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Best-Selling Christian Comics in 2009
The 5 top-selling titles for this year in the Christian Comics Catalog are (in order) Manga Mutiny, The Picture Bible hardcover edition, Manga Messiah, The Picture Bible paperback edition, and The Lion Graphic Bible: The Whole Story from Genesis to Revelation paperback, according to the COMIX35 ministry. All five titles may be viewed on the Current Bestsellers in the CCCatalog web page. The ministry also reports that the Spanish edition of Manga Messiah, El Mesias: Historietas Manga, came in very close behind the others despite the fact that the publisher, American Bible Society, chose to discontinue the title earlier this year. Currently COMIX35 administers and maintains the Christian Comics Catalog as a ministry service and fundraiser. [SOURCE: COMIX35, 30 December 2009] |
Head Press Acquires Literary Agent
Literary agency and author management company D.C. Jacobson & Associates has signed a representation contract with graphic novelist Robert James Luedke of Head Press Publishing. Luedke has authored, illustrated and self-published 3 Eye Witness graphic novels and is working on a fourth. "We see in the rising popularity of graphic novels and manga an opportunity to bring faith-based perspectives to this often dark genre," says company president Don Jacobson, former owner of Multnomah Publishers. "We are very pleased to partner with Robert, who's proven to be one of the preeminent Christian graphic novelists in the U.S." After completing the final book in his series, Luedke will undertake a nationwide promotional tour in the summer of 2010. Following that he will work on the Eye Witness omnibus edition which will collect all 4 volumes and additional unpublished material. [SOURCE: Head Press Publishing, 22 December 2009] |
Kolka Creates Current Cardinal Comic
Cartoonist Kurt Kolka has been interviewed by Interlochen Public Radio about his long-running Christian comic feature The Cardinal. Kolka has a brand-new comic book in print, The Cardinal Special Edition #1, in which he "takes his hero in a bold new direction." The new edition is a 32-page pamphlet-style comic in black & white with gray-tone shading. It's available for purchase through Community Comics. "My goal in this is not to just create another super-hero strip," says Kolka. "My hope is that these stories will not just quicken your pulse, but also touch your heart." Kolka will be signing copies of his new comic at the Motor City Comic Con in May 2010. New Cardinal adventures in color are available online, updated weekly. [SOURCE: Kurt Kolka's Facebook page and website, 21 December 2009] |
Comics Ministry Selects Potential Leader
José Carlos Gutiérrez of Mexico DF, MEXICO, has been chosen as COMIX35's first "Timothy/Joshua" at the Christian comics ministry's annual board meeting in November. Gutiérrez's starting title/position is Ministry Communications and Support, but he will be mentored by current President Nate Butler to take his place eventually. In addition to having skills as a cartoonist and graphic designer, Gutiérrez has worked as a Bible-based recovery program facilitator for youth, has served in non-profit organizations that assist street kids, and is a leader of his church youth group along with his wife, Soraya. Gutiérrez became connected to the COMIX35 ministry through the first International Christian Comics Competition in 2005 in which he was the 1st Prize winner in the Amateur Division. As a result, he began working professionally in comics production in Mexico. He also received an Honorable Mention in COMIX35's Spanish Christian Comics Competition in 2006. [SOURCE: COMIX35, 18 December 2009] |
Learn Cartooning and Animation in Asia
Plans are firming up for the Youth With A Mission (YWAM) School of Cartooning and Animation for Missions in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2010. It will be a 6-month (5 July - 17 December), 2nd-level school (YWAM Discipleship Training School is a prerequisite). The course will be devoted to training students in using cartoons, comics, anime, and animated media to communicate the Gospel in culturally relevant ways. "Cartoons and animation can be powerful tools, especially in Asia where people line up to buy comic books," says cartoonist and missionary Dave Hudson, the school organizer. "Cartoons have a special way of opening doors that would otherwise be closed." Following a 3-month lecture phase, students will have a 4-week field assignment researching an unreached people group in their environment and developing evangelistic cartoon and animation materials for them. The remaining 2 months will be used to complete the materials and explore methods of publication and distribution. [SOURCE: Dave Hudson, 2 December 2009] |
