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New Christmas Webmanga
Fans of manga in general and Lisa Hutchinson's Shelter of Wings graphic novel in particular will want to seek out A Shelter of Wings Christmas, a new webmanga that will be updated throughout the month of December. Hutchinson reports: "I had no intention of creating a holiday webmanga when I received a sudden inspiration during a sleepless night ... This is my gift to all who have supported me and encouraged me this far, and for those who continue to give their support and prayers. My sincerest thanks, with a hope and a prayer for a Spirit-filled Christmas." The webmanga is scheduled to be completed just before Christmas. [SOURCE: Lisa Hutchinson, 5 December 2007] |
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New Version of Christmas Carol Comic
Edge Group UK, responsible for many Christian comics over the years such as The Graphic Bible and YUN: The Illustrated Story of the Heavenly Man, has announced the 2008 release of a US version of The Illustrated Christmas Story by Christian Comics Pioneer Bob Bond. The book will be a 72-page paperback, published by Amsco Publications, and will contain "the timeless Christmas story ... told with charming illustrations ... including 21 of the best loved carols arranged for piano and voice." Edge Group adds that "It's an ideal way to present The Nativity to young children who will love the pictures and enjoy participating in the story by singing the songs." The book may be pre-ordered through Amazon.com. [SOURCE: Edge Group UK, 5 December 2007] |
Will US Comic Bore & Confuse the French?
Christian comics publisher Gino Balocco, of Editions Husky in Peyrus, France, reports that the French translation/adaptation of US comics creator Jesse Hamm's Comics to Bore and Confuse You has just been printed. Bate et Fonte is a 99-page comic book in the US size, with a color cover. It addresses issues such as "suicide and other youth problems (sex, success, abortion, media)," says Balocco. Regrettaby, this could be the last Husky title to see print, as Balocco is becoming "less and less involved in comics and publishing." Husky has been the producer of several Christian graphic novels and comic albums such as L'Apocalypse de Jean (2006), Jésus chez les Pharisiens (2005), Les Oubliés: L'Ogre d'Ouganda (2005), Les épées de Philistie: David et Goliath (2001) and Frère Jack: Noé Noé matelot (2001). All these books may be purchased online at Librairie Chrétienne CLC France. [SOURCE: Editions Husky, 23 November 2007] |
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From Trilogy to Tetralogy
Texas USA-based Head Press Publishing reports that author/Illustrator Robert James Luedke will extend his award-winning Eye Witness graphic novel series into an additional volume "making the series a tetralogy (utilizing the ancient Greek term for theatrical works constructed in four parts)." Luedke's original volume Eye Witness: A Fictional Tale of Absolute Truth, was published in August 2004, and the second book in the series, Eye Witness: Acts of the Spirit, was released in July 2006. While writing and laying out the third volume, Eye Witness: Rise of the Apostle, Luedke realized it would exceed 170 pages and made the decision to expand it to two volumes. Eye Witness: Rise of the Apostle is scheduled for release in August 2008, while the fourth and currently untitled volume is set tentatively for a release in late 2009. Luedke's Eye Witness: Acts of the Spirit was the winner in the comics category at the 2007 Hollywood Book Festival and won a silver medal for dramatic graphic novels in this year’s Independent Publisher Book Awards. [SOURCE: Head Press Publishing, 15 November 2007] |
New Full-Color Chick Comic
For the first time in a number of years, Chick Publications of California USA has released a full-color, 32 page Crusaders Comic in the standard US size. The new title, The Enchanter (volume 18 in the series), is about Joseph Smith and Mormonism. Chick reports, "It's a story of intrigue, murder, lust and greed ... filled with incredible quotes from Smith himself. After people read this illustrated book, they will not be vulnerable to the Mormon recruiters!" The comic may be purchased through Chick Publications, either individually or as part of a "Jumbo Comic Pack" of all 20 of Chick's color comics. [SOURCE: Chick Publications Newsletter, 2 November 2007] |
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Z Graphic Novel Named as Book Award Semi-finalist
Semi-finalist results for the first annual Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards have been announced, and volume 1 of Zonderkidz's Tomo series was chosen from among 862 entries in 45 U.S. states, 6 Canadian provinces, and 7 countries. Selected in the Comic/Graphic Novel category, I Was an Eighth-Grade Ninja by Andrew Simmons, Rob Corley, and Ariel Padilla is a black & white graphic novel in the popular Manga art style. Semi-finalists are in the final judging stage with the winner to be announced during the week of 15 October. A formal awards presentation will be held in Chicago, IL USA on Saturday 3 November. [SOURCE: Bud Rogers, Managing Editor, Z Graphic Novels, 9 October 2007]
| UPDATE: I Was an Eighth-Grade Ninja took the Bronze Award in the Comic/Graphic Novel category. [SOURCE: Bud Rogers, Z Graphic Novels, 22 October 2007] |
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Realbuzz Has Another "Hit"
