PW Comics World: More To Come

Problems from Comixology’s integration into Amazon Kindle continue; the annual ComicsPro retailers meeting; new hires Gina Gagliano (Boston Book Festival), Chris Arrant (ReedPop), and the launch of AMC Networks Publishing; ICv2’s Manga Week; plus DC’s switch to “hot desks” and Batman’s new creative team.

An interview with Jeff Trexler, Interim executive director of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, about the CBLDF response to the rise in efforts to ban certain books in schools and libraries; CBLDF’s mission and the history of comics and graphic novel censorship, as well as CBLDF legal resources, and its work in support of teachers, librarians, and retailers in defense of the freedom to read.

Amazon completely absorbs Comixology and Kindle replaces the Comixology app amidst user complaints; data on booming 2021 graphic novel sales; Spike Trotman exits Kickstarter; the Internet Archive/PRH copyright clash over ‘Maus’, and is this the end of the editorial cartoon.

An interview with Khary Randolph and Joanne Starer about their new publishing venture Glass Eye Studios. They talk with Heidi about working with Substack, writing about the Holocaust, indie wrestling, growing up in comics and more

Art Spiegelman's classic graphic novel 'Maus' and rising censorship; the release of the ALA’s GNCRT Best Graphic Novels Lists; a new wave of Substack comics; TopataGO, a new crowdfunding platform by Topataco; a class action suit against ActionLab comic; Scout Comics; and manga piracy, Cloudfare, and fair use.

Calvin and PW graphic novels reviews editor Meg Lemke highlight and discuss Eric Orner’s graphic biography ‘Smahtguy: The Life and Times of Barney Frank,’ a personal and political biography of the first openly gay congressman.

Dan Cherry has abruptly left DC; other DC news; new developments at Heavy Metal; Valiant’s NFT plans; Black Sands makes an appearance on Shark Tank; news breaks on a Scott Pilgrim anime; and the 10th annual Black Comic Book Festival at the Schomburg Center in Harlem.

PW graphic novel reviews editor Meg Lemke on launching PW's first-ever standalone comics and graphic novel announcement feature. Then the news: massive layoffs at Comixology; Europe Comics shut down; CEO Medney is out at Heavy Metal; Korean webcomics creators face abusive workloads; and job moves by AnimeNYC founder Peter Tatara and others.

An interview with bestselling author Samira Ahmed (Internment, Amira & Hamza) about becoming the first Muslim South Asian woman to write Ms. Marvel with 'Ms. Marvel: Beyond the Limit' and adjusting to writing comics. Also discussed are the growing threat of book bannings, and comics that impressed Ahmed growing up.

David Ezra Stein is interviewed by Heidi about his debut graphic novel, 'Beaky Barnes; Egg on the Loose', as well as switching from illustration to comics, art school in NYC and keeping the humanity in art.

Record 2021 adult graphic novel and manga sales; Dark Horse Comics’s acquisition by the Embracer Group; the CBWU’s historic union certification vote at Image; The Beat’s annual Comics Creator Survey; and the Comics Industry Person of the Year.

Calvin and PW graphic novels reviews editor Meg Lemke discuss 'The Waiting' by Keum Suk Gendry-Kim, a fictional reflection on the heartbreaking separation of North and South Korean families; and Dash Shaw’s 'Discipline', the story of a pacifist Quaker family facing a call to fight in the Civil War; plus the Stargazing holiday reading and gift guide.

The biggest events, trends, and personalities of the past year, among them: PRH Distributes Marvel in the DM, supply chain headaches, sales spike and the impact of streaming, the US Book Show shines, Webtoon and Tapas, rising book censorship, and Comic Book Workers United tries to unionize Image Comics. Plus, Alison Bechdel Tops PW’s 2021 Graphic Novel Critics Poll.

An interview with Siena Siegel and her artist-husband Mark Siegel about 'Tiny Dancer', a new young adult graphic memoir about her passion for ballet and her early years as a student at The School of American Ballet in New York City. The new book is a more expansive autobiographical work for older readers and revisits Siena’s 2006 young readers graphic memoir 'To Dance'.

A recap of the return of AnimeNYC and reports of a single case of Omicron in a fan that attended; Heidi's trip to San Diego Comic-Con’s Special Edition; Gina Gagliano’s departure from Random House Graphic; Webtoon Unscrolled, a new graphic novel imprint, and Zestworld, a new comics publishing platform; and news and rumors about Dark Horse Comics.

From AnimeNYC 2021, the panel "Webcomics and the Future of Manga and Graphic Novels". Literary agent Janna Morishima talks with Michael Son (VP of Content, Tapas); George Rohacs (Artist Manager and Kickstarter Expert, Organized Havoc); Manuel Godoy (Founder of Black Sands Publishing) and Heidi MacDonald about the future of webcomics, manga, and graphic novels. Plus, Kate interviews Stephane Metayer of Tephlon Funk, Erika Swanson of Bellossoms & Kitson of MT Star on the convention floor.

Comic Book Workers United’s unprecedented effort to unionize Image Comics; a ransomware attack hits Diamond Comics Distributors; efforts to ban two notable graphic novels; and comics writer Mariko Tamaki’s Surely Books, a new LGBTQ-focused graphic novel imprint at Abrams ComicArts.

An interview with Greg Pak (Planet Hulk, Mech Cadet Yu) about his new Kickstarter for 'Cooking Will Break Your Heart', a combination illustrated cook book/memoir. He also discusses how creators connect with their audience, his work on Star Wars comics and more. .

Growing problems and delays in the comics publishing supply chain; retailer response to the initial problems plaguing the PRH/Marvel Direct Market distribution service; the DC FanDome virtual con and Baltimore Comic Con; PW’s picks for best graphic novels of the year; and a look at the crowdfunding campaign to publish a Dune graphic adaptation.

An interview with Douglas Wolk, author of "All the Marvels" - a comprehensive analysis of and guide to all over 27,000 issues of Marvel Comics in the Marvel universe since 1961 through the day he completed reading.