Logosdor Honors Aussie Comics Legend
Logosdor's 2009 Update Magazine #3 features a full page, full color letter from Creative Director Simon Hood noting the passing of Australian cartoonist and illustrator Graham Wade earlier this year. Hood describes Wade as "a mentor, a friend, a role model, an encourager, a creative genius, a shoulder to cry on, someone to bounce ideas off of, and a huge contributor to Logosdor from the very early days." Hood notes that Wade was recording and drawing for the company right up until shortly before his death. He is also described as "the last of the three great 'W's of children's ministry in Sydney - Paul White, Clifford Warne, and Graham Wade." To further honor him, the Logosdor website has a dedicated library featuring many resources Wade created. [SOURCE: Logosdor, 30 November 2009] |
New Comic for Mobile Platform
The Jesus Comic by UK-based Jason Ramasami is "a basic introduction to the eyewitness accounts of Jesus' life in the Bible." Ramasami's new project will tell the story of Jesus visually on the iPhone/iTouch platform. Currently the comic is in the beta testing stage. Ramasami is planning for it to be released soon. A recent tweet on the Jesus Comic Twitter page reports, "We wait and see whether Apple will approve the jesuscomic sometime this week. Unknown territory." The Jesus Comic website offers "tasters" of Chapter 2 and Chapter 6 of the comic. [SOURCE: The Jesus Comic Twitter page, 29 November 2009] |
Animated Style Book Called "A New Classic"
Editorial Portavoz has released El burrito de Belén, a new Spanish language version of Clopper, the Christmas Donkey. The original version in English was released by Kregel Publications in 2003 and has been a best-seller for the past 5 Christmas seasons. The 32-page book is for ages 4-8 and tells the story of Jesus' life from the perspective of the family's donkey. There are two other English books in the "Clopper" series, and all are illustrated by animation artist/director Ed Olson in California USA. Olson is a 25-year veteran in media production for companies such as Walt Disney Feature Animation, Warner Bros., Sony, and Sega. [SOURCES: Ed Olson and Christian Retailing Magazine, 9 November 2009] |
Comic Book Bible Reviewed
Recently the Christian Children's Book Review featured the new edition of The Comic Book Bible, written and illustrated by cartoonist Rob Suggs. "The selection of Bible stories is extensive, and each one is told in roughly four pages," says reviewer Robin Baskette. "The comic book format really appealed to my boys, and I'd find them flipping through the pages with no prompting from me." The publisher suggests the book is for ages 8 to 12, "although I think the comic book style appeals to an even younger audience," Baskette adds. "A non-reader would enjoy it with a parent, so I'd say ages 5 to 10." The 263-page book is published by Barbour, a company with an extensive history of producing Christian comics material. [SOURCE: Christian Children's Book Review, 3 November 2009] |
Christian Comics Pioneer to Retire
The director of the French publication Tournesol, one of the longest-running Christian comics in the world, will be retiring next month. Swiss comics producer Jefko (Jean-Frédéric Kohler) has been in charge of the magazine since 1984. Ligue pour la Lecture de la Bible (LLB) in Valence, France, began publishing Tournesol in October 1960. Jefko was recruited by the previous director, Claude Gaasch, after Gaasch saw comics pages Jefko had published in various Christian magazines for teenagers. Jefko illustrated two Aventure de Marc Alban comic albums in 1979 and 1983, both published by LLB, and co-written by Gaasch. Since he began to oversee operations at Tournesol Jefko has worked as its editor as well as on graphic design and lay out. [SOURCE: Philippe Hochet at LLB, 2 November 2009] |
Rare Estonian Comic Released
Christian cartoonist Joonas Sildre from Tartu, Estonia, has published Maailma Naba, his first comic book. "Comic book publishing is a not too common event in Estonia," says Sildre. The comic title translate as World's Belly Button and is a "comical story for kids." The story is about "finding something that's hidden and yet most important thing on Earth." Sildre adds, "So, you can read into it somewhat of a Christian allegory, influenced by faith." Sildre is translating the comic to English currently. Sildre and his wife Elina have had their comics published in both of the International Christian Comics Competition books. [SOURCE: Joonas Sildre, 8 October 2009] |