Realbuzz Studios has announced that their new graphic novel series Goofyfoot Gurl has received "rave reviews" from Popsyndicate.com and Mangapunk.com for having "insanely unique" art and being "a great feel-good read." Goofyfoot Gurl follows on the heels of the successful re-launch of Realbuzz's inspirational manga series Serenity. [SOURCE: RealBuzz Studios, 5 October 2007] |
Animation Conference in Australia- UPDATE
The ANIMAX35 animation conference begins next week, 10-12 October, in Sydney. In addition to hearing from the main presenters (Phil Watson, Matt Baker, Nate Butler, René Pfitzner, and Ian Harrowell) attendees will be able to watch 'Tip Clips' supplied by animators such as Jeff Holder of FlyOver Projects (professional producer of kids media, including Power Puff Girls, Sesame Street, The GodMan, VeggieTales) and Lon Waitman (winner of the Animations for Web & Mobile Devices Competition in 2006). [SOURCE: COMIX35, 2 October 2007] |
Comics Viewable Online in Polish
A full-folor comic entitled "The Jailor" by Enrique 'Khato' Campdepadrós of Argentina is the first translated comic from COMIX35's 2nd International Christian Comics Competition to be posted on the Polish Baptist web site Drzewo Pana. After viewing all the comics in the COMIX35 Virtual Exhibition Hall, Drzewo Pana secured the rights to translate and post comics by exhibitors from Australia, the USA, Argentina, and Brazil. Drzewo Pana will be adding more comics as they are translated. [SOURCE: Drzewo Pana website, 2 October 2007]
| UPDATE: Comics by Lisa Hutchinson (USA) and Ben Hartnett (Australia) have now been added. [SOURCE: Drzewo Pana website, 18 October 2007] |
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Z Graphic Novels Publishes Webb Comics
Elysium Dreams by long-time comics professional Kathleen Webb has just been posted in the "Featured Artist Showcase" section of the Z Graphic Novels website. This section provides readers with an opportunity to "check out some new material in the works and offer up your opinions." After downloading and reading the comic in PDF format, visitors are encouraged to take a few minutes to complete a survey. "Zondervan is very interested in getting feedback from comics fans," reports Managing Editor Bud Rogers. New comics are posted weekly. Kathleen Webb has been scripting secular comics since 1985, and she wrote and drew the "Holly and the Ivy Halls" strip for Focus on the Family's Brio magazine from 1993 to 2004. [SOURCES: Kathleen Webb, Bud Rogers and Z Graphic Novels website, 2 October 2007] |
Comics & Cartoon Tracts Available for Halloween
• The Truth For Youth Ministry is offering their Hairy Polarity and the Sinister Sorcery Satire full-color comic book on the dangers of sorcery and witchcraft. • The publishers of Powermark Comics have Masquerade, a full-color comic book with a clear Gospel presentation for "trick-or-treaters." • In addition to a list of suggested tracts, Chick Publications has a page of Creative Halloween Tract Usage Ideas on their website. • The American Tract Society (ATS) has a new Light-In-a-Box Halloween Kit that includes evangelistic tracts, goodie bags, glow bracelets, and a glow-in-the-dark black "Light-Up-The-Night" t-shirt. ATS also offers 20 other tracts for Halloween outreach. [SOURCES: The Truth for Youth, Chick Publications, ATS, Powermark and Megazeen websites, 2 October 2007] |
New Bio of US Christian Comics Pioneer
A long-awaited biography and cartoon collection, E. J. Pace: Christian Cartoonist, has just been released. Six years in the making, this 250-page volume contains hundreds of drawings and many rare photographs of Dr. E. J. Pace. During his temporal life (1879-1946) Dr. Pace was a United Brethren missionary to the Philippines and Director of the Missionary Course at the Moody Bible Institute. In addition, he was an editorial cartoonist for The Sunday School Times and numerous other Christian periodicals for four decades. His artwork was often used in support of his itinerant Bible teaching ministry throughout the world. Publisher Alec Stevens adds that Dr. Pace was "a seminal Christian Comics Pioneer and a truly great man of God." Preview pages can be seen at the Calvary Comics web site. [SOURCE: Alec Stevens, 22 September 2007] |
Supanova Pop Culture Expo in Australia
Nate Butler of COMIX35 will be a "Special Guest" at the 2007 Supanova, along with well-known US secular comics creators such as Stan Lee (live from LA) and Marv Wolfman. There are also tentative plans for a Christian comics panel at the Expo, which runs 12-14 October at The Dome in Sydney Olympic Park. Just prior to his appearance at Supanova, Butler will be a presenter at the ANIMAX35 animation conference. [SOURCES: Supanova website and COMIX35, 20 September 2007] |
Learning Opportunities for Comics Creators
• The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) is planning Publishing University ("Pub U") tracks and sessions on Design, Production, Technology, Rights Management, Editorial, Marketing, and Publicity. ECPA'S latest Pub U will be held 4-6 November in Chicago, IL USA. • Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.) Intl in Brentwood, TN USA says, "We have left the age of the orator and have entered the age of the artist." A.C.T.'s Arts-Ministry Training Institute seeks to equip artists to impact their culture for Christ. Their upcoming Fall Session has 5- week courses from 9 October to 6 November including "The Arts in Ministry," "So You Want to be Published," and "Healing the Wounded Heart of Artists: Ministering from a Whole Heart." [SOURCES: ECPA Pub U Events and Artists in Christian Testimony Intl News and Opportunities, 14 September 2007] |
Relevant, Family-Friendly Graphic Novels
The Z Graphic Novels from Zondervan/Zonderkidz are providing a healthy, theologically sound alternative to the current secular products that often expose young readers to strong violence and pagan worldviews. The first twelve titles, representing six separate series, were released in August with Biblical, superhero and fantasy/science fiction storylines. "Zondervan is excited to enter the graphic novel category because we believe this form of storytelling is only going to continue to grow in popularity," said Alicia Mey, Vice President of Marketing. "Readers new to the format will find these books just as compelling and theologically sound as everything Zondervan creates." In all, 48 titles are planned for release over the next four years. [SOURCE: Bud Rogers /Z Graphic Novels, 13 September 2007] |
Animation Project News
• Moving Word Productions in Australia has a vision to "take the Christian message, in the form of well told, three dimensional, funny, animated Bible stories, into the homes of urban children between 9 and 12 years of age." As a result they are producing the Real Heroes series of half-hour, broadcast-quality animations. • The GodMan project,"a computer-generated, photo-realistic animation version of the Book of Hope," tells the life story of Jesus Christ and is currently available in five different cultural versions: Multi-Cultural, African, Indian, Latin American and Slavic. The movie has been dubbed into 31 languages. • US-based Promenade Pictures is producing a 3-D animated series entitled Epic Stories of the Bible beginning with The Ten Commandments. • Big Idea’s newVeggieTales: The Wonderful Wizard of Ha’s presents a "Veggie-twist" on The Wizard of Oz and the story of the prodigal son. The DVD reaches stores Oct. 6 and 9, in Christian and general-market stores respectively. [SOURCES: The Real Heroes, Book of Hope, and Epic Stories of the Bible web sites, and CBA Retailers+Resources Industry Brief, 27 August 2007] |
Animation Conference in Australia- UPDATE
The ANIMAX35 animation conference web site has a short promotional animation by cartoonist Phil Watson featuring images of the main teaching and resource team: Watson, Matt Baker, Graham Wade, Nate Butler, and René Pfitzner. Watson reports that well-known Australian animator Ian Harrowell will also attend and teach for part of one day. Harrowell, formerly with Disney, is the director of the Real Heroes project. The ANIMAX35 animation conference will be held 10 - 12 October at the Mission to Seafarers headquarters in Sydney in cooperation with COMIX35 in the USA. [SOURCES: Phil Watson and COMIX35, 23 August 2007] |
Free Bible for Teens Contains Comics
American Family Association/American Family Radio is partnering with Revival Fires International, the ministry of Evangelist Tim Todd, this week (20-24 August) to place a free Truth for Youth Bible into the hands of teenagers who will distribute them to lost students in public schools. Parents and grandparents are urged to participate in this vital campaign by ordering a copy for a teenager to distribute at school. The Truth for Youth Bible consists of the entire New Testament in the God's Word version, along with full-color comics on issues facing young people today. In the US, books may also be obtained by calling 1-800-733-4737 (toll free) and ordering a Bible for a teenager to distribute at school. In the past five years the AFA/Revival Fires partnership has resulted in more than 250,000 Bibles being given away in school and more than 1100 young people surrendering their hearts to Jesus Christ. [SOURCE: American Family Association, 23 August 2007] |
Shelter of Wings Site Goes Live
The recently launched web site for Lisa Hutchinson's Shelter of Wings graphic novel site has a blog, a gallery with some of Hutchinson's new art, fanart, and an extensive Angel FAQ, as well as a section for her edited inked and pencilled pages. There is also a forum for visitors 13-years-old and up that provides a place for meeting, information, prayer support and spiritual guidance. [SOURCE: Lisa Hutchinson ,10 August 2007] |
Manga in Uganda
NEXT reports that MANGA MESSIAH has been well-received in Uganda. Roald Lidal of NEXT met recently with Uganda's Minister of Education and Sports, the Minister of Ethics and Integrity, a Commissioner in the Ministry of Education, the Educational Coordinator of the Church of Uganda, and the First Lady. Everyone was very excited about the MANGA MESSIAH project. The Minister of Ethics and Integrity said, "Wonderful, absolutely wonderful. Anti-Christian forces are targeting the schools today. Now is truly the time for something like this." The leader of the Uganda Christian Teacher’s Association stated, "I read this book and it is great. I also showed it to several children, and they literally fought over it, as they wanted it so much. Please know this book project will be a success in Uganda." 800,000 copies of MANGA MESSIAH will be distributed in the country, which is about one book for every 10 school children. "As I saw the children and their openness to the Gospel and the teaching of the Bible, I became burdened to increase the initial amount," said Lidal. "Uganda has literally been flooded with Japanese cars, and I believe we can export something far more important – we can flood the country with the Word of God by supplying MANGA MESSIAH to the children," he concluded. [SOURCE: NEXT ,1 August 2007] |
Animation Conference in Australia
