It’s another Monday and here I am with some comics industry news.
To the Moon
Three more small press publishers have signed on with Lunar Distribution. Silver Sprocket, Uncivilized Books, and Floating World join Scout, Ahoy, Z2, and DC Comics. Representatives from some of those publishers joined Lunar Distribution’s co-owner Christina Merkler in a roundtable at The Comics Journal to discuss the distribution changes that are reshaping the industry.
Golgo 13 Lives On
Golgo 13 creator Taiko Saito passed away on September 24 of pancreatic cancer at the age of 84, but, per his wishes, his award-winning manga will continue on through Saito Production.
訃報
劇画家のさいとう・たかをが、2021年9月24日午前10時42分、膵臓がんのために永眠いたしました。84歳でした。なお葬儀は、新型コロナウイルス感染症の状況を鑑み、親族のみで執り行いました。これまでご愛読、応援いただいた読者の皆様、お世話になりました関係者の皆様に深く感謝申し上げます。 pic.twitter.com/tNC3bpQTiF
— さいとう・プロダクション (@saitoproduction) September 29, 2021
That Disney Dragon
Disney might have settled up with Scarlett Johansson over Black Widow’s theatrical versus streaming distribution and her points, but the giant corporation is still busy exercising its vaunted powers to take advantage of as many people as it can in order to hoard its wealth and IPs like a dragon with its gold.
In the past several months, heirs of the estates of Marvel creators such as Steve Ditko have sent notices to the U.S. Copyright Office terminating Marvel’s licensing for characters such as Black Widow, Dr. Strange, Iron Man. Arguing that these were for-hire creations, Marvel is suing to keep the licenses in advance of the 2023 expiration dates. Because this is what you do when you are part of a giant corporation that can eat creators for breakfast.
Quick Hits
- Freddye Miller has been promoted to managing editor at Dark Horse Comics.
- Looking to invest in the comic book industry? Yahoo Finance has some advice for you.
- Andy Serkis is co-creating a comic with Andrew Levitas called Eternus.
And a Happy 35th Anniversary to Dark Horse Comics!
Happy 35th, @DarkHorseComics! Discover all the gems of Dark Horse's past, their soon-to-be classic of the present, and their must-haves coming soon to comic shops! Jump over to PREVIEWSworld Pullbox for more: https://t.co/N7qHiXGNkI pic.twitter.com/Srj6gqCvcZ
— PREVIEWSworld (@PREVIEWSworld) September 29, 2021
