It’s the first day of a new year! Hope it’s a good one for you all. We’re kicking it off as usual with some news and reviews from around the web.
The Beat – In France TWO comics dominated as the best-selling books of 2023 – Good news.
The Beat – Anime NYC recieves Consul General’s Commendation – That’s cool.
Reviews
Atomic Junk Shop – Birds of Prey #4
CBR – Invasive #1
CBR – Shift #1
CBR – Titans: Beast World Tour – Central City #1
With the French election over, the task of setting up a new government begins and France’s new Macron government is looking towards books and comics when it comes to their new Minister of Culture. Publisher Françoise Nyssen will head up the ministry in the Macron government. Nussen, Belgian by birth but a naturalized French citizen who also holds degrees in chemistry and urban planning, was the president of the publishing cooperative Paradou and eventually became chairwoman of the board of Actes Sud.
While the story of a book publisher being appointed to such a position would be enough for this site, Actes Sud also has a line of comics/graphic novels, yes a comic publisher is actually in the position. And it’s an impressive line-up of graphic novels and comics.
Some issues Nyssen might tackle include an incentive program to have libraries open on Sundays, an “art allowance,” and making cultural institutions’ executive appointments more reflective of the French population’s diversity.
This is the latest example of comic fans taking over politics and congrats to Nyssen.
(via Publishing Perspectives)
It’s a new day for comics! What’s everyond getting? Excited for Divergence and DC You?
Around the Tubes
The Beat – Listen to all the panels, facts and figures from last week’s conference on French Comics – Very cool and you should check this out!
CBLDF – Cartoonist Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Mocking Birth Control Bill – Horrible to see this happen.
Huffington Post – Carnegie Mellon Students Create Interactive Graphic Novel To Teach How To Stop Sexual Assault – Excellent.
International Business Times – Meet Pakistan’s ‘Guardians’: Trio, One of Whom Almost Joined Jihad, Uses Comic Books to Keep Children Away from Extremism – Great to see comics used this way.
Around the Tubes Reviews
CBR – Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows #1
Newsarama – Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows #1
CBR – Groot #1
ICv2 – Pablo TP
Loot Crate has announced that it is now available in Finland, France, and New Zealand. There’s still about a week to go to sign up for the latest Loot Crate, which has the theme “Rewind.”
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Gunmen attacked the office of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo killing at least 12 including an editor and cartoonists. Ten others were injured in the attack, some critically. According to police, three hooded men stormed the building using Kalashnikov rifles and a rocket launcher, though more may have been involved in the attack. The terrorists escaped in a getaway car, and remain at large as of this posting. They did exchange fire with police in their escape.
Charlie Hebdo has been the center of controversy on many occassions for printing cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed. Their offices were firebombed in 2011 over a caricature of Mohammed on the magazine cover. Recently the magazine Tweeted a cartoon of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the purported leader of ISIS. It’s unknown if that has anything to do with the attack. The magazine has been under police protection for years due to threats.
This week’s issue features a cover story on French author Michel Houellebecq whose latest book has been called anti-Islam. It is being reported that Stéphane “Charb” Charbonnier, Charlie Hebdo‘s editor-in-chief and the cartoonist who drew the Mohammed cartoons who was named Al Qaeda’s most wanted in 2013, was among those killed. Also killed was Jean “Cabu” Cabut, Georges Wolinski and Bernard Verlhac.
According to eye witnesses the attack lasted five minutes and the assailants claimed to be from Al-Qaeda.
Video has surfaced of the gunmen running through the streets shooting their weapons shouting “Allahu Akbar.” You can watch the video here, but some may find it distressing.
Paris has raised its terror alert to the highest setting after the attack.
Our thoughts are with the employees of Charlie Hebdo and to the families and friends of those lost.
ComiXology is having a good time over at Festival de la Bande Dessinée d’Angoulême 2014 (we’re jealous). They recently launched a survey to look at just who their French digital users are and have shared the results with us! You can compare this to their worldwide stats found here and here.
Also ComiXologist Jeremy Nguyen, who not only is one of the many people behind transforming each week’s comics in to Guided View but is an accomplished illustrator himself, has joined the comiXology team at the show this year and is doing a journal of the experience. Check out some of his work below or on the comiXology Tumblr.
It is new comic day! What’s everyone getting as they head to the shops?
Around the Tubes
Bleeding Cool – Ex-French Attorney General Sues Over Graphic Novel – Yeah, can’t see this happening in the US.
Engadget – Apple patent outs system for turning video game choices into comic books, is all about Mass Effect – This is interesting.
Kotaku – Batman: Arkham Origins Will Have Multiplayer, Sources Say – It could work and definitely would be interesting.
Around the Tubes Reviews
The Beat – Daredevil #25
Publishers Weekly – Comics Reviews—December
Today comiXology announced the formation of “comiXology Europe”, a division of the company that will be spearheading the acquisition of international language content across the European continent. ComiXology Europe will be headquartered in Paris, France.
With its English language catalog content, comiXology charts as iTunes’ top grossing book app in France and several other European countries including Germany, Italy, and Spain as well as the U.K. The company plans to offer local European language content to build upon its existing international business, which is already a significant driver of revenue for the company.
ComiXology’s opening of an office in Paris as its headquarters for European expansion is no surprise, as France has one of the most vibrant markets for graphic novels – called bande dessinées in French – in the world, with an industry that is comparable in size to the U.S. market.
The staff of comiXology Europe will be present alongside a U.S. contingent at this week’s Angoulême International Comics Festival at booth RL 7.