There are new dates for the ANIMAX35 animation conference: 10 - 12 October at the Mission to Seafarers headquarters in Sydney. This conference is being organized by Phil Watson and Graham Wade, in cooperation with COMIX35 in the USA. Logosdor is also offering assistance. Resource people at the conference will include Australian cartoonists and animators such as Matt Baker, Dean Rankine, Ross Franks, and René Pfitzner. [SOURCE: COMIX35, 1 August 2007] |
Christian Comics for Poland
After viewing all the comics in the COMIX35 Virtual Exhibition Hall, the Polish Baptist web site Drzewo Pana has contacted several of the exhibitors to secure the rights to translate and post their comics in Polish. Arrangements have already been made with Dean Rankine of Australia, Lisa Hutchinson of the USA, Enrique 'Khato' Campdepadrós of Argentina, and Fernando 'Gade' Souza of Brazil. The Virtual Exhibition Hall contains approximately 200 pages of professional and amateur comics, all of which are entries to the 2nd International Christian Comics Competition. Currently the Drzewo Pana site features recent sermons, music/movie reviews and news events from a Christian point of view. [SOURCE: COMIX35, 1 August 2007] |
ArmorQuest to be Animated
Ben Avery's ArmorQuest (AQ) graphic novels are in development to be produced as a feature-length animated product, either direct-to-DVD or as a theatrical release. Conceptual art has been started, Avery is developing the screenplay, and Wet Cement Productions is making an animated trailer. There are also more AQ comics in production. [SOURCE: Community Comics, 13 July 2007] |
New Comics from CCAS
Members of the Christian Comic Arts Society (CCAS) have produced several more comic booklets the same length and size as Eric Jansen's popular Paraman title. New comics include Little Thief by Jansen, an 8-page story written and drawn specifically for Africa. "It's about a teenage boy who tries to rob a man but is instead led to the Lord by him," explains Jansen. "We just printed 25,000 copies, and I've already shipped half of those off to Sierra Leone and Sudan. It's funny - I did it for Africa, but the first 300 went with a woman who going to Belize!" Copies will be displayed at Comic-Con in San Diego USA. [SOURCE: Christian Comic Arts Society, 11 July 2007] |
Christian Comics Exhibit Hall Opens
Approximately 200 pages of professional and amateur comics from 24 countries are now available for viewing at the COMIX35 Virtual Exhibition Hall. The comics on display are selected entries to the 2nd International Christian Comics Competition. One Professional comic entry and one Amateur comic entry will be chosen as 1st Prize Winners by a panel of judges. All visitors to the Exhibition can vote for a "People's Choice Award" winner in both divisions. [SOURCE: COMIX35, 5 July 2007] |
Hairy Polarity Comic Reveals Dangers of HP Movie
The dangerous spiritual nature of the new Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix movie, due to be released next week, is exposed through the comic book Hairy Polarity and the Sinister Sorcery Satire, published by Revival Fires International in Louisiana USA. This 32-page, full color comic may be viewed and purchased online or at Revival Fires Crusades across the USA. Although it is presented in satirical form, the story informs readers of many explicit examples of evil in the Potter books and movies. "While Harry Potter is popular even among many Christians, it presents a Godless universe, one in which the most powerful wizard wins," says Evangelist Tim Todd, President of Revival Fires. "This is not the vision of the universe that Christian parents should want to instill in their children; nor is 'white magic' an appropriate response to evil." Todd is encouraging concerned parents and leaders to obtain quantities of this comic book and distribute them as an informative resource. [SOURCE: Revival Fires International, 5 July 2007] |
Christian Comics at Comic-Con 2007
The Christian Comic Arts Society (CCAS) will be at the San Diego Comic-Con in California USA again this year. They will be located at table #P7 in Aisle 1900 in the Small Press Section. Authors and Illustrators for a number of new Christian comics will be on hand. The 2007 Christian Comics Guide by Don Ensign will also be available. In addition, CCAS will be sponsoring two panel discussions at the Comic-Con: Spirituality in Comics (Saturday 28 July, 10:30 AM, Room 10) hosted by Scott A. Shuford and the CCAS panel (Sunday 29 July, 10:30, Room 24A) hosted by Robert Flores. A short sermon and worship music will precede the panel discussion on Sunday. For more information please visit the CCAS web site. [SOURCE: Robert Flores, 4 July 2007] |
More TV Exposure for Graphic Novelist
Robert James Luedke, author-illustrator of the Eye Witness graphic novel series, will be a guest on FanBoy TV on Monday 9 July from 7-8pm Central Time in the USA. He will be speaking about his series and rendering a piece of original artwork live during the course of program. The artwork will be given away to a viewer during a future broadcast. "This is a wonderful opportunity for me to talk about Christian-based comics and graphic novels and share a bit of testimonial in a forum that is pure Pop Culture," said Luedke. "It's a very entertaining and visually exciting show!" For more information or to tune in, go to FanBoy TV or iTunes. [SOURCE: Head Press Publishing, 4 July 2007] |
Comics Creators Serve Their Community
In India, in the home town of Christian comics publisher Mr. George Koshy, people are suffering from a viral epidemic known as "Chikun Guniya." In his district alone, more than one million have been affected with this unusually contagious disease, and several thousand have died. Everyday 20 or more people die in his state. Mr. Koshy himself, and his son and daughter, have had the infection. Mr. Koshy's cartoonist, Mr. Shaji Mathew, is arranging a cartoon exhibition in various places to create awareness about the precautions that need to be taken. In addition, Mr. Koshy designed a color poster (shown here) and printed 5000 copies that were distributed in schools, hospitals and public places. Mr. Koshy states, "We pasted it all over the town ... everywhere the public gathers. We believe this is our responsibility to the public as Christian believers." They printed almost 10,000 copies of a smaller, black & white version of the poster and distributed these through newspaper boys. Mr. Koshy concludes, "We are not yet out of the problem. We specially request your prayers." [SOURCE: Mr. George Koshy, 2 July 2007] |
Popular Cartoon Tracts Still Available
From 1944-2001 Life Messengers, founded by Moody Bible Institute alumnus Ray W. Johnson, produced and published great quantities of Christian cartoon tracts such as "Here's How", "Destined for Greatness", "Have You Been Brainwashed?", "The Captain" and many others. Over 66 million copies of "Here's How" alone were printed and distributed in over 50 languages in scores of nations. Contributing artists included Fred Basher and Deryl Skelton. Some of these tracts are available in the UK. In the US they can be ordered through Gospel Tract Distributors, P.O. Box 17406, Portland, Oregon 97217. [SOURCE: Alec Stevens, 20 June 2007] |
COMIX35 Competition Comes to a Close
The deadline has just passed for the 2nd International Christian Comics Competition, and COMIX35 reports receiving over 240 pages of professional and amateur comics from 24 countries around the world. Selected entries will be displayed in a Virtual Exhibition Hall, scheduled to "open" on 5 July 2007. One Professional comic entry and one Amateur comic entry will be selected as 1st Prize Winners by a panel of judges. All visitors to the Exhibition will have the opportunity to vote for a "People's Choice Award" winner in both divisions. [SOURCE: COMIX35, 15 June 2007] |
Manga Messiah Coming to USA
Beginning in September, MANGA MESSIAH will be available in the US market through Tyndale House Publishers. Tyndale will be displaying MANGA MESSIAH at the up-coming International Christian Retail Show (ICRS, formerly CBA Show) in Atlanta, Georgia USA. Hundreds of thousands of copies have already been ordered or distributed in Asia and Africa. MANGA MESSIAH is 288 pages in full color, written and illustrated by professional Japanese manga-ka, and is owned by NEXT. It may be pre-ordered through the Christian Comics Catalog. [SOURCE: NEXT, 8 June 2007] |
Christian Graphic Novelist on Worldwide TV
The author/illustrator of Eye Witness: Acts of the Spirit , Robert James Luedke, will be live on The Harvest Show on LeSea Broadcasting on Thursday 12 July. The Harvest Show is broadcast through 12 stations in the US and reaches over 46 million US homes via DirectTV. Also it is carried on Middle East Television (METV), Far East TV (FETV), the Wonderful Network in Europe, and on Canal Luz in Argentina. In the next 60 days Luedke is also scheduled to appear on the Family Life Radio Network. [SOURCE: Head Press Publishing, 7 June 2007] |
New HQ Puts Faces on the Persecuted
Brazilian comics artist Fernando (Gade) Souza has created a "sequential artwork" to commemorate The Persecuted Church Day on 3 June, in partnership with the Underground/Open Doors ministry. This short work, entitled "Vasos de Barro" ("Earthen Vessels"), is accompanied by the text of 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 and is viewable in either English and Portuguese. It appears on the Gade HQs web site. (HQ is the abbreviation for Histórias em Quadrinhos, literally "stories in little squares," and is the term for "comics" in Brazil.) [SOURCE: Fernando Souza, 31 May 2007] |
ArmorQuest Returns
Community Comics reports that the full-color editions of ArmorQuest: Genesis volumes 2 and 3 are scheduled to be released this summer. Writer Ben Avery says that this will complete "the entire first story arc, in color, [and] includes back-up stories and extra material." The color trade paperback version of ArmorQuest: Genesis volume 1 was published under the Cross Culture Entertainment imprint in 2005, and a black & white, digest-sized collection of all the ArmorQuest stories came out in 2006. Vida Entertainment will be distributing the new color editions to CBA stores. Copies will be available in secular comic book shops as well. Avery plans to begin working on the first two parts of a new ArmorQuest: Dragon Knight trilogy this summer. [SOURCE: Community Comics, 25 May 2007] |
Ministries Working Together Downunder
Ruth White of Paul White Productions (PHP) in Australia says that the "Jungle Doctor" comics are now available through Logosdor. "They sell our comics with their children's resources in their on-line shop," she reports. White and Logosdor have planned for the latter's eventual takeover of PHP. The "Jungle Doctor" comics were written by the late Dr. Paul White and mostly illustrated by Christian Comics Pioneer Graham Wade. Recently Logosdor launched the new Max7 site offering free downloads of Christian-themed animations such as Aim Lower and The Lost Son. [SOURCES: Paul White Productions and the Logosdor web site, 22 May 2007] |
Bible-based Comic Circulating in the 10/40 Window
