The Marvel Select line has put out a lot of great figures in the 11 years it’s been around, and not all of them are easy to find nowadays! Luckily, Diamond Select Toys regularly goes back and re-issues some of the more popular figures to make sure everyone who wants to start a Marvel Select collection has the ability to get the characters they want. This year, DST has brought back the Classic Green Goblin figure as well as the original Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze! Blaze stands atop a base depicting a particularly unpleasant section of Hell, and Goblin re-creates the famous cover of Amazing Spider-Man #39, with glider and tied-up Peter Parker. Check out the redesigned packaging below, and look for both figures to return to comic shop shelves (and online store databases) this summer!

Diamond Select Toys teamed up with Marvel to allow fans to vote on the characters they wanted to see in the Marvel Minimates 50th consecutive assortment.

The characters in each poll were based on fan wish lists, so it was anybody’s guess who would win, and now that the results are final the line-up may shock you! (Note: Spider-Man villain Shocker was not a winner.) This series will only be available at comic shops and specialty stores in summer 2013, so be sure to pre-order with your local comic shop (or your favorite online retailer) when the time comes!

MAIN ASSAULT TEAM
The first poll dealt with the superstars of the Marvel Universe, the A-list heroes everybody knows and loves. The clear winner, with 2,516 votes, was Ghost Rider, in his most recent look as Danny Ketch, complete with blue flame. Second place went to Cyborg Spider-Man, with 1,723 votes, and both characters will be made in Series 50.

SUPPORT TEAM
The second poll was entirely composed of the supporting heroes of the Marvel Universe, those who may occasionally headline a mini-series but are primarily team players. The surprising winner of this poll with 1,719 votes was Thunderbolts member Songbird — one of the few female characters in any of the polls. She will be the sole Support Team member made in Series 50.

PRIMARY TARGETS
The all-villains poll gave us the largest portion of the assortment, with crossover villain and Heroes Reborn instigator Onslaught coming in first place with 1,535 votes. Additionally, the second-place winner was longtime Avengers foe Baron Zemo II, with 1,337 votes. Both will receive figures in the assortment, and Zemo will also receive the rare variant figure in the wave — his father, Baron Zemo I.

CANNON FODDER
The final poll was dedicated to army-builder characters who may not have individual names, but are known to fans for their roles in some of Marvel’s most epic battles. The winner, with 935 votes, was the classic Nova Corps Centurion, who recently played a key role in the War of Kings. A Corpsman will be packaged with Zemo I AND Zemo II, and will include alternate head and hair pieces to represent different characters and races.

It’s new comic book day already!  What’s everyone getting?

Around the Blogs:

Den of Geek – Ghost Rider, The Walking Dead, and creative ownership in comics - Pretty solid read.

io9 – How My Little Pony’s Lauren Faust will make you love Batgirl and Supergirl all over again - Will Brony’s follow?

USA Today – Rare comics collection could fetch $2M at auction – I doubt mine would bring in $200.

GeekWeek – GREEN ARROW TV Pilot Gets Green Light – But will it be any good?

GeekWeek – Snikt! THE WOLVERINE Gets a Release Date – But will it be any good?

The Mary Sue – Everybody Asked Kate Beaton How to Make it in Comics, Here’s Some of What She Said – A good read with some great advice.

Was anyone expecting a different result?  The first comic book movie to debut this year has gone down in flames it’s opening weekend.  Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance opened up in third place with an estimated $22 million.

Even with higher ticket prices the movie debuted 52% lower than the first Ghost Rider’s $45.4 million opening in 2007.  The movie had a budget of $57 million, so there’s a good chance Sony will make it’s money back.

The demographics of the movie audience was 68% male and 48% under 25 and it received a C+ CinemaScore.  The movie currently has a 15% rating on Rottentomatoes.

It’s been a hell of a week when it comes to creator rights and shit hitting the fan online.  What started the storm was the lawsuit by Gary Friedrich against Marvel over his credits and rights to Ghost Rider.  Not surprisingly, Friedrich lost the case, but it wasn’t his loss that cause the shitstorm, it’s the decision that Friedrich now owes Marvel $17,000 according to a decision involving a counter-suit by Marvel.  They 68 year old Friedrich doesn’t have that type of money, showing how poorly creators are paid, no matter how iconic and popular their creations.  This was all on the heels of Marvel’s fight with the Kirby estate.  Things were ready to explode.

