The Batman Saves Len Wein, and other stories
Len Wein writes that, had it not been for him blogging the terrific news about how the National Parks Service has added the cover of Batman: Nevermore to the permanent collection at the Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site in Philadelphia, he might have left the house an hour earlier and become embroiled in a bank robbery. Notes Len, "The Batman saved my life… again."
Ran into Alex Simmons at the local diner last week, who reminded me that the next Kids’ Comic Con will take place at the Bronx Community College on Saturday, March 29. Ah, if only that wasn’t the date of my godson’s bar mitzvah! But no such excuses for the rest of you, particularly as the event will feature the announcement of the finalists in the first-ever KCC Comics Awards! The deadline for nominations is Valentine’s Day; check out this page for all the categories and to get a nominations form. The winners will be announced at this year’s New York Comic Con on Kids’ Day, April 20. And just as a reminder, Alex is also spearheading the Color of Comics exhibit at BCC, opening February 6 and running through mid-March.
For those het gals and gay guys looking for a little more parity in their superheroic objectification, it’s Shirtless Superheroes to the rescue! Although anyone who’s been to the beach can tell you shirtless men and near-topless women aren’t technically equivalent, it’s still something of a sight for sore eyes. Although so many six-pack abs in one place does start to look a bit creepy.
Speaking of deadlines and things of interest to female fans, Ginger Mayerson is pleased to announce the first issue of the Journal of Women On Comics, a print compilation of women writing on comics online. Deadline is February 29, gals!
The New York Times is running a Persepolis slide show narrated by the film’s directors, Vincent Paronnaud and creator/graphic novelist Marjane Satrapi. Pretty cool to hear her voice in English!
Marc Mason informs us that Comics Waiting Room has now changed its format and become a biweekly web magazine! Good luck, Marc & co.!
Lastly, I’m trying not to be too bummed that the new Gawker-produced group blog io9 ("Strong out on science fiction") is everything I aspire to news-blogging-wise. I’m just enjoying the heck out of it, and am thrilled it’s being so expertly run by gal geeks Annalee Newitz and Charlie Jane Anders. (Long-time comics blogger Graeme McMillan is also part of the team!) Definitely worth checking out!
Thanks, Elayne! Ginger