Manga Series Finds A Home
Serenity, the popular Christian manga-style series, is now at Snokie, a new publishing venture established by creator Buzz Dixon. Snokie will specialize in online and print-on-demand (POD) titles. "We're going to start 'Serenity Sundays,'" says Dixon. "Every Sunday we'll post online a free 15-page chapter from the original 10 Serenity graphic novels." Snokie will offer free downloads of lesson plans for ministers and Sunday school teachers who might wish to use Serenity and other Snokie stories to help illustrate Biblical points. Snokie will also publish Hits & Misses, a 480-page girls sports story that twice had been in the printing queue with a major publisher only to get called back at the last moment. Snokie titles will be sold exclusively online through Amazon as both POD volumes and Kindle downloads. Currently Snokie has a beta-blog online and Twitter account and plans to launch their main website in November. [SOURCE: Buzz Dixon, 5 October 2009] |
Comics "Invade" Church in Switzerland
Bestselling Swiss cartoonist Alain Auderset has moved into an abandoned 19th century church structure and transformed it into an artists' workshop in Saint-Imier. The building is now filled with plants, "big graffiti," and a permanent exhibition of Auderset's drawings from his 5 published comic albums. "This old church, invaded by comic books, has a natural charm," explains Auderset. "I share these premises with artists from other fields. It motivates me and gives its particular hue to this place." During Auderset's recent all-day Open House event, his entire local church family was mobilized to be tour guides, serve food, manage traffic and parking, sell Auderset's comics, and operate a gigantic trampoline device. Other entertainment included a concert by the band Saahsal in which Auderset plays guitar and his wife Eliane sings. Various media representatives were present for the whole day. "When I saw all this, I remembered my beginnings of drawing cartoons ... the mocking of people who didn't believe that a Christian comic book can have some success. Now this workshop is a strong tower from a mighty invisible Kingdom," says Auderset. "It is worth it to persevere in the Lord. To Him alone be the glory!" [SOURCE: Alain Auderset, 3 October 2009] |
More Manga in Uganda
Through the sponsorship of Bible League, Canada, and in partnership with the Church of Uganda, NEXT Inc has now distributed 780,000 of a planned 800,000 copies of Manga Messiah in Uganda. The books have been circulated through schools primarily but also via churches and ministry organizations. During a recent trip to Uganda Roald Lidal of NEXT visited five schools and was "overwhelmed by the impact the books are actually having." One of the Ugandan distributors told Lidal: "The children don't have any Bibles and most of their parents don't either, so Manga Messiah becomes their Bible. The children often teach their parents, so the books often have a great influence, not only on the children but on their families and communities." Lidal notes that Muslims have a 40-year goal of turning Uganda into an Islamic nation and counts it a privilege to be able to help counteract this with Manga Messiah. "If families are changed, communities will change," he observes. "If communities are changed, the nation will change as well." Lidal also met with ministry leaders from other African nations including one who is interested in using the books in Southern Sudan. [SOURCE: NEXT, 1 October 2009] |
Clash Comics for Christian Teens, Tweens
Clash Entertainment Inc of Wichita, Kansas USA plans to launch an entertainment/portal website in June 2010. Their goal is to have a site that is "so rich and deep with entertaining media that teens will want to visit and stay for sustained amounts of time." The site will be updated daily with fresh content that will include comics. When the site goes live there will be over 6 months of accumulated content, so teens will have a lot to explore from the start. Clash plans to publish comics "that have a Christian component or that are family-friendly and produced by Christian creatives." They will have new comics each day of the week, "Sneak Peeks" of new comics, previously-published Christian comics, and links to other Christian comics sites. "We have a passion for Christian teens," says Ken Raney, president of Clash. "We want to see to it that they have entertaining media available to them that doesn't undermine their faith." Currently Clash has a Clash Creative Portfolio showing some comics that will be featured on the site next year including features by Christian pros such as Roland Mann and Jonathan Koelsch. [SOURCE: Clash Entertainment, 25 September 2009] |
