Janelle Asselin
Bringing a Vintage Twist: Artist Genevieve FT [Hire This Woman]
Hire This Woman is a recurring feature on ComicsAlliance that shines a spotlight on female comics creators, whether they're relative newcomers or experienced pros who are ready to break out. In an overwhelmingly male business, we want to draw your attention to these creators --- and to raise their profile with editors and industry gatekeepers.
Artist Genevieve FT has worked in animation and video games, but also has a love of comics. She's drawn Garfield comics as well as covers for Adventure Time, Bravest Warriors, and Archie Comics.
Sophie Campbell Drew A Bunch of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Art And It’s Great
IDW Limited is currently taking preorders for their Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Secret History of the Foot Clan Workprint in different levels identified by color --- Red, Black, and Blue. The higher level sets include a piece of original art by one of a bunch of different creators, including artist Sophie Campbell. IDW has posted a bunch of Campbell's drawings, so we gathered them for your enjoyment! Even if you can't afford to get the Black or Blue package, at least you can look at these gorgeous drawings of your favorite heroes in a half shell.
Adorable But Sad Animals Navigate A Lonely World: Jen Lee’s ‘Vacancy’ and ‘Thunderpaw’
Nobrow has released cartoonist Jen Lee's comic Vacancy, and like her currently-running animated webcomic Thunderpaw: In The Ashes of Fire Mountain, it's about animals left behind. Also like Thunderpaw, Vacancy is adorable but sad, with masterful and compelling storytelling, although it lacks some of the surreal and truly impressive moments of the former. Both are worth a read, although for different reasons.
‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ PR: Now with Slut-Shaming and Rape Jokes!
By now, it's the "slut" heard 'round the geek world: during their press tour for Avengers: Age of Ultron, actors Jeremy Renner and Chris Evans referred to Black Widow respectively as a "slut" and a "whore." They've since apologized - well, Evans apologized, Renner offered something else. Plus, a new clip from the movie reveals a rape joke - something proud feminist Joss Whedon should know better than doing. But is the fuss about these things worthwhile?
Well, yes. Words have meaning. And the words chosen by Renner, Evans, and Whedon in these situations happen to be words that demean women. When Black Widow is routinely left off of Age of Ultron merchandise, the fact that major players in the movie chose these words is extra uncomfortable.
Exclusive: ‘Teen Boat’ Creators Reveal Plans for the Sequel, ‘The Race for Boatlantis’ [Interview]
Beginning May 1st, writer Dave Roman and artist John Green will be serializing their next graphic novel, Teen Boat The Race for Boatlantis as a webcomic. The Race for Boatlantis is a sequel to the creators' 2012 graphic novel, Teen Boat, about a teen who can turn into a boat (yes, really) and his many teen/boat adventures. Readers can give the new story a try via the webcomic, and Roman and Green will interact with their audience as they experience it, with new pages going up every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday until the print book debuts in the fall.
ComicsAlliance spoke with Roman and Green about the decision to offer their graphic novel as a webcomic and what readers can expect from this new story of everyone's favorite boaty teen!
The Significance and Possibilities of the ‘DC Super Hero Girls’ Line
Yesterday, DC Entertainment announced a new consumer products line called DC Super Hero Girls, which will involve them teaming up with partners like Mattel, Random House, and Lego to create product for girls ages 6-12. This is a big deal not just in terms of comics, but in terms of licensed products for kids. But is this kind of gendered initiative what we need? Or is it, as some have stated, "pandering"? Unsurprisingly, I have a lot of thoughts on this matter.
Tidal Energy of Rainbow Vomit: Cartoonist Ines Estrada [Hire This Woman]
Hire This Woman is a recurring feature on ComicsAlliance that shines a spotlight on female comics creators, whether they're relative newcomers or experienced pros who are ready to break out. In an overwhelmingly male business, we want to draw your attention to these creators --- and to raise their profile with editors and industry gatekeepers.
Inés Estrada is a cartoonist, illustrator, fashion designer, and publisher. She also organized Mexico City's first ever festival dedicated to self-published comics and zines. Last year she published her first graphic novel, Lapsos, and is currently working on multiple projects.
2015 Eisner Award Nominations Announced
Today the 2015 Eisner nominations were announced for the awards ceremony that will take place on July 10th during San Diego Comic-Con International. There aren't a ton of surprises in this year's list --- books like Ms. Marvel, Saga, Multiversity, and Bandette led in terms of total nominations --- but as always it's good to see quality books get their due, and it was a year of positive movement in terms of gender diversity, with multiple women nominated in most major categories. We still have a ways to go, but seeing progress is a good sign.
The Oni Press Editorial Team Talks Open Submissions, Diversity, and More
Oni Press is opening up for submissions as of May 1st, which is an excellent opportunity for up-and-coming creators. ComicsAlliance sat down with the entire Oni editorial team --- editor-in-chief James Lucas Jones, senior editor Charlie Chu, editor Robin Herrera, and associate editor Ari Yarwood --- to talk about what they're looking for and why they're doing open submissions. Here's a hint: it has a lot to do with getting diverse voices and diverse stories out into the world.
Exclusive Trailer: Ethan Young’s ‘Nanjing: The Burning City’
Nanjing: The Burning City is cartoonist Ethan Young's retelling of the Nanjing Massacre of 1937, which was a horrific moment in Chinese history. Young's graphic novel has a detailed, gritty tone to the art that lends an appropriate air of gravity to the subject matter. In support of this graphic novel, which will be released in August of this year, publisher Dark Horse has put together this trailer.