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Tag Archives: top shelf

Review: March: Book Three

Posted on July 23, 2016 by Brett

By the fall of 1963, the Civil Rights Movement has penetrated deep into the American consciousness, and as chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, John Lewis is guiding the tip of the spear. Through relentless direct action, SNCC continues to force the nation to confront its own blatant injustice, but for every step forward, the danger grows more intense: Jim Crow strikes back through legal tricks, intimidation, violence, and death. The only hope for lasting change is to give voice to the millions of Americans silenced by voter suppression: “One Man, One Vote.”

To carry out their nonviolent revolution, Lewis and an army of young activists launch a series of innovative campaigns, including the Freedom Vote, Mississippi Freedom Summer, and an all-out battle for the soul of the Democratic Party waged live on national television.

March: Book Three is the finale of writers Congressman John Lewis and Andrew Aydin, and artist Nate Powell‘s trilogy of graphic novels chronicling the early years of Congressman Lewis’ life and his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement.

As I read the graphic novel from cover to cover, I found myself filled with emotions, as Lewis’ life was there in print for those to see and read. The story is a complicated one, but it’s presented in a way that feels honest and open, both good and bad. This is an inside look at one of the most important, and turbulent times in American history from not just someone that was there, but a leader of the movement. And that’s a fascinating part of this third book, is its focus on Lewis’ role as a leader.

At 25 years old, John Lewis and his friends were looked at as radicals trying to grasp power from the establishment. The graphic novel chronicles Lewis’ meeting with Malcolm X who advised him and the movement to focus on class, not race. And all of that spoke to me like nothing I’ve read before, because over 50 years later, that exact same conversation is being had. The young radicals within the Democratic party (and politics in general) are being dismissed. The idea of focusing on class instead of race is still debated. For all the victories, what was accomplished, so little has changed. From issues of inequality to Black Lives Matter, the themes and struggle of this third graphic novel echo and repeat to today. While the graphic novel book ends itself with the election of President Obama, the graphic novel forces the reader (whether on purpose or not) to think about what that means in today’s society. Where we are from where we’ve been.

This third chapter to makes the whole stronger and for as much as I thought the second graphic novel was an emotional whirlwind, this third one left me fighting back tears at times. The whole is easily one of the greatest graphic presentations of all time, and absolutely some of the best literature to have been produced in recent years. It may seem like exaggeration but this graphic novel again brings real history “to life” in a way that is educational and entertaining. It accomplishes amazing things and will easily find its way on to book shelves as well as the classroom.

This third volume somehow leapfrogs the other two. Whether it’s due to learning or the material within, something about it created an emotional reaction I haven’t felt by any media in quite some time. And most importantly it got me to think about where we as a people and nation have been, where we are, and where we’re going.

This is easily the best graphic novel of the year so far.

Story: John Lewis, Andrew Aydin Art: Nate Powell
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

Demo-Graphics: The State of Indie/Small Press Comics

Posted on July 21, 2016 by Brett

Earlier this week I brought you demographic reports based off of Facebook data for Marvel, and DC. Up next is independent/small press comics! Basically, everyone not the “big two.”

For this report I looked at comic book publisher likes that are not the big two or part of the big two. For this report, Vertigo, Zuda, Icon, are not included though they share similar comics as to other in this report. For this report, terms like IDW Publishing, BOOM! Studios, Fantagraphics were included. Manga was left out of this as well.

You can check out the stats for 2014 as well as those for 2015.

Facebook Population: Over 6,800,000 in the United States

The indie/small press population has grown since last year by about 2.4 million individuals. That’s double the amount as last year and the year before which each grew 1.2 million.

In 2014 and 2015 Spanish speakers accounted for 12.50%. In 2016 the percentage increased to 16.18%.

Gender and Age

In 2014 men accounted for 57.50% of the population and women 40.63%. A year later, that shifted with men accounting for 59.09% and women 40.91%. The past year has brought some impressive changes as women now are a majority with 51.47% and men account for 48.53%.

This is how gender changes as far as percent over age. With women being a majority things are clearly different, but interestingly men overtake the majority around age 22 and lose it at about 33.

And the raw data.

Relationship Status

Compared to last year those engaged took a serious drop, decreasing about 12 percentage points. Those Married double in percentage and over tripled in raw number. Those that are Single dipped slightly too, dropping about 4 percentage points.

Education

With such a change in gender breakdowns, there’s absolutely shifts here.

Gender Interest

With less Men, those all saw dips as far as how much they make up in percentage. Women interested in Women almost doubled while Women interested in both Men and Women increased about 0.7 percentage points.

Ethnicity

Compared to last year all ethnicities increased a few percentage points.

Generation

The gains here all all in Generation X and Millennials, but what’s striking is again Generation X is majority women while Millennials are now about 50/50 parity.

Join us tomorrow when we look at comicdom as a whole!

SDCC 2016: IDW and Top Shelf’s Signing and Panel Schedule

Posted on July 13, 2016 by Graphic Policy Team

With just a week left until San Diego Comic-Con, IDW Publishing and Top Shelf are officially unveiling their schedule for the weekend; including incredible signings, and must-see panels. Take note, because you won’t want to miss any of the fun at the booth, or your first look at exciting new projects on the panels!

Come meet a bevy of incredible creators at booth #2743 throughout the weekend, and be one of the first to get your hands on Berkeley Breathed’s new book, Bloom County: Episode XI A New Hope and the exciting prelude chapter to IDW’s huge September event, REVOLUTION!

Wednesday July 20^thPreview Night

6:00 – 8:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz, Freddie E. Williams II, Mateus Santolouco, Bobby Curnow
(*Check out the show exclusives!)
6:00 – 8:00 Bloom County Launch Party! – Berkeley Breathed
(*Check out the show exclusive hardcover!)
8:00 – 9:00 Revolution – John Barber, Cullen Bunn, Fico Ossio
(*Get a free preview of the upcoming release!)
8:00 – 9:00 The Electric Sublime Sneak Preview – W. Maxwell Prince
(*Get a free preview of the upcoming release!)

