.
Kochalka crossovers: James Kochalka teams his Johnny Boo and Squiggle up with Spider-Man on one of those blank covers Marvel sometimes publishes, while this installment of his American Elf strip features a panel of art by the great children’s author Mo Willems and a Kochalka-drawn Pokemon. And what does Moe Willems been up to, when not making awesome books or hanging out with the Kochalkas? Having his picture taken.
“I still wasn’t sure what to make of the arrival of SpongeBob Comics #1, until a note from Duffy fell out”: Brian Heater reviews SpongeBob Comics #1, in the context of superior kids comics edited by Chris Duffy and featuring the work of great cartoonists better known for their adult work.
I haven’t read this all yet, but I assume Jog talking Swamp Thing for a million words is worth your time: It’s at The Hooded Utilitarian.