The Oklahoma USA-based ministry Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) is distributing the Gospel graphic novel He Lived Among Us in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Sudan. The comics are also included in "Action Packs" sent to Pakistan and Sudan. VOM assists persecuted Christians worldwide and exposes this ongoing persecution. He Lived Among Us is published by retired Dutch sea captain Warmolt Houwing based in Ontario, Canada. Over 18 million copies of He Lived Among Us have been printed in 27 languages. [SOURCES: The VOM and He Lived Among Us web sites, 22 May 2007] |
Christian-themed Graphic Novel Wins IPPY Award
Eye Witness: Acts of the Spirit will receive the silver medal in the Dramatic Graphic Novel category at this year's IPPY Awards. Acts of the Spirit, written and illustrated by Robert James Luedke, is the second book in the Eye Witness graphic novel trilogy from Head Press Publishing. Book one, A Fictional Tale of Absolute Truth, was released August 2004. The third and final book in the series, Destiny Road, is scheduled for late 2008. "Though winning awards is not what we set out to do ... to have a Christian based graphic novel recognized in this fashion by the media is a wonderful blessing to this developing genre," stated Luedke. "The purpose of this series is to bring the story of the birth of the Christian faith to a new generation of readers who might not be interested in going to church or reading the Bible but who love a good action-thriller presented in the graphic novel format." The IPPY Awards are sponsored by Independent Publisher Magazine/Jenkins Group. [SOURCE: Head Press Publishing, 21 May 2007] |
Manga Messiah Spreading Worldwide
Following the initial 100,000 copy press-run of MANGA MESSIAH in English, most of which were distributed in the Philippines, NEXT has just announced that 800,000 copies have been ordered for distribution to school children in Uganda. More English-language editions will be ordered for Malaysia and Singapore, and a Tagalog translation has been completed for the Philippines. NEXT has publishing agreements in place for Norway, Holland, France and the USA and is negotiating contracts in a number of other countries and languages. MANGA MESSIAH is 288 pages in full color and is the only 'Manga Bible' actually written and illustrated by professional Japanese manga-ka. Two more editions in this Manga Bible series are currently in production in Japan. See the NEXT web site for more details. [SOURCE: NEXT, 8 May 2007] |
Nappaland Offering Secular Comics and GN Reviews
Mike Nappa, publisher of Nappaland.com, says "Graphic-intensive print products are now dominating the lives of American children and teens." Quoting stats from the Marvel Comics media kit, he reports, "Marvel Comics distributes 4.1 million comic books every month—a circulation higher than Time magazine, Woman’s Day, TV Guide, or Sports Illustrated." Acknowledging it’s "important for parents to be culturally savvy, artistically inspired, and deeply rooted in their faith," Nappa provides a review and an "After the Story," getting parents and families to talk about the comic from a Christian worldview. Coverage has already begun on the Nappaland.com web site. Nappa is the creator and writer of the Johnny Grav & The Visioneer Christian comic strip series. [SOURCE: CBA/Aspiring Retail Industry Brief, 7 May 2007] |
Comics Project to Benefit 'Feed My Starving Children'
Community Comics is assisting the non-profit ministry Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), based in Minnesota USA, in the production of two-page comics to recruit, encourage and educate their volunteer workforce. Each comic will tell a starving child's story and will be distributed to approximately 80,000 Christian teens who pack and ship FMSC's food packets. (A sample two-page comic may be seen here.) Community Comics is offering other artists, companies, or studios the opportunity to donate artwork for future two-page comics. A small space at the bottom of each comic will be available for promotion of the artist/company/studio's website. [SOURCE: The CCAS web site, 5 May 2007] |
More Tracts from Chick
The two newest tracts from Chick Publications of California USA are Fairy Tales? and Free at Last! Both tracts may be read online at the Chick Publications web site. A number of slower-selling Chick tract titles are being dropped including War Zone, Who Cares?, Caught, The Outcast, Real Heat, The Promise, Kidnapped!, Man in Black, and The Loser. After 1 July these tracts will be available on a custom-order basis only. [SOURCE: Chick Publications Newsletter, 1 May 2007] |
Christian Comics & Games for Troops in Iraq
A group of soldiers in Iraq are putting together a Role-Playing Games (RPG) convention and gaming tournament. The Ziggurat Con, which will be held Saturday June 9 from 1200 to 2100 hours at the Community Activity Center of Camp Adder/Tallil Airbase, is open to all allied military personnel and civilian contractors in Iraq. They are expecting around 300 people to attend. SPC David Amberson, one of the organizers, says they need gaming materials as well as prizes and giveaways for the troops, including comic books, graphic novels, and PDF products. "Everything donated will go directly to the troops, or (will be used) as loaner books for the soldiers," he reports. COMIX35 has confirmed with SPC Amberson that the organizers are willing and able to accept Christian-themed materials, which will be given to the Chaplains for distribution to the troops. Send all materials to: SPC David Amberson, A Co 86th Sig Bn. APO, AE 09331. Also, Amazon.com will ship to military addresses, if anyone wishes to order materials to be sent to SPC Anderson directly. [SOURCE: COMIX35, 16 April 2007] |