Thursday July 21^st

10:00 – 11:00 Bloom County – Berkeley Breathed
(*Check out the show exclusives!)
10:00 – 11:00 Strawberry Shortcake – Amy Mebberson
(*Check out the show exclusives!)
11:00 – 12:00 Jem and the Holograms – Samantha Newark (original Jem voice talent!),
Sara Richard, M. Victoria Robado
(*Check out the show exclusive hardcover!)
11:00 – 1:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz,
Freddie E. Williams II, Mateus Santolouco, Bobby Curnow
(*Check out the show exclusives!)
12:00 – 1:00 Dirk Gently – Arvind Ethan David
1:00 – 2:00 The Fun Family – Benjamin Frisch
1:00 – 2:00 The Amazing Screw-On Head Artist’s Edition – Mike Mignola
(*Check out the show exclusive!)
1:00 – 2:00 Godzilla – Chris Mowry, Priscilla Tramontano
2:00 – 2:30 The X-Files – Joe Harris, Sam “Mister Sam” Shearon
2:00 – 3:00 Bloom County – Berkeley Breathed
3:00 – 4:00 3A Presents – Ashley Wood, William Wray, Phil Hale
3:00 – 4:00 My Little Pony – Agnes Garbowska, Tony Fleecs, Thom Zahler
(*Check out the show exclusive!)
4:00 – 5:00 ROM – Christos Gage, David Messina, Chris Ryall
(*Check out the show exclusive!)
4:00 – 5:00 Revolution – John Barber, Fico Ossio, Brandon Easton,
Mairghread Scott, Aubrey Sitterson
(*Get a free preview of the upcoming release!)
4:00 – 5:00 Love Addict – Koren Shadmi
4:00 – 5:00 The Electric Sublime– W. Maxwell Prince
(*Get a free preview of the upcoming release!)
5:00 – 6:00 Locke & Key, Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland, Onyx –
Gabriel Rodriguez, Chris Ryall, Eric Shanower
(*Check out the show exclusives!)
5:00 – 6:30 Archangel – William Gibson, Michael St. John Smith, Michael Benedetto
(*Check out the show exclusives!)
6:00 – 7:00 Back to the Future – John Barber, Erik Burnham
6:00 – 7:00 Samurai Jack, Mickey Mouse Shorts – Andy Suriano

Friday July 22^nd

10:00 – 11:00 Orphan Black – John Fawcett, Graeme Manson
10:00 – 11:00 The Electric Sublime – W. Maxwell Prince
(*Get a free preview of the upcoming release!)
10:00 – 11:00 Insufferable – Peter Krause
11:00 – 12:00 ROM – Christos Gage, David Messina, Chris Ryall
(*Check out the show exclusive!)
11:00 – 12:00 Revolution – John Barber, Fico Ossio
(*Get a free preview of the upcoming release!)
11:00 – 12:00 Dirk Gently – Arvind Ethan David
12:00 – 1:00 Archangel – William Gibson, Michael St. John Smith,
Michael Benedetto
(*Check out the show exclusives!)
12:00 – 1:00 Judge Dredd – Ulises Fariñas, Erick Freitas, Ryan Hill
12:00 – 1:00 Little Nemo, Onyx, Locke & Key – Gabriel Rodriguez, Chris Ryall,
Eric Shanower, Jay Fotos
(*Check out the show exclusives!)
1:00 – 2:00 Jem and the Holograms – Samantha Newark (original Jem voice talent!),
Sara Richard, M. Victoria Robado
(*Check out the show exclusive hardcover!)
1:00 – 2:00 Street Fighter X G.I. Joe – Aubrey Sitterson
1:00 – 2:00 Yellow Heat: Artist’s Edition Portfolio – Russ Heath
1:00 – 2:00 Strawberry Shortcake – Greg Ham
(*Check out the show exclusive!)
2:00 – 3:00 Wynonna Earp – Melanie Scrofano, Shamier Anderson, Tim Rozon,
Dominique Provost-Chalkley, Katherine Barrell, Beau Smith
(*Check out the show exclusives!)
2:00 – 3:00 Apocrypha Now – Mark Russell, Shannon Wheeler
3:00 – 4:00 March Book Three Debut Signing! – Congressman John Lewis,
Andrew Aydin, Nate Powell
(*Check out the show exclusive hardcover!)
3:00 – 4:30 Bloom County – Berkeley Breathed
(*Check out the show exclusive hardcover!)
4:00 – 6:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz,
Bobby Curnow, Mateus Santolouco
(*Check out the show exclusives!)
5:00 – 6:00 Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas – Troy Little
(*Check out the show exclusive!)
5:00 – 6:00 Disney Comics – Derek Charm, Andy Suriano
(*Check out the show exclusive!)
6:00 – 7:00 Transformers – John Barber, Brendan Cahill, Marcelo Matere,
Livio Ramondelli, Mairghread Scott, Priscilla Tramontano,
Dheeraj Verma,
(*Check out the show exclusives!)
6:00 – 7:00 The Jekyll Island Chronicles – Steve Nedvidek, Ed Crowell, Jack Lowe,
Moses Nester, S.J. Miller,