First up is the idiocy of the counter-suit.  Basically, Marvel is suing Friedrich for selling drawings he did of Ghost Rider at shows.  This is a common practice and usually you can get most artists to draw most characters.  It’s an unwritten rule that companies allow this to happen as it’s good promotion for them, generates good will within the community and as a whole is a bit difficult to police.  Well, Marvel just took a dump on that.

Now, all creators need to think twice about what they draw for fans, who knows how many years down the road they may be sued and asked for that money gained.  Not to mention the massive amount of unauthorized art on sites like DeviantArt and Etsy.  Really, I’m shocked Marvel was rewarded any monetary amount concerning they haven’t enforced their intellectual property anywhere similar and have gained WAY more than they might have lost.

Congrats Marvel for ruining the fun.  What’s more disturbing is Marvel’s very apparent shift publicly and their pissing on fandom.  The Kirby fight is over tens of millions of dollars, I get that, but there’s an amicable solution out there for all parties.  This lawsuit with Friedrich is just kicking a man when he’s down.  Marvel won, leave the man be now.  Allow him to call himself grandpooba if he wants, as long as he doesn’t license items, create toys, whatever, he should be allowed to draw whatever he’d like.  This is the way it’s been done for everyone else and should continue to be so.  On top of that Marvel and their parent company Disney supported the Stop Online Piracy Act and Protect IP Act.  Both are very anti-consumer and fans.  That legislation took the might of hundreds of websites to defeat and luckily we did.

Did no one learn from SOPA? Do something stupid and the internet will FIND you and CUT you.—
Bryan J Daggett (@TheBDAG) February 11, 2012

But what can we do?  Talks of boycotts abound and as they continue to trample on fandom and creativity as a whole.  My enthusiasm to support them has been diminished and this is from a Marvel fanboy and I’m less inclined to give them my dollars and devote my time to promote their products.  Vote with your dollars and support creator friendly companies and indie comics.

This week's moral: If you create something as cool as Watchmen or Ghost Rider take it to @imagecomics so you can own it outright forever.—
Erik Larsen (@ErikJLarsen) February 11, 2012

But even more disturbing is their lack of response to all of the furor.  There’s nothing.  No interviews, no comments, no acts to show they care.  Instead we get silence.  It’s a court case and many times you can’t, but that doesn’t limit them from engaging the community as a whole.  Marvel comics has a black eye and they need to address this before things really gain steam.

What can do is SUPPORT GARY FRIEDRICH!

Steve Niles has set up a PayPal account where you can chip in what you can to help Friedrich with his debt.  I know it’s difficult financially for so many, but $5 goes a long way if enough of us give.  So skip the $10 you were going to spend seeing a Marvel movie this summer, instead give it to Friedrich in protest.

Gary Friedrich went to Facebook to give his thoughts on the subject:

Since the various news agencies and websites have reported the ruling against me on my claims against Marvel in the Ghost Rider lawsuit, and the assesment of a $17,000 judgment against me and my company instead, I have read an amazing amount of comments in my support on the internet, and have received many messages of support directly. Although the reports of my employment situation and financial difficulties as well as problems with my health are unfortunately true, I want to let everyone in the comic book world, especially my supporters and fans of the Ghost Rider character which I invented, created, and wrote, that I am going to appeal the Court’s ruling and continue to fight this as long as I am able and that your support of me means more than you will ever know. I have heard your voices. I thank you with alll my heart, and I appreciate your thoughts and best wishes as I soldier on.

It’s sad that it’s gone this far and a multi-million dollar company thinks it seriously needs $17,000 from a man they’ve shown little gratitude towards for making them millions.

Marvel recently won it’s court case against Gary Friedrich as to who owns the rights to Ghost Rider.  Friendrich created the character and the court case was about whether any money or rights were owed to him.  With the second movie on it’s way, that’s pretty important (but then again, did the first one make money?).

The court decision sided with Marvel and said they owed Friedrich nothing, but agreed with a counter claim by Marvel that Friedrich owes the corporation $17,000.  That’s the money that Gary has earned over the years selling prints of Ghost Rider at conventions, etc.  Did we mention Friedrich is penniless?  Friedrich is also not allowed to say he created Ghost Rider for financial gain.  We’ll say it for him instead, than man did.

Disney purchased Marvel for $4 billion, they spent millions on the movie and have gained god knows how much money from this character and they’re going after this man… can we now say Marvel is the unfriendliest comics company for creators?

