Comic book treasures remain hidden inside Founder’s library- DeKalb Scene: Entertainment news from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois

DeKalb Scene: Entertainment news from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois

Comic book treasures remain hidden inside Founder’s library
By ORLANDO LARA

The fourth-floor of Founders Memorial Library houses the Rare Books and Special Collections department. Except for a couple of students each year, its treasure remains hidden.

The cluttered room is home to about 10,000 single-issue comic books and graphic novels that are owned by the library.

Though it began after a donation in the late 1970s, the library’s collection has only been actively built for the past three years, said curator Lynne Thomas.

“I believe it is very important to document our popular culture in addition to our ‘high culture,’” she said.

Head of the department since 2004, Thomas said comic books are a unique American art form that need to be preserved.

“When we decide to save something for posterity, we are creating a canon because we’re deciding what gets saved,” Thomas said. “If it doesn’t get saved, then it has much less of a chance of being studied in the future.”

Thomas said she wants the collection to become a mid-level repository for student research. Michigan and Ohio State Universities have two of the largest university comic book collections, each with more than 200,000 titles, according to their respective Web sites.

The collection of non-circulating material includes a wide range of comic books and graphic novels.

Though some date back to the 1930s, such as the pre-“Batman” “Black Bat”, Thomas said the collection is strongest in Marvel and DC comics published in the 1970s and after.

This includes all of the major titles, like “Batman,” “X-Men” and “Spider-Man,” but also less mainstream comics, like “Birds of Prey,” “100 Bullets” and “Preacher.”

She said the Vertigo line is also well-represented, as are numerous Alan Moore titles such as “Watchmen” and “Swamp Thing.” The collection also includes nearly every issue of Neil Gaiman’s World Fantasy Award winning “Sandman” series.

Thomas said the collection has less Golden and Silver Age comics because their significant market value encourages owners to sell rather than donate them.

The collection also includes some self-published comics, such as Terry Moore’s “Strangers In Paradise.”

“It’s a comprehensive collection of what’s out there now,” Thomas said.

Rick Berg, manager of Graham Crackers Comics, 901C Lucinda Ave., said the more exposure college students have to comic books the better it will be for the business.

He said the library has a good collection and would like to see it expand.

Senior English major Gerardo Torres said he was surprised the library had a comic collection at all.

“I didn’t think it was something they would bother getting,” he said. “I thought they only focused on academic material.”

Currently, a portion of the collection is uncataloged, meaning they are organized by title and date, and are not yet in the library’s online catalog.

Though it is a priority, Thomas said it will take years before the entire collection is cataloged, due to the sheer volume of issues.

“It will be [cataloged] eventually; I am confident of that,” said Thomas. “It’s just going to take a while.”

She encourages everyone to use the collection, whether it be for research or not. She just asks people to have a particular title or series in mind.

Thomas said special collections are dependent on the curator, and she wants the library’s comic book collection to grow.

“My interest in comics and belief that they are an important art form that needs to be documented isn’t going to waver,” she said.

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Comic Book Writers Without the Comics – Bookgasm: Reading Material to Get Excited About » Blog Archive » CAPES, COWLS & COSTUMES >>

Bookgasm: Reading Material to Get Excited About » Blog Archive » CAPES, COWLS & COSTUMES >> Comic Book Writers Without the Comics

Here is a very interesting article from Paul Kupperberg about comic book writers that have gone into writing novels.? Read the rest of the article at the link above.

CAPES, COWLS & COSTUMES >> Comic Book Writers Without the Comics
Author: Paul Kupperberg

Books with no pictures in them? What would comic book writers know about those? More than you might think, at least in the last quarter century or so. Sure, there’s always been the occasional comic book writer who broke out of the funny book ghetto and made the move to writing prose (Mickey Spillane, William Woolfolk, Gardner Fox, Alvin Schwartz, to name a few), but for the most part, comic book writers stuck with the medium what brung ‘em. If they did write prose, it was likely to be a novelization or adaptation of some comic book or other media property.

These days, those boundaries have pretty much disappeared. Successful novelists such as Greg Rucka, Brad Meltzer and Jodi Picoult routinely make the switch between prose and comics. And comic book writers such as Neil Gaiman and Warren Ellis are doing work that gets them shelved in the literature section instead of graphic novels or science fiction. With the advent of respectability for the art form (THE NEW YORK TIMES says we’re art, so there!), comic book writers are finally being taken seriously as writers.

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Upcoming Events – Scoop – Where the Magic of Collecting Comes Alive!

