The Last Days of American Crime Solicited This Month

Press release from Radical Publishing:

RICK REMENDER BEGINS THE COUNTDOWN TO THE LAST DAYS OF AMERICAN CRIME

In the not-too-distant future, as a final response to terrorism and crime, the U.S. government plans in secret to broadcast a signal making it impossible for anyone to knowingly commit unlawful acts. To keep this from the public, the government creates a distraction, installing a new currency system using digital charge cards.

Radical Publishing is excited to announce the December 2009 debut of The Last Days of American Crime, created and written by critically acclaimed author Rick Remender (Punisher, Fear Agent) and Illustrated by Greg Tocchini (Thor, 1602: New World). The bi-monthly, three-issue miniseries will be the latest in Radical Publishing’s 64-page bookshelf format with a low $4.99 price point.

The Last Days of AmericanCrime tells the story of Graham Brick, a petty criminal never quite able to hit the big score. In a grand scheme, Graham intends to steal one of the charging stations, skip the country and live off unlimited funds for the rest of his life. But the media has leaked news of the anti-crime signal one week before it was to go live... and now Graham and his team have just a few days to turn the heist of the century into the last crime in American history.

“The Last Days of American Crime is one of the most unique crime stories on or off the printed page and Radical is very proud to be a part of it” said Radical Publishing President and Publisher, Barry Levine. “We’re especially excited to work with Rick Remender, one of the most talented creators in comics today. His writing is bringing a new and unique voice to the crime genre and we couldn’t be more pleased to help bring his story to life.”

In discussing how Last Days came to Radical, Rick Remender states, “Barry Levine called me after reading some of my other books and said he was looking for original genre pitches. I had one that I’d been itching to do for a long time in The Last Days of American Crime. It’s hardcore crime with an apolitical bent and it took someone like Barry and Radical to see the potential of such a thing.”
Readers can preview the first 15 pages of The Last Days of American Crime on Radical Publishing’s MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/radicalpublishing.

The Last Days of American Crime #1 appears in the October 2009 issue of Diamond Previews and features two separate covers, one by Alex Maleev (DCD# OCT091056) and another by series artist Greg Tocchini (DCD# OCT091057).

Johnny Ryan at Fantagraphics Bookstore

Press release from Fantagraphics Books:

Johnny Ryan comes to Seattle Oct. 10

JOHNNY RYAN’S ANGRY YOUTH AT FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKSTORE & GALLERY ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery loudly presents transgressive cartoonist Johnny Ryan on Saturday, October 10 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. Ryan will sign books and present an exhibition of his original comix, colorful silkscreen prints, and sculpted figures.

This event marks the launch of Ryan’s original graphic novel Prison Pit combining his love for WWE wrestling, Gary Panter’s “Jimbo” comics, and Kentaro Miura’s “Berserk” Manga into a brutal showcase of violence, survival and revenge. The prolific Los Angeles-based cartoonist is best known for his outrageous 14-issue Angry Youth Comix series published by Fantagraphics Books. Ryan also pens the weekly comic stripBlecky Yuckerella, which has been collected in three volumes including the recently released Comics are for Idiots.
Please join us to welcome this wildly entertaining and talented cartoonist on Saturday, October 10 for 6;00 to 9:00 PM.Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery is located at 1201 S. Vale St. (at Airport Way S.) only minutes south of downtown. This event coincides with the colorful Georgetown Second Saturday Art Attack featuring exciting visual and performing arts presentations in close proximity throughout the creative arts community.

LISTING INFORMATION:
Johnny Ryan
Art show and book signing
Saturday, October 10, 6:00 to 9:00 PM

Exhibition continues through November 4, 2009

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery
1201 S. Vale Street (at Airport Way S.)
Seattle, WA 98108
206.658.0110
Open daily 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM
www.fantagraphics.com

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.