Between Marvel and Disney’s support of SOPA/PIPA, their ongoing fight against the Kirby estate and this, what jackasses.  This hasn’t gone unnoticed by the fans.  Murmuring  of a protest and boycott of this summer’s Avengers movie have spread due to the Kirby fight and a petition has started on Change.org to pressure Marvel to give credit and royalties to Jack Kirby and his family.

Here’s the legal language concerning Friedrich:

1. The profits realized by plaintiffs in connection with the distribution and sale of goods depicting the Ghost Rider character appearing in Marvel Spotlight, Vol. 1, No. 5 (the “Work”) which is the subject of MCI’s copyright infringement counterclaim amount to $17,000.

2. Upon the entry of the Final Judgment (i) dismissing all claims pleaded in the amended complaint, (ii) awarding damages to MCI against plaintiffs on MCI’s counterclaim in the amount of $17,000, (iii) permanently enjoining plaintiffs and all natural or legal persons acting on their behalf or in concert or participation with them from manufacturing, reproducing, distributing, adapting, displaying, advertising, promoting, offering for sale, selling, using or purporting to authorize others to use the image of any characters appearing in, or any copyrightable material expressed in, the Work or any materials that are substantially similar to, or based on, any element of the Work in connection with the sale of any goods, merchandise or services including, without limitation, publications, posters, toys, games and playthings, prerecorded videotapes and DVDs featuring live action or animated motion pictures, video game software and other video products, T-shirts and other items of apparel (provided, however, that such injunction shall not prohibit plaintiffs from selling Gary Friedrich’s autograph by affixing the same to a product manufactured by MCI or by others under license or permission from MCI and purchased by plaintiffs at retail), and (iv) awarding defendants the costs and disbursements of this action available as a matter of law pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(d) and 28 U.S.C. § 1920, MCI and plaintiffs will execute and cause to be filed a stipulation dismissing the Trademark Counterclaims without prejudice and without costs to any party.

3. In consideration for MC1′s agreement to dismiss the Trademark Counterclaims, plaintiffs consent to an injunction enjoining them and all natural or legal persons acting on their behalf or in concert or participation with them from using or purporting to authorize others to use the words “Ghost Rider” as a trademark, trade name, or similar designation of origin in connection with the sale of any goods, merchandise, or services.

(via Bleeding Cool)

It’s Friday and only a few days left of the year.  I’m doing my best to catch up on reviews, so expect a flurry today.  While you wait for the first roll out, here’s news you might have missed.

Around the Blogs:

ICv2 – Marvel Owns Ghost Rider – Shocker…

Focus Taiwan – Website launched to promote Taiwanese comics – I might have to check out some Taiwanese comics now.

CBLDF – Today In Comics Showcases First Wave of Comics Code Censorship Articles – Some good history.

Around the Tubes Reviews:

CBR – American Vampire #22

CBR – Aquaman #4

Open Book Society – Pariah #4

Wow, this looks as bad as the first.

Two weeks down of reviews and two more to go.  Expect some more later today and hopefully I’ll be totally caught up by week’s end.

Alpha Flight #3 – Alpha Flight is on the run and this series at this point would be ho-hum if it weren’t for the fact I’m interested in seeing what the Unity party is really up to.  The limited series is close to the half-way point and so far, it’s ok, but hasn’t made it’s case to be an ongoing comic book.  The art too is off at times with odd positions of the bodies and art that just doesn’t do it for me.

Story: 6.75 Art: 6.75 Overall: 6.75

American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest #3 – Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy’s offshoot comic about Nazi Vampires just keeps getting better and better expanding the world we already know.  Amazing stuff and I can’t recommend it enough.

Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9

Avengers Academy #17 – There’s parts of this comic I liked and a lot I didn’t.  The art is inconsistent, and overall the comic feels like the “B” coming to the other Avengers “A.”  I know the series gets a lot of praise, but I was a much bigger fan of it’s previous incarnations, and it hasn’t quite lived up to the potential of it’s first few issues.

Story: 7 Art: 6.75 Overall: 7

Black Panther: The Man Without Fear #522 – I had my doubts when I first saw the American Panther sketches, but using Fear Itself to bring back the Hate Monger has worked really well, mainly because it doesn’t deal with the terrible story that Fear Itself is, and instead treats it as a backdrop.  The last story arc was ok, but this one has kicked it up a lot dealing with hate, fear and immigration, a lot of issues being debated today.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Booster Gold #47 – The art is my issue with this particular issue.  It’s very, very off.  The story is ok and there’s some cool moments, especially the ending, but the series clearly went out with a whimper and not the bang I’d hope for DCnU.

