Good morning or possibly afternoon! It’s me again, back for the second time this month, you lucky things. This was a strange week because everything that happened was sort of overshadowed by SDCC news and exclusives but I’m mostly going to ignore that because you already know that Robert Downey Jr is going to be Doctor Doom and you can think about how weird that is on your own time.
Lots of awards nominations, and finalists, and winners were announced this week, which is nice. First up the Ignyte Awards committee has announced the finalists for the 2024 Ignyte Awards. The Ignytes seek to celebrate the contributions and experiences of BIPOC creators and highlight the vibrancy and diversity of the current and future landscape of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror by recognizing incredible feats in storytelling and outstanding efforts towards inclusivity within the genre. Public voting is open now and winners will be announced on November 6th. Voting has also opened for the Ringo Awards. The Ringo awards were conceived as an industry award that can be voted on by professionals and fans alike. Winners will be announced on September 21st at Baltimore Comic-Con. And I know I said I wouldn’t talk about SDCC but this weekend the winners of the 2024 Eisner awards have been revealed. Choices were made, some of them good, some of them less so, but what can you do?
Interesting news for fans of Korean comics and webtoons, Webcomic platform Tapas and comics culture website The Beat have announced a new partnership – K-Comics Beat. Described as a sister site to The Beat, K-comics Beat will focus its coverage on Korean comics, webcomics, and vertical scrolling comics. The site should be launching in a few weeks but in the meantime you can sign up for updates on their website.
Following the arrest of satirical cartoonist Ashraf Omar in Egypt, journalist advocacy organisations and human rights groups have called for his release. Omar published several comics criticising government policy and is an active member of Egypt’s Revolutionary Socialists. Omar was taken from his home during the night and there is little clarity as to where he is being detained and what charges are being brought against him. Requests have been made to Egypt’s Prosecutor General to release a state regarding Omar’s current status.
Finally, this week comic book writer Gerry Duggan shared on his Substack that his only sibling Claire has passed away. If you are inclined, Duggan has requested donations to help create a trust for her children. Furthermore, if you knew Claire and have any photographs that she shot for you, Duggan would love to see them.
That’s all for this week. Take care friends and I’ll see you when I see you.
