Curious about webcomics and where to start? Get insight from those on the ground floor. Now a significant focal point in terms of queer comics and readership, webcomics have flourished over the last few years as a diverse community. Interested in creators’ perspectives, our intrepid reporter interviewed several at Flame Con 2017, Brooklyn’s annual LGBTQ…
Photo Comics or Not? Room For Ourselves in A Softer World
Editor’s note: I ran a poll on photo comics to see if I was the only one with a strangely firm prejudice against them—I wasn’t! Some really interesting discussion followed and as it developed I asked cartoonist Meredith Park to share her feelings in a longer form, here, on WWAC. Voila! Strong, personally held opinions:…
Stormwatch: A Big Bag of Knockoffs
The early ’90s were a hell of a time in comics. Superman died, the X-Men were everywhere, and even garbage would sell literally millions of copies. (For comparison, the best-selling titles in 2017 were lucky to break 100k copies.) Eight of Marvel’s most popular young creators left and formed their own brand so that they…
Women Making Comics: Jennifer Johnson on Creativity, Crafting Representation and Her Very First Comic (EXCLUSIVE)
When Black Mask Studios released Kwanza Osajyefo, Tim Smith 3, Jamal Igle, and Khary Randolph’s Black, they unleashed a political comics force on the often homogeneous landscape of our local comic shop. The book imagined a world where only Black people have superpowers, introducing a network of corrupt officials and shady government agents desperate to…
Nothing You Can Say Can Tear Me Away From My Guy: Semi-Radical Romance Comics
There’s nothing like a good bit of media to bring to mind a good bit of criticism—to deepen it, to clarify. There’s nothing like freedom to remind you of discipline—how it works, which parts help you grow, which parts curtail. I read a lot of comics made for mean slutty girls, and I had to…
Recovering Things Forgotten With Ivy Noelle Weir and Steenz
Archival Quality Ivy Noelle Weir (writer), Steenz (artist) Oni Press March 2018 Archival Quality is a story with surprising depth and nuance. The premise of the story, that of a twenty-something who begins working at a haunted library, was enough to get me to read it. In addition to the premise, I wanted to read…
Star Wars Adventures: Forces of Destiny – Rey: The Making of a Hero
Star Wars Adventures: Forces of Destiny #2 – Rey Jody Houser (Writer), Arianna Florean (Artist), Adele Matera (Colours), Tom B. Long (Letters) IDW Publishing 10 January, 2018 Star Wars: The Last Jedi may have divided fans, but one thing is for sure: protagonist Rey is definitely a hero of our times. When we first met…
BOOM! Bar: 2018 in Licences Vs Creator-Owned Comics
A short week to ease us back in! Yes, friends, foes, readers—it’s been a while. I took a Christmas break that became a year-start break. I feel much better. I’m ready. I’m prepared. Let’s begin. The last week of January sees BOOM! birth six releases: three single issues, two softcover collections, and one hardcover. Of…
Nicole J Georges’ Fetch: It’s Kind of Like Feminism, But for Dogs
An essay on Nicole J. Georges, a prolific zinester and graphic novelist who writes, draws and sings her love for animals, humans and vegan food.
Previously on Comics: Cultural Change
The Prism Comics Queer Press Grant submissions period remains open until the last day of February (that’s the 28th . . . just in case). Get yourself two thousand dollars and some PR help—it’s worth a punt. Further details are at the link: go! Kelly Thompson has been secured by an exclusive agreement with Marvel, hiking…
Ghostbusters – Answer the Call: The Ladies Are Back
Ghostbusters – Answer the Call #2 Kelly Thompson (Writer), Corin Howell (Artist), Valentina Pinto (Colours), Neil Uyetake (Letters) IDW Publishing 3 January, 2018 You know you are in for a good story when it opens with “Everything is awful.” And everything really is awful for the Ghostbusters at the moment. Having unknowingly unleashed the Schreckgespenst,…
Incognegro: Renaissance #1 Is A Timely Prequel
Incognegro: Renaissance #1 Mat Johnson (Writer), Warren Pleece (Artist), Clem Robins (Letterer) Dark Horse Comics 7 February, 2018 2018 celebrates the 10th anniversary of the original Incognegro graphic novel, the hard-hitting story about an African-American journalist who uses his light complexion to go incognito among white people and uncover the truth behind the murders of…