Saturday July 23^rd

10:00 – 12:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz,
Freddie E. Williams II, Mateus Santolouco
(*Check out the show exclusives!)
10:00 – 11:00 X-Files Prose, V-Wars – Jonathan Maberry, Jay Fotos,
Sam “Mister Sam” Shearon
10:00 – 11:00 Godzilla – Joshua Fialkov, Chris Mowry, Priscilla Tramontano
11:15 – 12:30 March– Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, Nate Powell
(*Check out the show exclusive hardcover!)
12:00 – 1:30 Bloom County – Berkeley Breathed
(*Check out the show exclusive hardcover!)
1:00 – 2:00 ROM – Christos Gage, David Messina, Chris Ryall
(*Check out the show exclusive!)
1:30 – 3:00 Archangel – William Gibson, Michael St. John Smith,
Michael Benedetto
(*Check out the show exclusives!)
2:00 – 3:00 Powerpuff Girls – Haley Mancini, Jake Goldman, Derek Charm,
(*Check out the show exclusives!)
3:00 – 4:00 March – Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, Nate Powell
(*Check out the show exclusive hardcover!)
3:00 – 4:00 Locke & Key, Onyx, Tales From The Darkside – Gabriel Rodriguez,
Chris Ryall, Jay Fotos
(*Check out the show exclusives!)
4:00 – 5:00 Wynonna Earp – Melanie Scrofano, Shamier Anderson, Tim Rozon,
Dominique Provost-Chalkley, Katherine Barrell, Beau Smith
(*Check out the show exclusives!)
4:00 – 5:00 Bacchus – Eddie Campbell
(*Check out the show exclusive hardcover!)
4:00 – 5:00 Street Fighter X G.I. Joe – Aubrey Sitterson
5:00 – 6:00 Star Trek – Mike Johnson, Ryan Parrott, Derek Charm, David Tipton, Scott Tipton,
J.K. Woodward
5:00 – 6:00 The Story of My Tits – Jennifer Hayden
6:00 – 7:00 Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas – Troy Little
(*Check out the show exclusive!)
6:00 – 7:00 Ghostbusters – Erik Burnham

Sunday July 24^th

10:00 – 11:00 The Rocketeer at War! – Marc Guggenheim
10:00 – 11:00 Amazing Forest – Ulises Fariñas, Erick Frietas, Melody Often
11:00 – 12:00 ROM – Chris Ryall, David Messina
(*Check out the show exclusive!)
11:00 – 12:00 Archangel – William Gibson, Michael St. John Smith,
Michael Benedetto
(*Check out the show exclusives!)
12:00 – 2:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz,
Bobby Curnow, Mateus Santolouco
(*Check out the show exclusives!)
12:00 – 1:00 Bacchus – Eddie Campbell
(*Check out the show exclusive hardcover!)
12:00 – 1:00 V-Wars – Jonathan Maberry
1:00 – 2:00 Bloom County – Berkeley Breathed
2:00 – 3:00 Revolution – John Barber, Fico Ossio
(*Get a free preview of the upcoming release!)
2:00 – 3:00 My Little Pony – Christina Rice, Sara Richard, Thom Zahler
(*Check out the show exclusive!)
3:00 – 4:00 Tales From The Darkside – Gabriel Rodriguez, Michael Benedetto
(*Check out the show exclusives!)
3:00 – 4:00 The Electric Sublime – W. Maxwell Prince
(*Get a free preview of the upcoming release!)

The Top Shelf section of the booth will be filled all weekend with more great creators, too!

IDW Publishing, IDW Entertainment, and Top Shelf will be busy all week long with exciting panels that you simply can’t afford to miss! Before it all kicks off though, don’t miss the cast of Wynonna Earp (Shamier Anderson, Tim Rozon, Dominique Provost-Chalkely) at the San Diego Comic Art Gallery in Liberty Station from 7 – 9 PM.

The Dynamic World of Disney Comics
Thursday, 7/21/16, 10:00a.m. – 11:00a.m., Room: 28DE
Disney Publishing Worldwide has long been turning Disney’s popular films and TV series into comic books, including notable series’ Uncle Scrooge, Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories, and Donald Duck. Join Disney comics experts as they discuss the highly anticipated release of several new comic books series based on a variety of hit Disney movies and animated TV shows, including Finding Dory, Zootopia, Star Wars, Frozen, Mickey Mouse, and Disney XD’s Star vs the Forces of Evil. This panel will focus on the creative process behind taking Disney’s beloved stories and characters from the film and TV screen to the printed page, as well as Disney Publishing Worldwide’s history of creating comics that resonate with fans of all ages and demographics, setting Disney apart as a comics publisher.

Top Shelf Productions: Live!
Thursday, 7/21/16, 11:00a.m. – 12:00p.m., Room: 28DE
Now an imprint of IDW Publishing, the tastemakers at Top Shelf are busier than ever bringing you their trademark blend of gorgeous art, storytelling charm, and literary sophistication. Join marketing director Leigh Walton and design director Chris Ross for a tour of Top Shelf’s latest and greatest. Benjamin Frisch makes a head-spinning debut with The Fun Family, the Lost Mountain Mechanicals blend history with dieselpunk action-adventure in The Jekyll Island Chronicles, Koren Shadmi explores the dark side of digital dating in Love Addict, and much more! Plus: the latest on March, and great news for Alan Moore fans and Korgi lovers…

IDW & The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center Present Crossover: Where Comics & Science Meet
Thursday, 7/21/16, 12:00p.m. – 1:00p.m., Room: 9
Diehard fans know comics aren’t just picture books for children and geeky adults. Comics have a long history of addressing complex issues, from science lab accidents to ethics, moral issues and social justice. This panel will look at the art, science and technology featured in some of our favorite comics and answer questions like: How do writers develop the stories? Are they communicating realistic scientific concepts? Could comic writers be predicting in the future of science and technology? Join a distinguished panel of scientists, entrepreneurs and artists and writers from IDW Publishing to discuss the true science behind comics and science fiction.

IDW & Hasbro: The Revolution is Now!
Thursday, 7/21/16, 2:00p.m. – 3:00p.m., Room: 9
This fall, the Transformers, G.I. JOE, ROM, Micronauts and M.A.S.K. are drawn together and nothing at IDW will ever be the same again! Take a stand with universe-builders Cullen Bunn, Christos Gage, Mairghread Scott, Brandon Easton, Chris Ryall, John Barber, Aubrey Sitterson, David Hedgecock, and Hasbro’s Michael Kelly—and get a free REVOLUTION preview comic, just for showing up!

