Saturday Runaround – Playing The Field, With Healthcare Covered

Published Sat, 08 Dec 2012 05:58:52 -0600

Last updated Sat, 08 Dec 2012 05:59:04 -0600

HEALTH CARED

Andy Diggle talks about his career choices;

It's great. I'm very much enjoying being able to play the field. It's good to be back working with DC again, but I can't see myself signing exclusives with anyone in the future. I have too many projects of my own that I want to develop, and I like the freedom to be able to pursue new opportunities outside of comics as they arise. Being based in the U.K., where we have universal healthcare, there's less incentive to go exclusive with an American publisher.

DODGY DIGI

Jim Zubkavich talks more on the moneyed realities of digital comics.

The only remotely solid numbers I have are my own. I've done quite a bit of promotion about my comic Skullkickers being available on comiXology, iVerse and Graphicly. We have a free zero issue and we've had a couple 99¢ sales, so some of our early issues have sold quite well digitally but, if you count 99¢ copies as a 1/3 sale money-wise, we're selling at about the 15% range of our print sales on early issues. Later issues are sitting at around 8-10% of print sales right now. Admittedly, the 99¢ pricing has expanded our audience much faster and that's nothing to sneeze at. They're not blockbuster sales numbers but at least I know that as our exposure increases back issues will keep selling without any fear of ever being out of stock.

SAYGAR AND HIS STUDENTS

This kind of thing never happened to me at school;

"Students at Harrison High School got a treat Wednesday when comic book artist Stuart Sayger visited Susan Thomas' art classes.

Sayger, an Indiana University graduate, studied journalism but pursued his true passion after college. He began illustrating as a child and is now working on drawings to be used in conjunction with the new Superman film, "Man of Steel," scheduled for release next summer."

POW ZAP BOOM

The worst title ever is still being used. This time to tell the story of an Alcatraz Tour Guide who quit his job to open a comic book shop.

However, "one day at breakfast, Jennifer asked me, 'If you could do anything, what would it be?' And I immediately said, 'Own a comic book store.' To which she said, 'Why don't you?'"

Christensen was up for the challenge, and began researching the pros and cons — "especially in this economy" — and decided to take the plunge. He acknowledges the risks, especially since comics come out digitally on the same day the paper versions are released. Might this be a repeat of the film to digital dilemma he experienced, if electronic versions of the paper comics take over?

"No," he asserts, "paper still has a strong collectability factor, especially with the Iron Man, Avengers and Batman franchises, and now 'The Walking Dead' and 'Game of Thrones' from television."

"TO THE LIBRARY!"

Simpsons Comic Artist speaks at a library and offers advice to young artists.

"It's pretty cool hearing from someone that is as accomplished as he is," said Kaitlyn Foley, who plans on studying game design at Kent State University next fall.

"I already draw a lot, and I'm into Japanese comics," she said.

"TO THE STAGE!"

A profile of a Floridian independent comic book creator who's getting into acting. It's a weird profile.

But Walker also has a new creative interest: film acting. It may sound like an odd turn for a graphic artist, but Walker doesn't see it that way. Eventually he'd like to see his comic books become movies, he said, and film work is part of his continuing education.

MAD LIBS

Dan Panosian draws the Mad Men.

HERO HERITAGE

An exploration of super heroes in the Hudson Valley in New York

The X-Men, part time mutant-human peace advocates and most-of-the-time superheroes, make their home at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters in Salem Center. Salem Center is a real-life hamlet of the real-life town of North Salem in Westchester. Two of the most prominent X-Men of all, professor Charles Xavier – team leader, hyperintellect, almost-peerless telepath – and Jean Grey – powerful telepath and occasional host of the Cosmos-rattling Phoenix Force – have roots in Red Hook, specifically in the town's hamlet of Annandale-on-Hudson.

JERO HOSPITAL

Children's hospital in Wisconsin get superhero window washers.

The young patients of Ministry St. Joseph's Children's Hospital got a big surprise Monday as Spider-Man, Batman, and Captain America all appeared to swoop down from the sky, right outside their windows.

What they were witnessing was not a comic come to life, but a kind collaboration between Brite-Way window cleaning service and some workers at Ministry St. Joseph's.

SHAZAM SALES

Jerry Ordway selling Shazam posters on eBay

TWITTERATI

Tony Daniel wants more twitter followers

[tweet https://twitter.com/TonySDaniel/status/277284816230170624]

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