COMIX35 Selects First "Timothy/Joshua" Candidate
Cartoonist and graphic designer José Carlos Gutiérrez of Mexico City, Mexico, has been invited to COMIX35's Annual Board Meeting in November. He is the first candidate chosen in the ministry's on-going search for future leaders known as the "Timothys & Joshuas / Marthas & Priscillas" Project. Gutiérrez was the 1st Prize winner in the Amateur Division of the first International Christian Comics Competition in 2005 and was able to turn professional as a result. He also received an Honorable Mention in the Spanish Christian Comics Competition in 2006. More recently he organized a team of cartoonists to produce monthly comics for the Christian magazine Prisma in Mexico. "José Carlos has shown considerable enthusiasm, interest, and initiative in tackling Christian comics projects," says COMIX35 President Nate Butler. "I'm excited about the prospect of him working with us and the potential he'll bring for ministry expansion in Latin America." Gutiérrez's wife Soraya will attend the meeting with him. [SOURCE: COMIX35, 25 September 2009] |
Currently Conceived Creationist Comics
Two new comics contrasting Creation Science and the Theory of Evolution have been produced in India and France. The East Indian illustration studio Sona&Jacob has released Revisiting Reason as a 78-page Graphic Novel in e-book form, while French artist Audrey Ragonnaud has published Tell Me About The Bible as a 17-page comic available as an e-book or in print. "As firm believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Word of God, we believe in the literal 7-day creation as described in Genesis," Sona&Jacob reports. "We are alarmed and increasingly distressed by the spread of the evolutionary philosophy in all spheres of life ... It seems a not-so-distant possibility that evolution and its offshoot philosophies will emerge as the religion that unites an increasingly disobedient and rebellious generation." Following the initial release of their GN, Sona&Jacob received valuable feedback from other Christian cartoonists who are also involved in Creation Science work, and the publisher plans to issue a revised edition of Revisiting Reason later. It will also become available as an iphone application eventually. Ragonnaud's Tell Me About The Bible comic features a Christian girl named Charlotte "who preaches the Gospel to all her friends" accompanied her dog Chouquette. The first story "shows that the Word of God is more powerful than all false theories of this world." Both Revisiting Reason and Tell Me About The Bible are in English with color covers and black & white interiors. [SOURCES: Sona&Jacob and Audrey Ragonnaud, 24 September 2009] |
News/Needs Added to Animation Site
COMIX35 has incorporated a new "News & Needs" page into the ministry's ANIMAX35 website as a service to Christian animators. The page will cover news about Christian-themed animations or present "needs" related to Christian-oriented projects. There will also be some general reporting of activities by Christians in the animation industry. Animators cited in the first listings include Cedric Hohnstadt, a character designer on the 3-2-1 Penguins! series, and Lon Waitman, a winner in the Animations for Web & Mobile Devices Competition in 2006. There is no charge for approved listings. [SOURCE: COMIX35, 23 September 2009] |
Dragon GN Adapted by International Team
A new Chasing the Dragon graphic novel is scheduled to be released in March 2010. This latest version of the well-known autobiography of Protestant missionary Jackie Pullinger is being adapted into comics format by Chris Spencer in England and Toto Winarno of Indonesia. Spencer is a veteran scriptwriter who learned his craft on the classic British comic publications Eagle and TV21. Winarno has been drawing comics since 1992 and does illustration work for a number of international clients. The Chasing the Dragon graphic novel was developed by the Edge Group UK which has been instrumental in the publication of many Christian comics over the years such as Behold 3-D, The Graphic Bible, and YUN: The Illustrated Story of the Heavenly Man. More information on Jackie Pullinger's ministry in Hong Kong may be found at the St. Stephen's Society website. [SOURCES: Amazon.co.uk, Edge Group UK, and Toto Winarno, 18 September 2009] |
Manga-ka Interview May Be Viewed Online
Comic creator Kozumi ("Kelly") Shinozawa, illustrator of Manga Messiah and writer/artist of Manga Metamorphosis, was interviewed during the summer by Harvest Time Ministries, the largest producer of Christian television programming in Japan. The video has been shown in the USA in New York, Los Angeles, and Hawaii and also in Finland. During the half-hour program Shinozawa San gives a short tour of her home and office, explains how she develops her manga, and relates her moving testimony. At the end of the broadcast Rev. Kenichi Nakagawa, founder and president of Harvest Time, teaches on "Three Aspects of Salvation" relating it to Shinozawa San's story. The program is in Japanese with English subtitles and may be viewed at the Harvest Internet TV website. [SOURCE: Kozumi Shinozawa, 17 September 2009] |
Order Comics & Cartoon Tracts Now for Oct. 31st
Once again it's time to start planning Halloween outreach efforts and gathering resources for that night. Barna Research reports that 85% of all Christians make their faith commitment between the ages of 5-14 which means that Halloween provides an ideal time for witnessing. Sources with a variety of cartoon tracts for Halloween include the American Tract Society, Chick Publications, Good News Publishers, and Community Comics, all based in the USA. Individual publications that would be appropriate include the Hairy Polarity and the Sinister Sorcery Satire comic book on the dangers of sorcery and witchcraft published by The Truth For Youth Ministry in Louisiana USA and the comic booklet A Paraman Halloween Story which may be obtained by contacting writer/artist Eric Jansen in California USA. Lambman: The Light of the World!, published by Piquant Editions in the UK, contains "monster" images which might make it an appropriate hand-out that night, too. Other tracts and comic booklets that are not specifically created for Halloween but could be effective witnessing tools are available from A New Thing Outreach Ministries in Canada, Anglican Youthworks in Australia, and Literature Ministries International in Texas USA. Tracts and comics should be ordered now to guarantee on-time delivery especially materials ordered from overseas publishers. [SOURCES: Various catalogs and websites, 14 September 2009] |
Romanian Artist is Drawn to Kenya
Cartoonist Radu ("Clear") Cletiu of Timisoara, Romania, reports that he has "fulfilled his vision for a mission trip to Africa this year." Cletiu traveled to the Kibera Slum near Nairobi, Kenya. "There I served in the local church where I preached and drew," he says. "They liked the way God used my skills." Cletiu has had cartoons and caricatures published since 1980. His caricature drawing was featured weekly for several years in the 1990s on a Romanian television program. In 2005, at the Salon de Caricature in Saint-Just-le-Martel, France, he set a record by drawing 137 cartoons live in one hour. One of Cletiu's comics appears in the 2nd International Christian Comics Competition book. [SOURCE: Radu Cletiu, 9 September 2009] |
Cartooning Legend Dies in Sydney
Australian Graham Wade, who illustrated the internationally popular Jungle Doctor series and was a senior member of the wolrdwide Christian comics community, has died at the age of 78. Wade began drawing Christian comics in the 1950's and was still producing titles that were sales successes in 2008. "This guy, through his God-given gifts, touched the lives of thousands of folk all over the world," says Aussie writer and friend Wal Spencer. Australian cartoonist/animator Phil Watson adds that Wade was a "comic legend" and "one of my real life heroes." Wade was responsible for bringing two very successful COMIX35 seminars to Sydney in 1998 and 2006 and was involved with COMIX35's International Christian Comics Competitions. "Graham was a true giant in the world of Christian comics and publishing," says Nate Butler, president of COMIX35. "It was an honor and an amazing blessing to work with him, and I thank the Lord for that opportunity." Funeral services will be held at St. Thomas’ Anglican Church North Sydney at 1:30 PM on Tuesday 1 September. Please pray for Wade's wife, Ilda, and his children and grandchildren. [SOURCES: Wal Spencer, Phil Watson, COMIX35, and the Sydney Anglicans and Christian Today Australia websites, 25 August 2009] |
Comics Creator to Coach in Kenya
French bande dessinée artist Didier Millotte will lead a comics and graphic novel workshop on "Principles for scenario writing and drawing" at the LittWorld2009 World Conference of Christian Publishing in Kenya, East Africa. After a childhood of "rejection, contempt and fear" and teen years that were "very disturbed, very unbalanced, very unhappy," Millotte met Jesus Christ when he was 18. Later he decided to become an author of comics. Now 17 of his books have been published. "Because of my childhood, I thought I could do nothing, that I was zero," Millotte says. "But God taught me that I had a great value and a lot of talent, because He had created it ... I try to put this positive and encouraging vision of life in my comics." LittWorld2009 is scheduled for 1-6 November at the Brackenhurst International Conference Centre, northwest of Nairobi. Over 150 Christian writers, editors, and publishers from numerous countries are expected to attend. [SOURCES: Didier Millotte and MAI, 7 August 2009] |