What Was Old is New — Again: IDW’s New Formats for Classic Comics
Thursday, 7/21/16, 3:30p.m. – 4:30p.m., Room: 4
Join President of IDW Publishing Greg Goldstein as he brings together the stalwarts (or culprits) of the boom in archival publishing for details and announcements about the latest classic comic book collections! Joining Greg will be renowned comic book historian and editor Craig Yoe, IDW Senior Books Editor Justin Eisinger and IDW Artist Edition Editor Scott Dunbier and one or two amazing surprise guests. IDW is home to some of the most beloved (and award-winning) collections in comics history — with more on the way — so if you love the classics, this a must see. Free book for every attendee — PLUS other giveaways and prizes.

God is Disappointed in You 2: Apocrypha Now
Friday, 7/22/16, 12:00p.m. – 1:00p.m., Room: 32AB
It’s the second coming! Their first book, God Is Disappointed in You, was an irreverent-yet-faithful adaptation of the Bible that got everyone talking. Now, Mark Russell (Prez, The Flintstones) & Shannon Wheeler (The New Yorker, Too Much Coffee Man) are back with a follow-up book, Apocrypha Now, about the stories that DIDN’T make it into the Bible. Some of these stories were forgotten, some suppressed, others were just too freaking weird for the Bible (and that’s saying something). Join these two holy heathens for a funny and fascinating tour of what the Bible DIDN’T tell you.

Pop Culture Shark Tank
Friday, 7/22/16, 1:00p.m. – 2:00p.m., Room: 32AB
Do you have what it takes to be the next pop culture startup success? Pitch your best 90-second business plan and you might spark the interest you need from investors, media and fans to take your idea to the next level – or come to watch aspiring entrepreneurs learn from the best. Judges Ted Adams (founder/CEO & Publisher, IDW Entertainment), Suzy Ryoo (Venture Partner/VP Technology, Atom Factory), David Steinberger (co-founder, comiXology) and Maureen Fan (founder/CEO, Baobob Studios VR) will offer feedback, coaching and special prizes. Rob Salkowitz (Forbes) moderates.
*All participants who pitch at this event will receive a free copy of the Raphael TMNT Sketchbook signed by Kevin Eastman!

Star Trek: Five Decades of Comics
Friday, 7/22/16, 1:30p.m. – 2:30p.m., Room: 8
A celebration of all the 4-color Star Trek worlds, featuring a look at all past iterations and a chat with many who’ve chronicled the Enterprise crews’ comic-book adventures, including Len Wein, Scott Tipton, Mike Johnson, John Van Citters, and JK Woodward. Moderated by Star Trek editor/supreme commander Sarah Gaydos!

Spotlight on Berkeley Breathed: Bloom County & Beyond
Friday, 7/22/16, 1:30p.m. – 2:30p.m., Room: 5AB
In 2015, Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Berkeley Breathed began (without warning!) producing ALL-NEW Bloom County strips—for the first time in more than 25 years! Now, join Berkeley for one of his infamous presentations, focusing on what it’s like to be the last strip cartoonist standing! Presentation followed by Q & A!

IDW Publishing: The Main Event
Friday, 7/22/16, 4:00p.m. – 5:00p.m., Room: 4
Come experience the latest from IDW! Join artists Gabriel Rodriguez and David Messina, writers Christos Gage, Arvind Ethan David and Paul Cornell, editor Sarah Gaydos and other surprise guests as they detail current plans, awesome futuristic plans, and much more. Co-moderated by the two-headed monster that is Dirk Wood & Chris Ryall! Prizes, announcements, and Q & A!

MARCH with Congressman John Lewis
Saturday, 7/23/16, 10:00a.m. – 11:00a.m., Room: 23ABC
At last… the final chapter is here. Meet the man they call “a real-life superhero” and witness history in the making, as the legendary civil rights icon, US congressman, and #1 bestselling graphic novel author John Lewis returns! Together with award-winning collaborators Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell, Congressman Lewis has brought his incredible story to new life with the graphic novel trilogy March. Now, join all three creators to celebrate the completion of the saga in March: Book Three — a must-read account of the Mississippi Freedom Summer and the Selma-Montgomery March, and so much more — available exclusively here at Comic-Con for a limited time. Learn how March is transforming our understanding of the civil rights movement, and the powerfully urgent lessons that it brings to new generations today… and get ready to move your feet!

Spotlight on William Gibson
Saturday, 7/23/16, 11:30a.m. – 12:30p.m., Room: 24ABC
William Gibson is the novelist and screenwriter credited with pioneering cyberpunk science fiction. His Blue Ant trilogy, Patterson Recognition, Spook Country and Zero History, were New York Times bestsellers, as was his most recent, The Peripheral. Archangel, co-written with his friend, Michael St. John Smith, is now being published by IDW. Please join Gibson, Smith, and some of their IDW collaborators for a discussion in Archangel!

The Ultimate TMNT Panel: Shell Games with the IDW Team!
Saturday, 7/23/16, 1:00p.m. – 2:00p.m., Room: 25ABC
As we blaze toward the longest-running TMNT comic ever, come chat with the creators about the ongoing comic, the new Universe ongoing, the first-ever TMNT boardgame, past and future(?) crossovers and more! Featuring the ongoing TMNT braintrust of Tom Waltz, Kevin Eastman, Bobby Curnow, and Mateus Santoluoco, plus Freddie Williams III, Nick Pitarra and more!

IDW & SyFy Present: Wynonna Earp
Saturday, 7/23/16, 2:30p.m. – 3:30p.m., Room: 24ABC
By now, the word is out, Wynonna Earp was the TV hit of the Spring! Now, get an exclusive look at the action packed series with the cast and crew! Who is Wynonna Earp? A smoking hot, bad ass demon killer, that’s who. Join stars Melanie Scrofano (Supernatural, Haven), Tim Rozon (Lost Girl, Being Human), Shamier Anderson (Constantine, Defiance), Dominique Provost-Chalkley (The Avengers: Age of Ultron), Katherine Barrell (Saving Hope) and Wynonna Earp comic creator Beau Smith as they share exclusive footage, behind the scenes peeks, and participate in a Q&A!

