History of the Zombie World, Part 1

I finished reading The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. This is a comic book tie-in to The Zombie Survival Guide, written by Max Brooks - the son of Mel Brooks and the late Anne Bancroft. Recorded Attacks will likely appeal to readers of Robert Kirkman's Walking Dead comic book series.

Slam Dunk's Barn Burner

I finished Slam Dunk , Volume 6

I posted a review at The Comic Book Bin. Slam Dunk is a great basketball comic book that every basketball lover who reads should read at least once.

Reuters on Disney/Marvel Changing Comic Book Market

In an analyis article for Reuters, writers Eric Yep and S. John Tilak suggest that Disney's acquisition of Marvel Entertainment could lead to expanding Marvel Comics from being a niche market to one with broad, mass market appeal. The article quotes Bob Layton, former Iron Man writer and artist.



Some select quotes:



"The industry still has to make new inroads if it's to survive -- from distribution right down to the corner comic shop," said Bob Layton, a writer of Marvel's Iron Man stories. "I have no doubt that Disney may bring in a different distribution model."


"A large number of comic shops in America are dingy, poorly managed venues, akin to porn shops," Layton said. "The comic industry needs easily accessible venues where young people can casually find and purchase comics, either through subsidies or discount incentives."


Kelly O'Keefe, a branding specialist, warns that Disney could chase away some core Marvel Comics fans if the Disney takes out Marvel's edge. "The challenges are that Disney doesn't take the edge out of Marvel Comics. Marvel Comics have been famous for tackling controversial subjects. You don't want to see the rough edges of Marvel Comics rounded by Disney," said O'Keefe. [END]



What Layton has to say is a familiar refrain about the inhospital nature of comic book shops to the general public. Even the cleanest comic book shops with the friendliest staff still comes across as alien territory hostile to non comic book fanatics, at least in my experience.

As for O'Keefe's comments, Marvel Comics publications, as they stand today, could use some de-edging. If Disney does insist that Marvel's comic books becomes less edgy, the company may lose some of Marvel's core audience, but not much. The vast majority will stick around, if only to complain.

Tyrese Gibson on "Mayhem"

Actor, singer, and now comic book creator Tyrese Gibson talks to CNN.com about why he decided to move into comic book creating. Highlights:

CNN: You're a newcomer to this genre. What's been the feedback from the comic book community?
Gibson: In everything you do, there's gonna be cynics and those folks questioning what your motivation is behind getting into anything. I dealt with it when I went from one career move to the next: "Man, stick to singing; stick to acting."

I dealt with a lot of that from certain folks in the comic book world. ... They wrote these long e-mails and [started] on a smear campaign.

I came into this whole thing very innocent. I discovered my love for comic books and I want as many people as possible to experience my comic book. There's this digital revolution that's out there but the comic book world has not embraced this digital revolution on a level that it should be embraced on. And so I reached out to my contacts and I set up a meeting ... and this is my baby.

ALSO

CNN: A lot of comic book characters become heroes on the big screen. Does "Mayhem" have a future in film?
Gibson: Right now, there is no conversation on any level about "Mayhem" becoming a film. We've been approached a few times but my mind state is this: You can't expect to sell out the Staples Center until you sell a bunch of records. So we're really trying to establish the fan base for "Mayhem" before we try to turn it into film. There's still plenty of time for that.

Three O'Clock Monster High

I finished Rosario+Vampire, Volume 9

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin. It's like Charles Addams' version of High School Musical.

James McTeigue HAS Had Talks about Superman movie

Over at The Geek Files blog, writer David Bentley gives the lowdown on director James McTeigue (V for Vendetta) admitting that he has had some talks with the powers that be about the next Superman movie, whenever and whatever that will be. Apparently the Wachowski brothers of The Matrix franchise has also had Superman talks.

The Latest Chronicle of Devildom

I finished NORA: The Last Chronicle of Devildom, Volume 7 (Nora (Viz))

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin.