Recount in: Colbert loses
Apparently Marvel thought better of having Stephen Colbert as the fictional Marvel president — or this was just a wacky swerve all along.
– Matt Price
Election Day – go vote!
Marvel.com has released a series of “buttons” encouraging voting (including one of the Canadian hero Wolverine, who I assume can’t vote in U.S. elections), concluding today with Captain America.
I encourage the U.S. readers of Nerdage (probably most of you?) to get out and vote today!
- Matt
Happy Halloween!
Hope everyone’s Halloween is successful, and just as spooky as they want it to be.
Marvel announces online exclusive titles
Marvel is announcing additional online-only comics, after the success of their “Iron Man” and “Hulk” tie-ins. I’ll probably read the “Kid Colt.” Full release after the break.
Star Trek photo on UGO
More info here.
Cinematic Titanic trailer: Legacy of Blood
The trailer for the next movie-riffing project by Joel Hodgson and the Cinematic Titanic gang.
Michael Phelps: Superhuman?
Michael Phelps, AP
Swimmer Michael Phelps won his eighth gold medal tonight in the 4X100 medley relay, setting a record for the most gold medals in a single Olympic Games. He set world records in 7 of the 8 races, and the one in which he didn’t — a 1/100th of a second victory over Serbia’s Milorad Cavic in the 100-meter butterfly — was a race that will live in Olympic lore.
Now that Phelps is done with his Olympic races, what’s next? Click past the cut for a few (not entirely serious) ideas.
Comics retail and the media
If you happen to be reading Nerdage from San Diego (and, props to you if you are), you can see the author himself discussing comic book retail and the media at a ComicsPRO-sponsored panel Friday morning. The panel description:
11:00 –12:00 Full Coverage: Making the Most of Media Coverage of Comics
Join ComicsPRO President Joe Field (Flying Colors Comics, Concord CA), newspaper writer and comic retailer Matt Price (The Oklahoman, Speeding Bullet Comics) and Diamond Comic Distributors’ Elissa Lynch (Free Comic Book Day Coordinator) as they present the ways to improve your relationships with the media to get better coverage for your store. Caution: There may be some role-playing involved! Room 22
– Matt Price
Happy Independence Day!
Mike Wieringo scholarship announced
From a news release:
Wieringo’s Friends and Family to Host Special Fundraising Booth at Heroes
Con
CHARLOTTE, NC — When Mike Wieringo abruptly passed away last
August, the comics industry lost more than a great artist and creator – it lost
a friend. Now, Mike’s family has teamed with the Savannah College of Art
and Design to create The Mike Wieringo Scholarship or “The ‘Ringo” to help
keep his spirit of generosity alive.
Created by Mike’s brother Matt and his sister-in-law Suzanne, the ‘Ringo is
designed to help provide similar help to artists at the Savannah College of
Art and Design or SCAD. Domestic and international students with have a
minimum 3.0 grade point average who demonstrate financial need and display a
serious interest in pursuing comics as a career are eligible. The scholarship
will take effect in the artist’s second year of classes, and is renewable for
up to two additional years, provided the student continues to meet the criteria.
The recipient will be chosen from three finalists determined by the college
in a portfolio review by Matt and Suzanne Wieringo, along with a rotating
group. The ultimate goal for the ‘Ringo is to raise enough funds so that it can
cover a full year’s expenses at SCAD, approximately $30,000.
Toward this end, a table staffed by Mike’s family and friends will be set up
in his traditional spot in Artists Alley at Heroes Con in Charlotte, NC.
Heroes was a big part of Mike’s life and career, and was the industry event he
most looked forward to every year.
The table will raise funds through donations and the sale of remaining
copies of Mike’s sketchbooks, copies of comics featuring Mike’s work, selected
pieces of Mike’s original artwork, sketches by Mike’s friends in the industry
who will be appearing at the booth, and items donated by other comic
professionals. Pros appearing include Jeff Parker, Rich Faber, Craig
Rousseau, Todd Dezago, Mark Waid, Richard Case and more to be announced.
“SCAD is one of the most impressive programs in the world to focus on the
medium of comics,” says Jeff Parker, creator of The Interman and Agents of
Atlas, who worked with Mike at Artamus Studios. “I’m pretty sure Mike would
have loved to have attended such a place in his student days. It would make an
excellent legacy for him if we can grow the Ringo scholarship into a launch pad
for the future greats of comics.”
Despite his success on such books as The Flash, Fantastic Four and his own
creator-owned Tellos, Mike Wieringo never forgot what it was like to be a
struggling creator. For many up-and-comers, Mike served as a mentor and
friendly voice, whether it was providing free covers, advice, or just the
encouragement to keep going.
With your help, the Mike Wieringo Scholarship can continue to grow and help
a new generation of creators get the training and connections they need to
start their careers. Mike’s talent, enthusiasm and generosity inspired many in
the comics industry to be their best as both creators and as human beings.
With your help, Mike will continue to be an inspiration for creators in
decades to come.