Spotlight on Jennifer Hayden
Saturday, 7/23/16, 3:00p.m. – 4:00p.m., Room: 9
From Underwire to the webcomics S’Crapbook and Rushes to her Eisner-nominated masterwork The Story of My Tits, Jennifer Hayden has embraced a comics narrative that goes beyond the personal to the visceral. An artist, a musician, a wife and mother, a goddess: Hayden synthesizes many roles into a single, distinctive style. Join her in a discussion of how these roles transmute into art. Moderated by Karen Green.

Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency Panel
Saturday, 7/23/16, 4:00p.m. – 5:00p.m., Room: 6BCF
Join stars Elijah Wood (Wilfred), Samuel Barnett (Penny Dreadful), Hannah Marks (The Amazing Spider-man), Jade Eshete (Dead Beat), lead writer and executive producer Max Landis (Chronicle, American Ultra) and showrunner Robert Cooper (Stargate Atlantis, Stargate Universe) for a first look at BBC AMERICA’s Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, a new original series from the producers of The Walking Dead, premiering October 22. An adaptation from famed author of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams – Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency follows the bizarre adventures of eccentric detective Dirk Gently (Barnett) and his reluctant assistant Todd (Wood), as they wend their way through an insane mystery; crossing unlikely paths with a bevy of wild and dangerous characters, each episode landing them a few random steps closer to uncovering the truth. @DirkGently #DirkGently

Weird Love: Vintage Romance Comics Come Alive!
Saturday, 7/23/16, 4:30p.m. – 5:30p.m., Room: 26AB
Join Weird Comics Live! Set a date with the Golden Age’s romance genre, how it reflected the strange morals of its time and its relationship to today’s comics creators and audiences. Craig Yoe (editor of Weird Love comics) leads a juicy discussion with Ben Dickow (guest lecturer, Otis College of Art), Adriana Yugovich (LA Zine Fest) and Kristen Simon (former editor at Image Comics) looking at the role of women in these stories while LA performance group Captured Aural Phantasy Theater dramatically reads from prime examples of this crazy genre.

IDW: KIDS Rule!
Sunday, 7/24/16, 10:00a.m. – 11:00a.m., Room: 4
From My Little Pony to Strawberry Shortcake, Skylanders to TMNT Animated and X-Files: Origins to Disney, IDW loves kids’ comics and loves even more the kids who read them! Come hear from the writers and editors of our all-ages fare and then stay for the best Q&A at SDCC, since every question is only open to non-adults! Hosted by Editors Supreme Sarah Gaydos and Bobby Curnow, with Derek Charm, Jake Goldman, and Haley Mancini (Powerpuff Girls), Jodie Houser (X-Files:Origins), Caleb Goellner (TMNT: Animated), Sara Richard (MLP), Tony Fleece (MLP)! Plus prizes for all kids in attendance, too!

Plus, don’t miss the CBLDF auction, benefitting the non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the First Amendment rights of the comics medium on Saturday night at the Hilton Bayfront, Sapphire Room AB at 8PM. Featuring a Keynote speech from William Gibson, and live-sketching from Locke & Key artist Gabriel Rodriguez!

SDCC 2016: IDW & Top Shelf’s Exclusives and Debuts

Posted on July 8, 2016 by Graphic Policy Team

San Diego Comic-Con International is fast approaching and IDW and Top Shelf are rolling out their hottest exclusives and debuts for the biggest convention of the year! See below for a full list of your convention must-haves and download the ultimate IDW 2016 SDCC Exclusives Shopping Guide PDF for full descriptions and cover images.

A few exclusives are available for pre-order from IDW’s webstore beginning today. Fans that preorder will be able to pick up their books throughout the show from the IDW booth #2743 as well as from the San Diego Comic Art Gallery located at the Liberty Station Arts District in the Point Loma area of San Diego. While you’re there, check out The Art of Batman/TMNT exhibition by Kevin Eastman and Freddie Williams II. You can pick up your pre-orders starting July 20^th through July 24^th. For more information on the gallery and exhibit as well as directions, visit

IDW’s SDCC 2016 Convention Exclusives are only available for pick-up on-site at SDCC 2016 or at the San Diego Comic Art Gallery during the event. There will be no shipping options offered for these titles.

Archangel #1 Foil-Enhanced Virgin Variant

Cover by Butch Guice
$10, Limited to 500 copiesScience Fiction Superstar

Science Fiction Superstar William Gibson comes to comics! Catch up on his brand-new series that takes a dystopian look at the American politics in 2016 with the first two issues featuring foil-enhancements!

Archangel #2 Foil-Enhanced Virgin Variant
Cover by Butch Guice
$10, Limited to 500 copies

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas #1 Con variant

Cover by Troy Little
$10, Limited to 300 copies

Troy Little’s gonzo adaptation of Hunter Thompson’s Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas is now available in an all-new format. This comic book version is presented in black-and-white and at a slightly larger size than the full-color hardcover edition. This special variant features a wraparound cover by Little.

Mickey Shorts: Season One #1 SDCC Variant

B&W Cover by Andy Suriano
$5, Limited to 250 copiesJoin Mickey, Minnie and all their pals in a comic adaptation of the celebrated, multi-Emmy and Annie Award-winning shorts from Disney Television Animation! Get your black and white variant cover signed by character designer

Join Mickey, Minnie and all their pals in a comic adaptation of the celebrated, multi-Emmy and Annie Award-winning shorts from Disney Television Animation! Get your black and white variant cover signed by character designer Andy Suriano at the IDW booth!

Micronauts #3 Hasbro painted variant

Cover by Ken Kelly
$10, Limited to 250 copiesTHEY CAME FROM A DYING UNIVERSE! ACROYEAR, SPACE GLIDER, BIOTRON and their allies are back, on the run from the evil BARON KARZA, and blasting through a universe where magic and science vie for control! Featuring a gorgeous painted cover by

THEY CAME FROM A DYING UNIVERSE! ACROYEAR, SPACE GLIDER, BIOTRON and their allies are back, on the run from the evil BARON KARZA, and blasting through a universe where magic and science vie for control! Featuring a gorgeous painted cover by Ken Kelly you won’t want to miss the next epic chapter of the hit series.