Scoop – Where the Magic of Collecting Comes Alive! – Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

Levar Burton has just signed on to appear at the Manitoba Comic Con!

Small Portrait Jumeau Bebe available at Morphy Auctions, lot #200.

Morena Baccarin is a guest at F.A.C.T.S. 2008.

Tim Russ, Tuvok from Star Trek: Voyager, will be a special guest at the Tri-City Comic-Con.

Data from Star Trek: The Next Generation, Bret Spiner will be a special guest at the LA Comic Book and Sci-Fi Convention!

October 10

* Manitoba Comic Con & Sci-Fi Expo starts today!
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

http://manitobacomiccon.com

* Sandy Rosnick Collection Auction
Showtime Auction Services
Ann Arbor, Michigan

http://showtimeauctions.com

* Morphy Auctions’ Doll Auction
Denver, Pennsylvania
www.morphyauctions.com

October 11

* Manitoba Comic Con & Sci-Fi Expo continues
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

http://manitobacomiccon.com

* F.A.C.T.S.
Gent, Belgium
www.facts-convention.com/fa_index.html
* Black Age XI
Chicago, Illinois
www.dablackage.blogspot.com
* Sandy Rosnick Collection Auction
Showtime Auction Services
Ann Arbor, Michigan

http://showtimeauctions.com

* St. Louis Comic Book Convention
Chesterfield, Missouri
www.epguides.com/comics/
* Portland Hobby Fair
Portland, Oregon
www.portlandhobbyfair.com
* Morphy Auctions’ Doll Auction
Denver, Pennsylvania
www.morphyauctions.com
* Tri County Comic Con—today only!
West Palm Beach, Florida

http://tricountycomiccon.com

* Tri-City Comic Con
Pasco, Washington
www.thetc3.org

October 12

* Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Ficiton Convention
Los Angeles, California
www.comicbookscifi.com
* Manitoba Comic Con & Sci-Fi Expo’s last day!
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

http://manitobacomiccon.com

* The Maine Comic Book Show
Portland, Maine
www.epguides.com/comics
* F.A.C.T.S.
Gent, Belgium
www.facts-convention.com/fa_index.html
* Black Age XI
Chicago, Illinois
www.dablackage.blogspot.com
* Sandy Rosnick Collection Auction
Showtime Auction Services
Ann Arbor, Michigan

http://showtimeauctions.com

* Charlotte Comicon
Charlotte, North Carolina
www.charlottecomicon.com
* Hayward Comic-Con
Hayward, California
www.super-con.com/hayward.shtml
* Capitol Associates Comic Book, Toy & Card Show
Dunn Loring, Virginia
www.capicons.com
* Clifton Comic Book Expo
Clifton, New Jersey
www.njcomicbookshows.com
* Fort Wayne Comic & Sci-Fi Convention
Fort Wayne, Indiana
www.harpercomics.com
* Buffalo Comicon
Amherst, New York
www.queencitycomic.com

October 16

* Heritage Auctions’ Rare Books Auction
Dallas, Texas
www.ha.com

Halloween comes early as Jacko’s wacko clan descends on LA comic store | Mail Online

Halloween comes early as Jacko’s wacko clan descends on LA comic store | Mail Online

Halloween comes early as Jacko’s wacko clan descends on LA comic store

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 1:54 PM on 09th October 2008

Not for the first time, Michael Jackson sent jaws dropping during a outing in Los Angeles.

The singer took his three children – Prince Michael, 11, Paris, ten, and Prince Michael II, six – shopping this week dressed as masked Halloween characters.

And never one to be left out, Jackson looked scarier than ever in a surgical mask, giant black sunglasses and a hooded jumper.

The family, who are rarely seen in public, browsed a comic book store together after slipping in through a back door.
Jackson

Off the wall: Michael Jackson and ten-year-old Paris arrive at an LA comic store wearing masks

When Jackson turned 50 in August he said he likes nothing more than spending time with his children.

‘I’m raising my children and enjoying it and teaching them to ride bicycles and how to read. I love it.’

The former child star also said his kids are enjoying freedom he never had at their age.

Michael

Trick, treat, terrifying prank? A shop assistant was left in a state of confusion as the family descended on the store

‘I let them go to the arcade and go to the movies and do things.

‘I want them to get to do the kind of things I didn’t get to do,’ he added.

The children removed their masked once inside the store, giving onlookers a rare glimpse at their faces.

Prince Michael wore cream shorts, white trainers and a black hooded jacket on the outing while sister Paris wore a red jumper, shirt and black trousers.

