Kindle a threat to comics?
Sort of a misleadingly titled video from Ad Age asks whether Kindle and iPod devices are a threat to traditional comics publishing. Short answer: Sort of, yes, if the companies can’t find a way to encourage readers to pay for digital content. Not touched on in this video is where the direct market of comic-book specialty shops go under this scenario, or, if they go away entirely. I tend to think the world is a cooler place with comic shops than without, and I hope enough people feel the same way to keep that marketplace viable well into the future.
– Matt Price
Amazon announces Kindle 2
Amazon has announced the second version of its Kindle device, an e-book reader with access more than 230,000 books.
The new version is only 10.2 ounces and only 1/3 of an inch thick. It seems like an improvement over the original Kindle, though its lack of color makes it still an unlikely format for comic books. (Some black and white comics and graphic novels have been adapted to the Kindle.) Still, it seems another positive move forward in the development of a light, handy e-reader.
The Kindle 2 will be released Feb. 24.
– Matt Price
Wolfman joins DC Universe Online project
Comic-book and animation writer Marv Wolfman has joined the creative team behind Sony Online Entertainment’s “DC Universe Online.” The massively multiplayer online role-playing game is set in the DC Comics universe of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman.
Wolfman joins writer Geoff Johns (”Green Lantern”) and artist Jim Lee (”Batman: Hush”) as part of the high-caliber creative team for this project.
“Getting Marv on board with DC Universe Online shows just how passionate and determined we are about making sure this franchise delivers for both video game players and comic book fans alike,” said John Smedley, president of SOE, in a release. ”This is a true collaboration between the top talent at DC and SOE, and I believe the result of this creative alliance will be one of the most exciting, memorable online game experiences to date.”
Wolfman is the writer of “Crisis on Infinite Earths” and the creator of Bullseye and Blade. He’s also known for his run as the writer of “New Teen Titans.”
Full release after the break.
– Matt Price
View “The Prisoner” online
AMC TV has launched a site dedicated to the 1967 series “The Prisoner,” and all 17 episodes can be viewed for free online.
AMC describes the show as follows:
A secret agent resigns, is abducted and then awakens in a strange town known simply as The Village. He’s been assigned a new name — No. 6. The man-in-charge of the place seems to be someone called No. 2. Why No. 6 has been brought to The Village is never made clear — except for No. 2’s vague demand for “information.” Which side No. 2 represents is also unclear, especially since the person holding the position is constantly changing. And who and where exactly is the omnipotent No. 1?
“Black Terror” online comics available at Nedor.net
A recent e-mail alerted me to the existence of Nedor.net, which contains downloads of 14 public domain comics featuring the Black Terror, with more to come. The Black Terror has been featured in comics from Dynamite, AC and DC Comics.
– Matt Price
Comixology coming to iPhone
The online site comiXology is adding its functionality to the iPhone. Here’s the release:
comiXology + iPhone…Wednesdays just got better.
comiXology today announced that its native iPhone application will be
on sale from the iTunes App Store Friday, December 5th. It will sell
for $1 off, at $3.99, for the first week only.
See a video preview at http://comixology.com/iphoneapp
Never again wonder which comics are coming out! comiXology provides you
all the shipping information and artwork for comics and merchandise,
including covers, creator and story info — and many preview pages! You
can even save what you want to buy and review the list later.
Browse all shipping comics (Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Image, IDW, and all
the other independents – comiXology.com has the most complete listings
on the web) review descriptions and covers for this week, last week and
next week preview pages from many comics each week “Pull” comic books
(free comiXology.com account required) read comiXology’s insightful
articles, listen to comiXology’s weekly interview podcast, It Came Out
on Wednesday, discover new comics by checking out comics pulled by other
people, keep comic listings, covers and your pull list on your iPhone,
even without a network connection.
“I’m thrilled to release this iPhone application to the public,” said
Iconology CEO David Steinberger. “I knew when I got my hands on the
iPhone that it’s the perfect vehicle for comiXology.com, and will be a
great tool for preparing your Wednesday shopping list.”
About Comixology Comixology is the premiere website where comic book
fans can review upcoming comic books, trade paperbacks, toys and
related merchandise. Users can browse the best listings of comics on
the Web, create virtual pull lists, rate and discuss comic books, and
use Comixology’s tools to post covers and descriptions of comics to
their blogs and websites. Comixology aims to transform the relationship
between comic book readers, retailers and publishers. Comixology is
owned by Iconology, Inc.
Stardust Kid review at Extremely Graphic
Sadie Mattox, at Extremely Graphic, a manga and graphic novel focused blog here at NewsOK, takes a look at “Stardust Kid,” by the creative team of J.M. DeMatteis and Mike Ploog.
From the review:
“The full color, bright and even *sparkly* illustrations are enchanting. Most of the story takes place in an underground world where plant life comes to life and the creatures who inhabit this land are lush. If you have a child who’s into fantasy, this may be a good pick.”
See “Friends” for Thanksgiving
Over at TheWB.com, all nine of the Thanksgiving-themed “Friends” episodes are available to watch for free. From Joey’s maternity pants, to the trifle, to the turkey on the head, check out the holiday-themed humor. (Most of the Thanksgiving episodes hold up pretty well.)
– Matt Price
Web series, interactive game, or both?
Proving that it always pays to comment on my blog, I checked out Deleted: The Game over the weekend. It’s a web series that’s also part interactive game — users can decipher clues left in the episode and online. Here’s the info from the site:
DELETED: THE GAME is a web TV show that promises to blur the lines between fantasy and reality by drawing viewers into an interactive game. The show revolves around Tyler who is struggling to piece together her life after a traumatic incident left her with a memory failure condition. During the show’s first season, she finds herself embroiled in a conspiracy. Finding herself overwhelmed, Tyler seeks help from her online friends. The producers have hidden a trail of clues in each episode, all over the internet and selected real locations, setting up a massive search for clues. For their participation, viewers earn points towards prizes including an all-expenses paid trip to meet the cast at the end of the season.
Four episodes have been released so far. While I don’t have time to keep up with the gameplay aspects of it, it seems pretty innovative, and I could see something like this happening more in the future. The show’s pretty good, as well.
– Matt Price
Aaron Sorkin to write “Facebook” movie
From a link posted, somewhat appropriately, on Facebook.
The Guardian UK is reporting that “West Wing” creator Aaron Sorkin is writing a film about how Facebook was developed. As part of the process, he’s started a group page on Facebook called “Aaron Sorkin and the Facebook Movie.”
“I’ve just agreed to write a movie for Sony and producer Scott Rudin about how Facebook was invented,” Sorkin wrote in his introduction.
“I figured a good first step in my preparation would be finding out what Facebook is, so I’ve started this page.”
– Matt Price