My Little Pony #44 SDCC variant

“Ponies dress up as Jem” cover by Sara Richard
$5, Limited to 250 copies

The ponies put on their best Jem and the Holograms cosplay on this special variant cover by Sara Richard! Inside you’ll find “Ponies of Dark Water Part 2”, where our favorite ponies have gone bad and are loving every minute of it!

Powerpuff Girls #1 Princess Morbucks Variant

Cover by Derek Charm
$5, Limited to 250 copies

The girls are back in this debut issue of their new series! But their return is short-lived as Princess Morbucks takes over this convention variant cover by series artist Derek Charm!

ROM #1 Foil-Enhanced Variant

Cover by David Messina
$10, Limited to 250 copies

First there was his epic return in this year’s FCBD #0, and now the ongoing tale of ROM begins in earnest! The wildest new series of the year begins as Rom’s war with the DIRE WRAITHS hits close to home. Get a special foil-enhanced convention cover only at the IDW booth!

Strawberry Shortcake #3 Purple Pie Man Variant

Funko-designed cover by Greg Ham
$5, Limited to 300 copies

IDW and Funko team up for this variant cover featuring Strawberry and the Purple Pie Man like you’ve never seen them!

Tales from the Darkside #1 Foil-Enhanced Variant

Cover by Gabriel Rodriguez
$10, Limited to 400 copies

Joe Hill’s nerve-shredding re-imagining of Tales from the Darkside never made it to your TV set…but the dead are restless and refuse to stay buried! Get a unique foil-enhanced variant signed by artist Gabriel Rodiguez during the convention!

TMNT: Bebop & Rocksteady #1 SDCC Variant

Cover by Mateus Santolouco
$10, Limited to 500 copies

The most explosive Turtles event ever kicks off here as Bebop & Rocksteady find themselves in possession of a time-travel scepter and proceed to wreak mayhem on all of reality! The fearsome duo are joined by Pidgeon Pete on this convention variant by main series artist Mateus Santolouco.

TMNT #60 SDCC cover Variant

Cover by Kevin Eastman, inked by Freddie Williams II
$10, Limited to 500 copies

The next epic crossover is here as Batman Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles artist Freddie E. Williams teams up with TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman for this incredible variant cover of the next stunning chapter in IDW’s acclaimed series!

Transformers: Titans Return “Revolution” SDCC Variant

Cover by Livio Ramondelli
$10, Limited to 250 copies

The road to Revolution begins here as Rom, G.I. Joe, Action Man, and M.A.S.K. guest star on this convention variant cover by Livio Ramondelli!

Wynonna Earp #1 Con Edition Photo Cover Variant

$10, Limited to 600 copies

The stars of the hit television show will be on hand at the convention to sign a special photo variant cover available only at the show! And for the ultimate collectors a deluxe pack will be available collecting the convention variant and the extremely rare San Diego premiere variant cover!

Wynonna Earp #1 Deluxe Pack

Get the #1 Con Edition plus RARE BONUS items!
$20, Limited to 400 packs

HARDCOVER COLLECTIONS
Bacchus (Omnibus Edition) V2 S&N HC

Cover by Eddie Campbell
$75, Limited to 300 copies
Eddie Campbell’s Bacchus is a true epic, spanning a decade of work, over a thousand pages, and several millennia of alcohol consumption.

Nearly 600 pages, this deluxe volume collects the second half of the Bacchus saga (including 1001 Nights of Bacchus, Hermes vs. the Eyeball Kid, The Picture of Doreen Grey, King Bacchus, and Banged Up), with new notes and commentary by the author. Get a show debut copy of the signed and numbered hardcover edition during the show at the IDW booth!

Bloom County Episode XI: A New Hope Hardcover – Show debut

Cover by Berkeley Breathed
$40, Limited to 400 copies

Berkeley Breathed’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Bloom County ran from 1980 until 1989, when Breathed walked away from the strip at the peak of its popularity. Then, in the summer of 2015, and with no advance warning, he brought the cast of Bloom County back to an unsuspecting world—via social media—which caused a media frenzy as word of the strips unexpected return spread virally to multitudes of delighted fans. Now, his new strips are collected here in an exclusive hardcover volume. Breathed will be on hand at the IDW booth throughout the convention!

Jem Oversized Hardcover Foil-Enhanced SDCC Variant

$50, Limited to 100 copies

This beautiful oversized hardcover collects the first 10 issues of the critically acclaimed series, plus the double-length Annual, the Holiday Special, and the Valentine Special! Unlike the standard pink version the convention variant rocks a Misfits green foil cover!

John Romita Artifact Edition Convention Variant

Variant Cover by John Romita
$150, Limited to 100 copies

Nearly 200 pages of prime John Romita Spider-Man art from his very earliest days on the title, and all but 10 are scanned from the original art (NOTE—we decided to add stats of those 10 pages to complete stories. So while this is an Artifact Edition, there are FOUR complete Romita Spider-Man stories in the book)! This over- Artifact Edition showcases the absolute peak of Romita’s tenure on Amazing Spider-Man from his first 15 issues (#39 – #53), and all are twice-up pages—this one is an enormous 15” x 22” tome!

Debuting at this year’s SDCC is the variant cover featuring the iconic “Spider-Man No More” cover from issue #50!

March Book Three Exclusive Hardcover – Show Debut

Cover by Nate Powell
$30, Limited to 700 copies

Congressman John Lewis’s poignant memoir reaches its finale in the highly anticipated third book. Alongside co-writer Andrew Aydin and artist Nate Powell, the Congressman will debut the pivotal book at San Diego Comic Con! Available with an exclusive cover at the convention a signed and numbered edition will also be available.

March Book Three Signed/Numbered HC – Show Debut

Cover by Nate Powell
$50, Limited to 300 copies

Marvel Covers: Modern Era Artist’s Edition SDCC Variant
Cover by Jim Lee

$125, Limited to 100 copies

Volume two of Marvel Covers charts NEW territory—literally—featuring covers from the last 25 years! Included in this volume will be gorgeous selections by a vast array of talents as they interpret many of Marvel’s most iconic characters and titles! The convention variant features the original cover art of X-Men #277 by Jim Lee!