Halloween

Jacksons unmasked: Onlookers were given a rare glimpse at Jackson’s children Paris, Prince Michael and little Prince Michael II (far left)

Their mother is Debbie Rowe, the 49-year-old nurse who Jackson married in 1997 but divorced in 1999.

She worked for the Beverly Hills plastic surgeon that Jackson used for his face-altering surgeries and was recently involved in a legal fight with the singer over child custody.

Jackson’s third child Prince Michael II, pictured with long black hair, green pyjamas and a dark coat, was born to a surrogate mother.
Golden Apple Comic Store

Family day out: The Jacksons visited the Golden Apple comic store in LA

[Press] IDW presents Fishtown, true life crime tale

IDW presents Kevin Colden’s award-winning true-life crime tale, Fishtown, in deluxe hardcover format

“A fresh version of an old true crime pulp novel.”

-Philadelphia Weekly

“Stark and chilling”

-Comicon.com

(San Diego, October 8, 2008) In 2003, the city of Philadelphia was shocked
by an act of violence so brutal it almost defies description. The ensuing
trial and intense media scrutiny unearthed the story of the murder of
16-year-old boy who was led into an empty lot in the city’s Fishtown section
by his girlfriend and beaten to death by three boys he knew-one of them his
best friend.

In IDW Publishing’s upcoming, fact-based, fictional hardcover graphic novel
Fishtown, author and Philadelphia native Kevin Colden examines the motives
of the murderers through loosely-based characters, imagined conversations
and confessions directly aimed at the reader.

Inspired in 2005 by newspaper articles, television coverage, and snippets of
trial testimony, Colden originally intended to create a more fact-based
account of the story, but hit a roadblock due to inaccessible trial
transcripts and ongoing litigation. Says the author, “At that point, I began
to think about the reaction the public was having to the story and wrote the
events how I imagined they occurred. When I finished the script I realized I
had hit on a deeper emotional truth than the facts alone could have shown.”

In March 2007, the first chapter of Fishtown was awarded a self-publishing
grant from the Xeric Foundation which Colden declined in order to publish
the piece as a weekly webcomic at www.ACT-I-VATE. com, a web-based collective
of established and up-and-coming cartoonists. “I mistakenly put Fishtown
online before hearing from the Xeric committee. It turned out there was a
conflict with their policy regarding simultaneous web and print release, so
I chose to decline the grant money and take my chances with the limitless
potential of the web.” The Xeric Foundation remained supportive of Fishtown,
and in 2008, partly as a result of Colden’s decision, reversed their policy
and now support concurrent web serialization for grant recipients.

Fishtown presents a chilling portrait of teenage angst gone horribly wrong
by threading fact with fiction, reality with fantasy, and weaving a tapestry
of connected vignettes that add up to a devastating treatise on the human
condition. In its yearlong run at ACT-I-VATE, it garnered near universal
praise for its confrontational and unflinching dramatization of the events
leading seemingly average kids to turn into vicious killers.

Fishtown, a 120-page hardcover-with- dustjacket (ISBN 1-60010-273- 8, Diamond
order code SEP08 4143) will be in stores on November 12.

About IDW:
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade
paperbacks, based in San Diego, Calif. As a leader in the horror, action,
and sci-fi genres, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular
titles in the industry including: television’s #1 prime time series CBS’
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation; Paramount’s Star Trek; Fox’s Angel; Hasbro’s
The Transformers, and the BBC’s Doctor Who. IDW’s original horror series, 30
Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by
Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. In April
2008, IDW released Michael Recycle, the first title from its new children’s
book imprint, Worthwhile Books. More information about the company can be
found at http://www.idwpubli shing.com.

About Kevin Colden:

Kevin Colden is the author and artist of numerous graphic short stories and
novellas including Strangle/Switch at ZudaComics.com, Todt Hill at The
Chemistry Set (with writer Neil Kleid), and RED (with writer Elizabeth
Genco). His work has appeared in anthologies from Alternative Comics,
Desperado Publishing, and SMITH Magazine, and is on display in the permanent
collection at MoCCA. He lives in New York City.

[Press] MARVEL ANIMATION EXPANDS SLATE WITH PRODUCTION OF ALL NEW ANIMATED SERIES– THE AVENGERS: EARTH’S MIGHTIEST HEROES

MARVEL ANIMATION EXPANDS SLATE WITH PRODUCTION OF ALL NEW ANIMATED SERIES

THE AVENGERS: EARTH’S MIGHTIEST HEROES

New York, New York – October 8th, 2008 – Further strengthening its robust animation slate, Marvel Animation, a division of Marvel Entertainment, announced today the production of an all new animated
series, THE AVENGERS: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Production on 26 half-hour episodes is already underway using the production services of Film Roman, producer of the Simpsons and King of the Hill.

