You Should Read These Comics, by DAN MacLEOD
New around comics? Or just looking to broaden your horizons? Dan MacLeod (@DSMacLeod on the Twitter) is a writer and musician who recently rediscovered his love of the artform. He has a fresh perspective on some cool books for new and experienced readers alike:
Oh, Political Me, by JAMAL IGLE
Writer and artist Jamal Igle writes about how comics turned him into a liberal political junkie — in a very unexpected way:
CBLDF Defends Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere
We just received this from CBLDF: This week, CBLDF took a leadership role in a coalition of anti-censorship advocates — including the National Coalition Against Censorship, American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, the Association of American Publishers, and the American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom — to defend Neil Gaiman’s novel Neverwhere, which has been removed from shelves in Alamogordo High School pending review.
MIGHTY Q&A: Fred Hembeck
It’s always good to start the week with a laugh, so here’s a Mighty Q&A with legendary comics parodist Fred Hembeck! Enjoi:
HEY KIDS, COMICS! by Rob Kelly and Chris Ryall
Rob Kelly is a kindred spirit. He’s a writer and illustrator but he’s also a big, big comics fan with several blogs of his own. Last month, he published “Hey Kids, Comics!: True-Life Tales From The Spinner Rack,” a collection of essays from comics legends, TV and film writers, authors, and others telling their “comic book secret origins” and how comics were influential in their lives. (I’m telling you now, I better be in the sequel, Rob.) Anyway, Rob’s serializing the book here at 13th Dimension, starting today. Look for a new installment every other Friday! We kick things off with IDW’s Chris Ryall:
Painkiller artist Juan Santacruz Deserves Your Attention, by JIMMY PALMIOTTI
And now for something completely different: Writer interviews artist on a project they’re collaborating on. In this case it’s Jimmy Palmiotti talking to his underrated artist Juan Santacruz, the penciller on their upcoming Painkiller Jane: Price of Freedom limited series from Marvel’s Icon imprint. Why? Because even though they have a vested interest in each other’s work, they also understand the collaborative process intimately. And the creative process is something we’re really interested in here. So take a read and take it away, Jimmy:
NEAL ADAMS – EXTRA!: Adams ups the ante for his lost art — and Steve Niles
It’s Thursday, which means it’s Neal Adams Interviews day. I just posted the latest — but this just in: Adams is seeking help for Steve Niles, who was flooded out in Texas. Plus, he’s ready to donate $$ if he gets his lost art returned.
THE NEAL ADAMS INTERVIEWS: Batman’s Classic Sprint
Something a little different for this week’s Neal Adams Interviews: The artist discusses what just might be his most famous image of Batman:
Life Model Decoy, by DEAN HASPIEL and SEAN FRANCISCO YAU-SMITH
Dean Haspiel‘s a busy dude right now, what with his big project The Fox (with Mark Waid) due out in stores in two weeks. But he took time out to talk about superhero comics’ quest to be more realistic with an old buddy of his, Sean Francisco Yau-Smith. Dino wrote it up for us and it’s a funky read, so enjoy!
THE GOTHAM TRIBUNE: The Real Boy Wonder
Aw, hell, I’m just gonna throw this one out there: Burt Ward’s Robin the Boy Wonder is, upon great reflection and judgment, with all factors weighed, with pros and cons carefully calibrated, the Platonic ideal of the character.
Superman 75th Anniversary Animation Tribute
Bruce Timm producer (Batman: The Animated Series, Justice League) and director Zack Snyder (Man of Steel, Watchmen) teamed up to honor the long history of the superhero who started it all: Superman.
How I Fumbled the Ball, by MARK WAID
This is a column that we hope gives you a real sense of what we’re aiming to do at 13th Dimension. At our site, you’ll find pieces written by the creators themselves that aim to both enlighten and provoke. Today, we bring you a missive from industry superstar Mark Waid — and it’s a surprising mea culpa. Read on because it’s fascinating stuff. — Dan
Danny Hellman’s Art for CBGB’s Festival and Other NY Stories
Comics artist and illustrator Danny Hellman has been a fixture in the NY Press and other weeklies for decades. This week his art adorns the CBGB Festival banners and ads all over NYC.