For their 20th anniversary, ThinkGeek surprised its customers and fans with a disheartening announcement: thinkgeek.com was closing. Fans were confused and concerned about losing access to a favourite geek merchandiser, but after checking out their booth at at the recent San Diego Comic-Con, I can confirm that the brand that refers to itself as “the…
He Yams What He Yam: Discovering Popeye Through Popeye Otaku
There is nothing more convincing than conviction. Who has it? Fans have it. I want to introduce you to a fan I know—a fan whose pure enthusiasm’s already had me buying three separate, rather large books. His name is Troy, but he goes by Popeye Otaku. He loves Popeye. On twitter he lives Popeye, using…
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.
Hire This Hero: Whither Wander’d Wolverine?
Have you ever wished a certain superhero was on hand to help with a very specific task that they were perfectly suited for, only to have that hero be unavailable? Well, you’re in luck! Welcome to the first installment of HIRE THIS HERO, where we here at WWAC scour superhero employment records to find you…
Hipster Manga: Angel Heart
Although it’s only half the name of the series, “heart” is literally at the center of the long-running manga Angel Heart by Tsukasa Hojo. (Literally-literally, not figuratively-literally.) It’s both a story of a transplanted heart and the code name of a young assassin aptly named Glass Heart. After a particularly gut-wrenching kill, Glass Heart decides…
Get Ready for a Silver Sprocket Takeover
Silver Sprocket is a comic book publisher like no other: they’re a collective of artists and friends who create radical books alongside zines, music, and art. You might have heard of some of their most well known books, such as Ben Passmore’s radical look at microaggressions Your Black Friend and Michael Sweater’s much-shared webcomic Please…
Valiant’s Secret Weapons are Sensible Shortcuts and Condensed Character
Secret Weapons #0: Nikki’s Story does something very cute with its panelling. I’ve been saying this since the previews: it’s doing something very cute. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be something worthwhile or just a natty little gimmick.
A Good Roundtable on The Good War
“The Good War” is a comic collaboration between cartoonist Mike Dawson and MSNBC anchor and author Chris Hayes, examining how WWII nostalgia played a part in post-9/11 pop culture and political messaging. Published on The Nib, “The Good War” adapts Chris Hayes’ piece “The Good War on Terror,” published by In These Times in 2006…
Previously On Comics: Canon, Stan, and Protecting the Innocent
Good morning! Did you know Gambit nearly came out as bisexual? It was one of James Asmus’ ideas for his Gambit solo book in 2012. Marvel editorial nixed the idea, though, because it would have “redefined the character.” Subtext? What subtext? My curse to always and forever write about harassment in the news continues, as…
Grey Area: This Island Earth and Aliens in America
Grey Area: This Island Earth Dan Abnett (Writer), Karl Richardson, Lee Carter, Patrick Goddard (Artists), Len O’Grady, Abigail Bulmer (Colourists), Ellie De Ville (Letterer) 2000 AD 11 January 2018 Grey Area started in 2000 AD, after a pilot episode during Prog 2012. It has featured on and off since then, and focuses upon the Exo…
The 9 Weirdest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Action Figures
The ’80s were a wild time for cartoons. Driven by toy sales and draconian advertising laws that restricted toy adverts aimed at kids, this wild west mentality led to some of the best and most beloved kids’ Saturday morning classics like Transformers, G.I. Joe, He-Man, and on the tail end of all of that was…
Keeping the “Comics” in Comic Con for 2018
In 2017, I attended 11 conventions. As you might expect, I love conventions! I attend all types of them – comic cons, pop culture conventions, gaming conventions, and fan-run conventions. I’m involved in all different aspects of cons, too — I’ve been as a writer, as a panelist, as a volunteer, as program staff, and…