The new series, expected to be available for broadcast in 2011, continues on Marvel’s already impressive television line-up which includes the all-new Wolverine and the X-Men and Iron Man: Armored
Adventures series that will both debut on Nicktoons in 2009. Marvel Animation will also debut the all-new series Marvel Super Hero Squad and The Black Panther next year.

THE AVENGERS: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes is an all-new property featuring some of Marvel’s all-time favorite characters including Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, Thor, Giant Man and Wasp. When the planet isthreatened by Super Villains, time traveling conquerors, alien invaders, mythical monsters and mad robots bent on the total destruction of humanity, when forces of evil are so overwhelming that no single hero
has the power to save the world, when there is no hope left…the Avengers assemble!

The Avengers are the best of the best in the Marvel Universe and the greatest heroes who take on the most unbeatable foes. These are the heroes who hold back the storm, and the fate of the world rests on their
shoulders.

“The addition of THE AVENGERS: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes to our quickly expanding animation slate continues our plan to complement each of our tentpole live action features with an animated series,” said Eric
Rollman, President of Animation. “This new ensemble series tracks perfectly with our highly anticipated ‘road to the Avengers’ strategy which includes some of Marvel’s biggest and most beloved characters, and which kicks off with two Avengers’ themed feature films in summer 2011.”

My friends, McCain is completely full of shit

I am sitting here watching the debate, and McCain continues to attack Obama but barely ever states what his “plan” is about anything.? How can I even tell if I am for the guy if I can’t find out what he is actually for?

Also, McCain’s complete disregard for the rules of the time limits that both campaigns agreed on just shows how he would handle himself if he was president.? Just like Bush has, with completely disregard to any rules.

Now McCain says that he knows how to get Bin Landen, then why the hell doesn’t he speak up and get it done?

I just can’t trust this guy.

[PRESS] DDP to Distribute Two Issues of ‘Hack/Slash’ Outside of Diamond

*DDP TO DISTRIBUTE TWO ISSUES OF ‘HACK/SLASH’ OUTSIDE OF DIAMOND*

Publisher stands behind creator-owned horror series amid licensing dispute and will distribute ‘Hack/Slash’ #’s 16-17 outside of Diamond

*Chicago, IL. (October 5, 2008) –* In a show of support for its top-selling creator-owned title, Devil’s Due Publishing will distribute the previously solicited *Hack/Slash *issues 16 and 17 directly, rather than through Diamond Comic Distributors. The decision follows Diamond’s receipt of a Cease and Desist letter regarding the issues from an unknown, recently registered company, Re-Animator, LLC, in connection with Dynamite Entertainment’s Nick Barrucci. *Hack/Slash* #15 will be available for re-order as well.

A property dispute has arisen between Brian Yuzna (the producer and owner of the Re-Animator film franchise for over twenty years) and a recently registered company, Re-Animator LLC over the rights to the Re-Animator logo in various merchandise categories, which appears in the current Hack/Slash story arc, “Cassie & Vlad Meet the Re-Animator.”

“Devil’s Due have done a fantastic job of keeping the spirit of the Re-Animator films alive in the *Hack/Slash* cross-over,” says Yuzna “It has been a pleasure to collaborate with such a talented crew. And I am proud to be working with them after the admirable stand they have taken in the face of economic coercion. This company exemplifies the independent spirit of the genre film and comics community. It may seem crazy to Re-Animator fans to think that a company that had nothing to do with the classic films could actually claim ownership of the “Re-Animator” brand and threaten to stop anyone else from creating comics, films or merchandise with the word ‘reanimator’ or ‘re-animator’ in it- even the actual producer of the films that created the brand—but in this wacky world that is exactly what has happened.”

The decision to distribute the issues outside of Diamond was not easily made. “We deliberated internally long and hard,” says DDP President Josh Blaylock, “But this was in good conscience not something I felt we could roll over and just accept. I’ve reviewed the facts, spoken to copyright, corporate and entertainment attorneys, and resolved that this, in my own personal opinion, is a ridiculous bully tactic that only hurts Tim [Seeley] and all of the creators who work so hard to make *Hack/Slash* the great book that it is and abuses the Diamond policy of staying out of legal issues.”