Mike Mignola Screw-On Head Artist’s Edition SDCC Variant

Cover by Mike Mignola
$125, Limited to 200 copies

Mike Mignola’s The Amazing Screw-on Head and Other Curious Objects features the classic Eisner Award-winning story of Screw-on head’s epic battles with Emperor Zombie and a host other bizarre and quirky villains, all in the greatest Mignola tradition!

Omnibox: Complete Alec & Bacchus Slipcase – Show Debut

Cover by Eddie Campbell
$100, Limited to 25 copies

Making it’s convention debut is Eddie Campbell’s sprawling, award-winning masterworks ALEC and BACCHUS! See why Booklist calls his work “a high-water mark in the graphic novel’s short history… no one else in the medium combines emotional truth, literary intelligence, and formal daring with such adroitness and elegance.”

TMNT: Notebook Series: Raphael #1 SDCC Variant

Cover by Kevin Eastman
$50, Limited to 100 copies

TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman has been making comics for 30 years–and across three decades he’s amassed mountains of developmental character sketches, script notes, page roughs, and even alternate pages. Along the way he’s created one-of-a-kind notebooks filled with the detritus of his process, entirely unique collections exploring the inner workings of his creative methods. But now these unattainable treasures are ready for fans far and wide, tirelessly reproduced from the original notebooks, and curated by the foremost TMNT authority in the world!

Underwater Welder HC – Show Debut

Cover by Jeff Lemire
$30, Limited to 50 copies
The New York Times Bestseller returns in a stunning new hardcover edition, featuring bonus pages and new cover art by Jeff Lemire!

Equal parts blue-collar character study and mind-bending mystery, The Underwater Welder is a graphic novel about fathers and sons, birth and death, memory and reality, and the treasures we all bury deep below the surface.

A signed and numbered edition will also be available.

Underwater Welder HC Signed and Numbered Variant – Show Debut

Cover by Jeff Lemire
$50, Limited to 300 copies

Bloom County T-shirts/merchandise
Berkeley Breathed

Never-before-seen new Bloom County merchandise at the booth

Danger Girl Coloring Book Convention Variant

Cover by J. Scott Campbell
$10, Limited to 200 copies

The luscious artwork of J. Scott Campbell is unmistakable and often imitated — and now it’s yours to color in this collection of artwork from the comic book series Danger Girl. From thrilling scenes to chilling curves, Permission to Thrill brings the best of the comics medium to the world of coloring books!

Locke & Key Gender Key Limited Release

Crafted by Skelton Crew Studios
$25, Limited to 250 copies

The unique collectables made by Skelton Crew Studios, modeled after Gabriel Rodriguez’s designs from Locke & Key, return to the IDW Booth with two special keys that make their San Diego Comic Con debut, the Gender Key, and the Thorn Key!

Locke & Key Thorn Key Limited Release

Crafted by Skelton Crew Studios
$25, Limited to 250 copies

TMNT City at War 18×18 lithograph (Convention Only Item)

Drawn by Mateus Santolouco
$10, Limited to 300 copies

Mateus Santolouco’s stunning interconnected covers for issues #45 – #50 of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles can be yours with this striking lithograph! Get it signed by the whole TMNT team during the convention!

Mystery Kids’ Comics Pack

Get $40 worth of all-ages comics for only $20
$20, Limited to 50 boxes
This special set features an assorted variety of kids titles that will get any kid hooked on comics!

Revolution Lithograph (Convention Only Item)

Drawn by Fico Ossio
$10, Limited to 300 copies

Gear up for IDW’s biggest event ever, Revolution, with this impressive lithograph featuring all of the huge characters coming together in September! G.I. Joe, Transformers, Micronauts, Action Man, and M.A.S.K. are all here in this gorgeous image with Fico Ossio and Sebastian Cheng. Get it signed by the creative team including writers Cullen Bunn and John Barber!

TMNT Ultimate Collection Slipcase Set

Contains Ultimate Collection V4, V5, V6 B&W Variants in a slipcase
Wraparound slipcase cover by Kevin Eastman
$200, Limited to 100 copies

This special Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Ultimate Collection limited edition slipcase set includes the black-&-white convention variant editions of Volumes 4-6.

Rediscover the underground roots of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in the TMNT Ultimate Collection hardcover series collecting the original Mirage Studios’ stories by creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird! Presented in oversize hardcover, you’ve never seen the TURTLES like this.

March: Book Three, Out August 2, 2016

Posted on June 7, 2016 by Graphic Policy Team

With these new struggles come new allies, new opponents, and an unpredictable new president who might be both at once. But fractures within the movement are deepening … even as 25-year-old John Lewis prepares to risk everything in a historic showdown high above the Alabama river, in a town called Selma.

March: Book Three
by Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell
A 256-page graphic novel with French flaps, 6.5” x 9.5”
$19.99 (US)
ISBN 978-1-60309-402-3
Diamond order code: JUN16-0408
In stores August 2nd, 2016

Check Out an Excerpt from Apocypha Now by Shannon Wheeler and Mark Russell

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Graphic Policy Team

Two-time Eisner award winning New Yorker cartoonist and Too Much Coffee Man‘s Shannon Wheeler and Mark Russell (you should read his Prez) have teamed up again in a follow up to their tongue-in-cheek but respectful retelling of the Bible, God Is Disappointed In You? They’re back and working together again, because every bestseller has a sequel, even the Bible.

Apocryhpha Now, on sale now from Top Shelf Productions, is a faithful-yet-irreverent take on the best bits left out of the canonical Bible. Just like its predecessor, Apocryhpha Now is destined for the nightstand drawers of hipster hotels worldwide. Follow familiar characters like Cain and Abel, Mary Magdalene, and Judas through the stories the Bible never told you, the Midrash, the Apocrypha, and Gnostic Gospels, and read The Song of the Three Jews as a rap. Apocryhpha Now tells you what the Bible didn’t, only with LOL cartoons and smart and insightful prose.