Story: 7 Art: 6.5 Overall: 6.75

Criminal: The Last of The Innocent #3 – Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips latest entry in their noir comics is as amazing as you’d expect.  Instead of following the do-gooder who gets caught up in a bad situation the focus is on the bad guy.  It’s enough to inject massive life in a series that’s far and above the rest to begin with.  Absolutely  mastery.

Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10

Daken: Dark Wolverine #12 – Daken’s plan for the armored car robbery continues and that’d be just ok, but Daken is now having an issue with addiction, and that is getting interesting.  The character doesn’t get the respect he deserves and this series is proving why he stands apart and isn’t just a second rate Wolverine.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Deadpool #41 – Deadpool is still in the crazy asylum and the series, which has been having issues lately with quality, has bounced back for at least this one.  The art is back on track and I’m starting to like the move away from slapstick.  It’s a big improvement.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Fear Itself #5 – This summer event by Marvel has been underwhelming and this comic is the perfect example of the issues it has.  Thor dropping his usual speech, Spider-Man turning and running, and a simple solution when it comes to saving Ben Grimm.  There’s attempts at cool moments here and it all falls flat.

Story: 6 Art: 6.75 Overall: 6.25

Fear Itself: Uncanny X-Force #2 – X-Force does it’s part in Fear Itself and I can’t say it adds anything to the storyline.  They’re on the move to stop the Purifiers who are trying to take advantage of the situation and not even art by Bianchi can save this mess of a comic that doesn’t need to exist.

Story: 6.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 6.75

Fear Itself: Wolverine #2 – Too many places at once is the issue of this not needed comic tie-in.  The art and character design is inconsistent and other than the parts with Wolverine’s girlfriend, I can’t say any of this is needed or important.  A clear cash-in that adds nothing to the story and in fact causes bigger issues with it.

Story: 6 Art: 6.75 Overall: 6.5

Flashpoint #4 – It’s the second to last issue of the event that’s forced DC to grow up.  In a five issue limited series DC comics has not only reshaped their entire universe, but they’ve also brought their comics into modern times.  The fourth issue moves the story along with some great moments and a cliffhanger for the fifth and final issue that makes me count down in anticipation of the next issue.

Story: 9 Art: 8.75 Overall: 9

Flashpoint: Batman – Knight of Vengeance #3 – As a single issue, I can’t say I’ve enjoyed this final one as much as the previous two, but as a whole, all three are a solid read.  This issue jumps back and forth between the past and present which fills in some of the blanks.  Overall a solid three issues, even though this is the weakest of the bunch.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Flashpoint: Citizen Cold #3 – A pretty cool ending to the three issue limited series that just fits the feel of a world ending.  The art is solid and story entertaining.  A solid comic overall and very good limited series.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Flashpoint: Deadman and the Flying Graysons #3 – An interesting comic, but the issue is it doesn’t wrap anything up, in fact it ends as an origin comic.  The story is ok, but nothing too special, but I do think the last quarter was much better than the first three fourths.

Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7

Flashpoint: Deathstroke and the Curse of The Ravager #3 – An interesting story that adds to the world of Flashpoint, but doesn’t add anything to the Flashpoint story.  It’s a decent three issues, but I can’t say I came away with having to read them at all.  Decent, but not great.

Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7

Flashpoint: Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown #3 – Wow, did this third issue go off the rails.  There’s lots of twists and turns and even more that’s just not explained.  Why’s the doctor dressed as a mummy?  Why are they on horses when they had a plane?  Just such silliness that an ok idea crashes and burns in the end.

Story: 6.5 Art: 6.75 Overall: 6.5

Flashpoint: Secret Seven #3 – Out of all of the books, this one is my least favorite.  I really don’t understand what was going on, and I honestly didn’t care to figure it all out.  The issue is too much backstory that if you didn’t know the characters, you didn’t know what was going on.

Story: 6 Art: 6.75 Overall: 6.5

Flashpoint: World of Flashpoint #3 – A pretty sappy ending.  The good about this series is it tied directly into the great Flashpoint story, but it didn’t add anything to it in the end, except show off a bit more of the world.  But, that’s about it, it’s a three issue glorified travel guide.  It’s not bad in anyway, but not really a must read.

Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7

Ghost Rider #2 – I’m still not quite sure what I think about this comic.  It’s not bad in any way, but also doesn’t quite grab me like I’d hope.  I’m sure die-hard Ghost Rider fans will appreciate it more, but to me, it’s missing that hook that gets me really excited.

Story: 7 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.25

Hero Comics 2011 – A comic book to benefit the Hero Initiative, it features work by some greats.  For $3.99 you get some awesome stories and it goes towards a good cause.

Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9

Heroes for Hire #10 – The once great series has been sidelined to deal with the underwhelming Marvel event Fear Itself.  The team is split between the chaos on the Raft and what’s going on at Yancy Street and neither of it is particularly entertaining.  This just slows down the momentum the series had.

Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7

Iron Man 2.0 #7.1 – If the point one comics are supposed to be a jumping on point for new readers, this didn’t achieve that.  Instead it’s just a continuation of the ongoing storyline which continues next issue.  So the question remains why does this comic exist and why wasn’t it just the eighth issue?  The issue is good in that it continues the Palmer Adley storyline, but, it doesn’t need to exist as a point one.

Story: 7.25 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.25

Irredeemable #28 – Plutonian is back and the world and The Paradigm react to his return.  But what happens to the people who lied when they said they’d protect you.  It’s an interesting issue and I have no idea what Mark Waid has in store next for this series.

Story: 8 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.75

Mega Man #4 – A cute ending that’s perfect for younger kids.  The story is entertaining and has enough nostalgia for adults to appreciate it.  It’s a decent first arc, but a bit rushed overall.

Story: 7.75 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8

Moon Knight #4 – Moon Knight and Echo check up on each other and have their first date, sort of.  The series is beyond solid taking Moon Knight’s crazy to a whole new level.  The series is fantastic with great writing and amazing art to match.  This should definitely be on your pull list.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.75

The New Avengers #15 – The issue’s focus is Squirrel Girl and her time during Fear Itself.  It’s really entertaining with a great voice to the story telling and solid artwork.  It might seem silly at first, but it’s a really good issue.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

New Mutants #29 - After a solid last issue, this one seems to run into the issues we’ve seen with Fear Itself tie-ins.  The story just seems out of place and the characterization is off.  Along with a new art style (which grew on me throughout the issue) the series seems to have swerved again.  This series gets a lot of praise and I’m still not quite sure why.  It’s not bad, but clearly the weakest of the “X” books.

Story: 7 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.25

Rachel Rising #1 – The first issue of Terry Moore’s new series brought with it a lot of buzz and I can see why.  It’s all tease though and I think I can see where it’s going, but not 100% sure.  There’s enough there though to get me to check out the next issue.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

Secret Six #36 – So sad to see this series go.  It’s been a great ride and this final issue has so much going for it.  It’s not perfect, but it hits every note reminding us what made the series so special.  It’s been great, and unfortunately we won’t be seeing it in the relaunched DCnU.  Thank you Gail Simone for giving us thirty-six fantastic issues.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Severed #1 – Scott Snyder puts together another amazing horror series, which he’s shown he’s a master of.  This one also takes place at the early onset of the 20th century, a time period he seems to enjoy writing about.  We’re teased a lot and it’s more than enough to get me to check out the second issue.

Story: 9 Art: 8.75 Overall: 9

S.H.I.E.L.D. #2 – The series continues and I continue to scratch my head.  I want to like it, and the ideas seem very interesting, but to say I really understand what the hell is going on here is a lie.  This is one I know I need to go back and reread the entire thing through again.

Story: 7 Art: 8.5 Overall: 7.5

Supreme Power #3 – A series that continues to mix super heroes and politics, I’ve been finding what it’s been doing is interesting.  There’s only one more issue left in this volume, and I’m a bit perplexed how it’s going to wrap up everything that needs to be.  It’s a very interesting book though and I can’t wait to see what the fourth issue holds.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Thunderbolts #161 – The team is focused on saving Chicago, and overall the story is decent with some good interaction between the characters.  I can’t say it’s great though.  But, a fun read.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.5

the Unwritten #28 – Huh, is really all I can say.  The comic series about stories and myths begins to set it’s sites on Biblical tales.  How this comic didn’t cause more of an uproar, I’ll never know.  But it’s continuing to bring up interesting points in ways I can just barely comprehend.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8 Overall: 8.25

Vengeance #2 – I seriously don’t get this series.  It’s supposed to focus on the next generation of heroes and villains, but we’ve seen this exact same story done before, and better.  I’m waiting for the big reveal, but so far, pretty unimpressed.