“Unfortunately, a dispute over the publishing rights in regards to the Re-Animator characters has arisen between DDP and Re-Animator LLC, and we have been advised by Diamond’s attorney’s to not distribute issues #16 and

#17 of the series *Hack/Slash*, plus process any additional reorders for #15 as well. It is our understanding that DDP will be self distributing the issues previously mentioned, and beginning with *Hack/Slack* #18, will once again be distributed by Diamond,” said Bill Schanes, Vice President of Purchasing for Diamond.

The situation comes during a banner year for *Hack/Slash*, which has included a sell-out of the series’ first Omnibus collection, the addition of screenwriter Justin Marks to the *Hack/Slash* film in development at Rogue pictures with director Todd Lincoln, and a nomination in the category of “Best Comic Book” for the 2008 Spike TV Scream Awards. Fans can still vote for *Hack/Slash* on Spike TV’s website:

http://www.spike.com/event/scream/page/vote/category/28725

“It’s been a really great year for *Hack/Slash *with the SG Annual, the sold out Omnibus, a Spike TV Scream Awards nomination, and gaining lots of new readers and such,” said writer and creator Tim Seeley. “I just want to do the right thing and with your support and understanding, we’ll do everything in our power to get this book out there and things will be back to normal in no time. Thank you, readers and retailers!”

To order *Hack/Slash*, retailers should visit DevilsDue.net where two levels of discounts are available ranging from 50-60% off the cover price. These offers will only apply to *Hack/Slash *#’s 15-17 for a limited time. *

Hack/Slash* orders can be placed through the DDP Store by going to:

http://tinyurl.com/hackslash

Geekvestment: Comic Books Are the New Stock Market

Geekvestment: Comic Books Are the New Stock Market

Comic Books Are the New Stock Market

Where should you put your money in these uncertain financial times? Once-prudent investments in housing and the stock market no longer provide safe financial refuge for your hard-earned dollars. But some suggest that, when searching for a stable place to invest your money, you need look no further than your comic book collection.

Some investors are selling off their stock and buying up vintage comic books, believing that the timelessness of comics offers a more secure long-term investment than stocks have of late:

Mark Craddock, manager of Comic Book World, in Florence, Ky., says stock-market investors also are turning to superheroes. “There’s kind of a buying frenzy” in vintage comic books, he says.

The “Silver Age Comic Book Pricing Index” of 32 frequently traded ’60s comics, was up 14.2% in the 18 months ending in July, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index was down 11% in the same period. Mark Haspel, president of Certified Guaranty Co. in Sarasota, Fla., which grades comic books, often for investors, says it’s on track to handle 200,000 books this year, up from 150,000 in 2007.

“Spider-Man is going to be here in 20 years — he’s not going away,” Mr. Haspel says.

This isn’t the first time comics have been suggested as a wise investment. Last year, Kevin Hassett, director of economic policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute noted that the returns on comic books beat out those of most other collectibles, including art and antiques.

When Stocks Tank, Some Investors Stampede to Alpacas and Turn to Drink [Wall Street Journal] (Via)

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Fantastic Four as your 401(k) | Hero Complex | Los Angeles Times

Fantastic Four as your 401(k) | Hero Complex | Los Angeles Times

Fantastic Four as your 401(k)
02:20 PM PT, Oct 3 2008

Every month when the warehouse storage bill comes, I tell my wife that all those boxes of old comic books I’m keeping should be thought of as a great investment. And right on cue, she rolls her eyes and reminds me that all those boxes aren’t worth anything unless I sell them.

Harrumph.

Well, now the Wall Street Journal, that bastion of investment culture, says I was actually ahead of the market curve all those years ago when I sealed my gorgeous copy of “Fantasic Four” No. 48 up inside a Mylar bag:

Mark Craddock, manager of Comic Book World, in Florence, Ky., says stock-market investors also are turning to superheroes. “There’s kind of a buying frenzy” in vintage comic books, he says.

The “Silver Age Comic Book Pricing Index” of 32 frequently traded ’60s comics, was up 14.2% in the 18 months ending in July, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index was down 11% in the same period. Mark Haspel, president of Certified Guaranty Co. in Sarasota, Fla., which grades comic books, often for investors, says it’s on track to handle 200,000 books this year, up from 150,000 in 2007.

“Spiderman is going to be here in 20 years — he’s not going away,” Mr. Haspel says.

That’s an excerpt from an article by Jennifer Levitz on all the quirky investments that are gaining traction amid these bruising seasons on Wall Street. All of you deep-pocket corporations looking for a place to put your money, I have a full run of “West Coast Avengers” taking up waaaay too much space, it’s yours if the money is right.

– Geoff Boucher

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