South Asian Animation Situation
Christian cartoonist and animator Moses Meriga of India has worked for four years to develop a proposed animated feature about the life of Sadhu Sundar Singh, one of the most significant figures of East Indian Christianity. Meriga has been an animator for Zee Telefilms and a producer of visual testimonies for the Christian Broadcasting Network in Mumbai. Currently Meriga is available for overseas animation outsourcing and for work as an Animation Supervisor for local TV stations and Christian organizations in Mumbai. He is the writer, director and animator of the independent cartoon short Haseena for Adoption. [SOURCE: Moses Meriga, 12 April 2007] |
Popular Cartoonist Dead at Age 76
Born Again US comic strip artist Johnny Hart, who created the popular B.C. and The Wizard of Id strips, has died from a stroke. His family reports he was working at his drawing table at his home in Nineveh, NY USA when it happened. (Creators Syndicate has posted a Memorial page for him here.) Hart was born February 18, 1931 in Endicott, NY about 135 miles northwest of New York City. His B.C. strip started in 1958 and is reported to be in more than 1,300 newspapers today. The Wizard of Id was launched in 1964 is said to be in more than 1,000 papers. Hart was a six-time winner of the National Cartoonists Society Award for Best Humor Strip and a recipient of the prestigious Reuben Award for Best Cartoonist of the Year. After he became a follower of Jesus Christ in 1987 Hart's faith was reflected clearly in many of his strips. Although these strips were often controversial, Hart continued to produce them until his death. "Too many Christians have bought into the lie that we shouldn't mention our beliefs," he noted in 1995. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Nineveh Presbyterian Church, 2997 N.Y. Route 7, Nineveh, NY. The family will receive friends from 4 - 8 p.m. Wednesday and 4 - 8 p.m. Thursday at the Osterhoudt-Madden Funeral Home. Please pray for Hart's wife, Bobby, and two daughters, Patti and Perri. [SOURCES: AP news story and several news web sites, 9 April 2007] |
The CCAS Website Returns
The Christian Comic Arts Society (CCAS) is back online after a notable absence. CCAS Membership Coordinator Eric Jansen notes that "the CCAS website was hacked, but we were in the middle of an update anyhow." Webmaster Geoff Strout has added an Interactive Forum and a Social Network group. CCAS also has a presence on Myspace, ComicSpace, and Shoutlife. CCAS was co-founded over 20 years ago by Christian Comics Pioneer Don Ensign. Anyone interested in becoming involved in the CCAS APA-zine (amateur press association publication) Alpha-Omega or attending CCAS meetings can contact Eric Jansen through the web site. [SOURCE: Eric Jansen, 28 March 2007] |
Editor of Syndicated Christian Strip Dies
Jay Kennedy, editor-in-chief of King Features Syndicate, died Thursday 15 March in an accident while on vacation in Costa Rica. He was 50 years old. Kennedy had long championed the idea of a "faith-based comic strip" at King Features, and Heaven' s Love Thrift Shop became one of his "pet projects." Christian Comics Pioneer Kevin Frank reports, "Jay was influential in my strip, beyond just giving it the greenlight. He suggested the thrift store angle to me, and the name is totally his ... We had talked about spiritual matters while creating my strip, but he certainly did not consider himself a believer. Still, he was very interested, so who knows what was going on in his heart?" Kennedy is survived by his mother, two brothers and a sister. Please pray for them during this difficult time. [SOURCE: King Features web site, 20 March 2007] |
Russian Brother Competes in Secular Competition
Christian comics creator Igor Kolgarev has entered a preview of his comic "Parable of the River" in the ComMission 2007 Comics Festival in Russia. The finished story will be 30 pages, but only 4 pages may be posted in the online competition. Kolgarev has explained that his story is about a group of children who disregard the warnings of their father and older brother and are swept away in a dangerous river. Stranded in another land, they dream of returning ... until the day their older brother comes to bring them home. Kolgarev is one of the only Christian comics producers to enter the festival. [SOURCE: Igor Kolgarev, 17 March 2007]
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Animated KIDZ to Appear on DVD
Ten Talents Productions will be producing animated cartoons based on the Kidz of the King Christian-themed comic books. The first is scheduled for release in Fall 2007 through established DVD distribution channels and Urban Ministries, Inc. (UMI), located in Chicago, IL USA. UMI distributes to 65,000 African-American Christian Churches and is the publisher of the Kidz comic books. The series, created by Reggie and Dionne Byers, is about "ten angels disguised as 'kid superheroes' who battle against evil forces that are after the hearts and minds of the children on earth." Sheepdog Studios, LLC began publishing the comic book series in 1994 until UMI acquired limited comic book publishing rights in 2002. Since then over 600,000 copies have been distributed and sold to churches as well as Christian book retailers in the USA. [SOURCE: Sheepdog Studios, 17 March 2007] |
Ministries Partner to Produce Amazing Gospel