Preview: Apocrypha Now!

Posted on May 21, 2016 by Graphic Policy Team

Apocrypha Now!

Mark Russell (w) • Shannon Wheeler (a & c)

Mark Russell & Shannon Wheeler’s faithful-yet-irreverent approach to the Bible made their book GOD IS DISAPPOINTED IN YOU a modern cult classic. Now, by popular demand, they turn their attention to the best parts left out of the canonical Bible, including the Midrash, the Apocrypha, Gnostic Gospels, and more! And if you thought the BIBLE had some weird stuff in it…

TP • FC • $19.99 • 208 pages • 5” x 8” • ISBN: 978-1-60309-369-9

Preview: Jekyll Island Chronicles Book 1

Posted on May 21, 2016 by Graphic Policy Team

JEKYLL ISLAND CHRONICLES GN BOOK 01

(W) Steve Nedvidek & Various (A) Moses Nester (CA) S.J. Miller

At the beginning of the 1900’s, 1/6th of the world’s wealth vacationed in and around the tiny Georgia island of Jekyll. Captains of Industry like Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, Morgan and Carnegie all called the Jekyll area home. Using this place of grandeur and elegance as a backdrop, an alternate history is explored between the World Wars. A time of great social, political and technological upheaval. A time of ingenuity and anarchy. A time for some of the most brilliant, and horrible, minds of the 20th century to confront each other. And a time of great new heroes and fantastic new machines.

The Jekyll Island Chronicles: A Machine Age War is the first in a series of graphic novels. Part historical fact, part clockwork, and part diesel punk, they span an age of furious advancement in machine technology while exploring the span of man’s soul – whether evil or good.

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Graphic Policy Team

Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!

We’re bringing back something we haven’t done for a while, what the team thinks. Our contributors are choosing up to five books each week and why they’re choosing the books.

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.

Alex

Top Pick: Wrath Of the Eternal Warrior #7 (Valiant) – Has become one of my favourite monthly series from any publisher. While I doubt this issue will be as phenomenal as the last two, I have high hopes that it’ll still be one of the best comics released this week.

Haunted Mansion #3 (Marvel) – I enjoyed the first issue, but the reason I’m looking forward to this is because my wife, who typically doesn’t read comics, has found herself a big fan of the series. Anything I can get to encourage her to read more comics is always a good thing, and when she reminded me that this was out on Wednesday? I’ll be bringing it back from the shop for her no questions asked.

Judge Dredd #5 (IDW Publishing) – What’s happened to Mega City One? Why is Dredd in the far future? I have no idea, but I’m loving this series so I’m more than happy to stay along for the ride.

Old Man Logan #6 (Marvel) – After last issues reveal of Lady Deathstrike and her gang of merry misfits getting ready to hunt down Old Man Logan, I’m looking forward to something we haven’t seen in years: a Wolverine without a stupidly powerful healing factor taking on a bunch of savages.

Red Thorn #7 (Vertigo) – The final chapter in the first arc – I think – has me looking forward to what the creative team has in store for us. This isn’t typically the type of comic I’d read, and perhaps because of that I’ve found myself loving every page.

Paul

Top Pick: Civil War II #0 (Marvel) – LETS GET READY TO RUUUUMMMMBBLLLEEE!! The heroes of the Marvel Universe are pitted once again against each other, divided by opinions that could have far reaching consequences. The original Civil War story line was a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Didn’t they learn from the last time? I am very excited to see the start of this new story and I will be ringside with my popcorn!

Old Man Logan #6 (Marvel) – Deathstrike and the Reavers are back! And they are out for Logan, and he doesn’t have a clue. It’s really cool to see the Reavers again, a great throwback to the 90’s era of X-Men. This book hasn’t disappointed, so I’m sure this will be a good issue.

Uncanny Avengers #9 (Marvel) – Admittedly, this has not been one of my favored titles. But I like the idea of Ultron showing up with Hank Pym supposedly controlling him (or pulling the strings…see what I did there?) Anyway, the idea is interesting so I’ll check it out.

Brett

Top Pick: Superman: American Alien #7 (DC Comics) – Max Landis’ miniseries that has explored Superman wraps up with this issue. Each one has been interesting so far and has focused on one aspect of Superman with the issues building upon each other. I’m interesting in seeing how this wraps up and where it goes.

Apocrypha Now (IDW Publishing/Top Shelf) – The follow up to God is Disappointed In You takes on the Midrash, the Apocrypha, Gnostic Gospels, and more! The first book was amazing and had me laughing out loud. I expect this to do the same.

Chum #1 (ComixTribe) – It’s a surf noir where everyone seems corrupt. I love these types of crime stories and this first issue has me interested in seeing where it goes.

Civil War II #0 (Marvel) – Marvel’s big event starts here (other than the Free Comic Book Day release). Should be interesting.

Future Quest #1 (DC Comics) – DC has been leading up to the relaunch of their line of Hanna-Barbera comics and it starts here. This brings together a bunch of properties that feels like “Crisis with Infinite Hanna-Barbera Cartoons.” The first issue is definitely intriguing.

Cong. John Lewis’ March to Become an Animated Series

Posted on May 2, 2016 by Brett

Charleston Immersive & Interactive Media has optioned Top Shelf‘s March for adaptation into an animated series. The company will also create interactive educational products.

March is a trilogy of graphic novels chronically Congressman John Lewis‘ experiences during the Civil Rights movement. The graphic novels cover Lewis’ early years through his first hand accounts of his time in the Civil Rights movement and also juxtaposed with his attending the inauguration of President Obama. The graphic novel is written by Lewis and Andrew Aydin and features art by Nate Powell. All three will be producers of the upcoming series.

The first two volumes of the graphic novel series have been released and the third will be released this year. A modern masterpiece the graphic novels have been nominated and received numerous awards as well as becoming required reading in schools and being worked into school curriculum.

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