Story: 6.75 Art: 7.25 Overall: 6.75

War of the Green Lanterns Aftermath #2 – The war is over and Sinestro still has a ring on his finger.  The corps is rocked and everyone is in doubt.  If anything this is an attempt to bridge the new Green Lantern series we’ll be seeing in DCnU.  It’s interesting and does it’s best to set up what’s coming next.

Story: 7.75 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.75

Wolverine #13 – One more issue and this story arc is over thank god.  Wolverine continues to run the gauntlet as we get to see the pain he’s caused from the view of his victims.  Yawn.

Story: 7.75 Art: 8 Overall: 7.75

X-Factor #223 – The story focusing on Rahne’s child continues and hopefully it ends soon.  I can’t say this is the best of stories involving this team lately.  It has it’s moments, but right now, it’s only ok.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75

X-Men #15.1 – I’m so confused as to what the point of these point one comics are.  I thought they’re supposed to be easy entry points to get new readers pumped and interesting about the comic and characters?  This is a self contained story, but it has nothing to do with what makes the X-Men interesting.  An utter failure.

Story: 7.75 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.75

X-Men; Legacy #253 – How come Magneto’s helmet keeps coming going?  Where does he put it when he’s not wearing it.  Other than that weird art issue, the story is cool and we get to the meat of what we want.  The return of Havok and Polaris and Rachel.

Story: 8.25 Art: 7.75 Overall: 8

X-23 #13 – Laura, meet Spider-Man and the FF, FF and Spider-Man this is Laura.  While that’s interesting and has potential, it’s the hint we might see the NYX crew back that gets me more excited.

Story: 7.25 Art: 7 Overall: 7.25

The weekend is here and I plan on catching up on three weeks worth of books and begin the backlog of reviews.  There’s still quite a few cons coming up, so planning begins for those as well.  While I do that, what are folks plan for the weekend?  While you contemplate that, here’s the news you might have missed.

Around the Blogs:

The Mary Sue – Womanthology Sets the Record Straight On Where Its Funds Are Going – One take on the controversy.

The Beat – Womanthology: $100k may go to help start a new comics imprint — UPDATED – Another take on the controversy.

The Beat – One Piece set record with 2 million sold in 4 days – See, sales can be good.

ICv2 – Wahlberg Ready to Strap on ’2 Guns’ – Another comic movie!

Ars Technica – Spoilers don’t spoil anything – An interesting article about spoilers and if they really ruin things.

Monthly/Quarterly Sales:

ICv2 – ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ #666 Tops July Sales

ICv2 – Top 300 Comics Actual–July 2011

ICv2 – Top 300 Graphic Novels Actual–July 2011

Around the Tubes Reviews:

IGN – The Amazing Spider-Man #667

CBR – Amazing Spider-Man #667

IGN – American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest #3

IGN – Artifacts #9

IGN – Batgirl #24

IGN – Batman and Robin #26

IGN – Black Panther: The Man Without Fear #522

IGN – Booster Gold #47

IGN – Criminal: The Last of the Innocent #3

IGN – Daken: Dark Wolverine #12

IGN – Deadpool #41

IGN – Fear Itself #5

CBR – Fear Itself #5

IGN – Fear Itself: Uncanny X-Force #2

IGN – Flashpoint: Citizen Cold #3

IGN – Flashpoint: Deadman and the Flying Graysons #3

IGN – Flashpoint: Emperor Aquaman #3

IGN – Flashpoint: Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown #3

IGN – Ghost Rider #2

IGN – Hellboy: The Fury #3

CBR – Hellboy: The Fury #3

IGN – The Incredible Hulks #634

IGN – Morning Glories #11

IGN – The New Avengers #15

IGN – PunisherMAX #16

IGN – The Red Wing #2

IGN – Spider-Island: Cloak & Dagger #1

IGN – Spider-Island: Deadly Foes #1

IGN – Ultimate Comics: Fallout #5

IGN – The Unwritten #28

IGN – Vengeance #2

IGN – War of the Green Lanterns: Aftermath #2

IGN – X-Men #15.1

IGN – X-Men Legacy #253

Paste Magazine – Comic Book & Graphic Novel Round-Up (8/10/11)

IGN – Comic Book Reviews for 8/10/11