Crosswind Comics in Kansas USA has released a 48-page, full-color comic book based on the Gospel of Luke. Designed for outreach, The Amazing Gospel is available in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole. The first printing of 85,000 copies is already being given away for free to prison inmates throughout the US and to ministries worldwide. A second printing is planned for the summer in Arabic, Indonesian, and other languages. Crosswind Comics is now officially partnered with the Gospel Tract Society, a ministry in Missouri USA that has been distributing free literature since 1927. Crosswind founder Daniel Schwabauer says, "GTS President Tom Buttram and I realized our organizations needed each other. Tom felt like a ship without its cargo. And we felt like cargo without a ship." For a free copy of The Amazing Gospel, write to the Gospel Tract Society at 1105 S. Fuller St., Independence MO 64050-4221 USA. [SOURCE: Crosswind Comics, 1 March 2007]
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Big Christian Comics/Manga Push in Indonesia
The rights to a number of US and Japanese titles have been acquired by JoyToLearn in Indonesia. Publisher Janto Djaja reports, "There are very few Christian comics in the market. So we will be the first to push Christian comics in a bigger way." They will be releasing the Alias Comics titles David and His Mighty Men and Daniel in March, volume 1 of the Realbuzz Studios manga Serenity, and the Japanese E-Comix title Fukemon (The Fool) and others in April. Mr. Djaja adds that they are still interested in additional titles, "especially girl’s comics as they are the ones that enjoy comics very much in Indonesia." [SOURCE: JoyToLearn Publishing, 1 March 2007] |
Winner Named in the Spanish Christian Comics Competition
The 16-page comic "Eternidad" by Ivan Emilio Tapia Camargo of Mexico has been chosen as the prize winner by the judges for the Concurso de historietas cristianas en español. The comics "Hechiceria" by Eduardo Enrique 'Khato' Compdepadrós of Argentina and "El Encuentro" by José Carlos Gutiérrez Martinez of Mexico have both received Honorable Mentions in the Competition. Publishing plans for "Eternidad" are under discussion and will be announced later on the Concurso de historietas cristianas en español web page. [SOURCE: COMIX35, 27 February 2007] |
And Here's Another New Comic Book Bible
Thomas Nelson's division for children, Tommy Nelson, has published a verse-by-verse, comic book-style version of Genesis, Exodus, the four Gospels and Acts in seven separate paperback editions ranging from 96 to 160 pages. This month the NT books were released as a 640-page hardcover entitled The Illustrated Bible: Complete New Testament. Artwork is by Keith Neely. Nelson is promoting it as "The only illustrated New Testament in unique storyboard frame-by-frame illustrations using the full ICB text." All eight editions are available now through the Christian Comics Catalog. [SOURCE: Thomas Nelson web site, February 2007] |
Book by UK Comics Producer In Response to Terrorism
Ed Morris of the Edge Group UK (who are the folks behind many Christian comics over the years, including Behold 3-D, Journey Into Life, The Graphic Bible, and YUN: The Illustrated Story of the Heavenly Man) has written a book entitled TERROR REST. A response to the attacks in England on 7/7 and the USA on 9/11, this 192-page hardback book features "stories taken from history and scripture, featuring statesmen, soldiers and ordinary folk who have found God true to the strong promises contained in Psalm 91." Author Morris says he "is convinced that meditating on the teaching of this psalm is good preparation for future threats of whatever nature." TERROR REST is published by Highland Books. [SOURCE: The Edge Group UK, 27 February 2007] |
Student Allowed to Hand Out TTFY Bibles
A principal at a North Carolina USA elementary school has admitted that he and a teacher were wrong to stop a student from giving copies of The Truth for Youth Bible as Valentine's Day gifts to his classmates. The student, Adam Prevette of Wilkesboro, was twice prevented from giving the Bibles to his friends during noninstructional time, and his parents were also told that the school would not allow it. The family contacted Liberty Counsel in Orlando, Florida USA and received assurance that Adam had the right to pass out the Bibles. Mathew D. Staver, Founder of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law, commented: "Students have a constitutional right to give Bibles to their friends on Valentine's Day while other students are giving out cards. Students are not hostages of public schools. They have the right to share their opinions, whether written or spoken, during noninstructional time, which includes before and after school, between classes, during lunch and at recess." Please pray for Adam as he takes a stand for God on his public school campus. The Truth for Youth Bible contains 100 pages of color comics, designed to teach moral values to youth, along with the entire text of the New Testament. [SOURCES: Liberty Counsel PR department and Tim Todd Revival Fires Ministries, 23 February 2007]
| UPDATE: TTFY publisher Tim Todd reports, "As a result of this confrontation, Alyssa, an eighth grader who was given one of the Bibles, gave it to a friend at another school. Her friend gave her life to Jesus Christ. Now Alyssa and her friend are going to start a Bible Club at their school and 8 teachers are wanting to get involved in this. We know all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose." [SOURCE: Tim Todd Revival Fires Ministries, 26 February 2007] |
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Undercurrent Comics Takes Break, Needs Prayer
The cofounder of UK-based | | |