Manga Video Winners Receive Prize Books
Exclusive "gold" editions of the Manga Messiah graphic novel have been shipped from Japan to the three winners in the Manga Messiah Video Competition – Percy Cesar Mamani Vilca of Peru, Kevin Schulthies of Canada, and Yanette Scott of Texas USA. The prize books are special limited-run hardcover versions of the popular graphic novel with gold foil-stamping of the title and the winner's name plus an original signed drawing on the first page by Manga Messiah artist Kozumi Shinozawa. The three winning videos are still viewable on YouTube. One entry, entitled the Messiah Manga Outreach Awareness Video, is about the distribution of more than 1,300 copies of the Manga Messiah graphic novel in Karuizawa, Japan last December. The other videos are Manga Messiah: Ever Day and one simply titled Manga Messiah. [SOURCE: NEXT, 4 August 2009] |
Interviews of International Comics Ministry
COMIX35 President Nate Butler appeared in a 6-minute segment talking about the worldwide Christian comics ministry on the 31 July broadcast of the "Focus 4" program. The interview was conducted "live" via the Internet by Ron Hembree, President of Cornerstone TeleVision in Wall, Pennsylvania USA. It may be viewed online in Cornerstone's Video Archive, appearing shortly after the 30-minute mark of the broadcast. Butler was interviewed the same day by veteran news director Frank Haley of KKIM, the oldest Christian radio station in New Mexico USA, on the half-hour program "Haley's Comments." The radio interview, in which Butler gave his testimony and discussed the worldwide popularity of comics such as Japanese manga, aired twice during following the weekend. [SOURCES: COMIX35 and the Cornerstone TeleVision and KKIM websites, 3 August 2009] |
Unusual GN Project from UK
A 12-page cartoon booklet entitled Lambman: The Light of the World!, published by Piquant Editions in January 2007, is being expanded into a Graphic Novel-length version. Illustrated in "bright and stimulating contemporary visual language" by Scottish artist "Dr. Simpo," Lambman: The Light of the World! relates "the story of Jesus, the seven-eyed seven-horned Lambman, who defeats darkness and the creatures of the dark with his bright band of helpful beasties to bring colour into the grey old world." The booklet contains no words and is aimed at "primary-aged children." Reportedly the GN version will use some words and may be intended for an older audience. The 12-page booklet edition of Lambman: The Light of the World! is available online through the Christian Comics Catalog. [SOURCE: A contact at the International Christian Retail Show in Denver earlier this month, 27 July 2009] |
Christian Manga-ka Invited to Finland - UPDATE
The Finnish Bible Society (FBS) reports that their appearance at Finncon2009 "went really well ... especially as it was our first time at this event and we represented a different perspective than most." Japanese comic artist Kozumi ("Kelly") Shinozawa, illustrator of Manga Messiah, was flown to Helsinki to participate in the manga-anime event. "People were really impressed by Kelly-san's work," says Outi Lievonen of the FBS. "They appreciated her friendliness and openness." The FBS was thanked and complimented repeatedly for bringing something "different and exciting" to the exhibition and was praised for having one of the best booths. A local TV program filmed the booth activities, and Shinozawa-san was interviewed by several Christian magazines and newspapers. "We sold 140 Finnish Manga Messias plus foreign (English) copies of Manga Messiah and Manga Metamorphosis," adds Lievonen. "According to the organizer this is a significant amount for a first timer." The English-language editions of Manga Messiah and Manga Metamorphosis are available online through the Christian Comics Catalog. [SOURCE: NEXT and the Finnish Bible Society, 14 July 2009] |
Book of Hope Becomes OneHope
To reflect their ministry’s expanded approach to Scripture delivery, Florida USA based Book of Hope has changed its name to OneHope. "For years, we were primarily a print ministry," reports Blake Silverstrom, North American Regional Director for OneHope. "But it became very apparent to us that in order to reach every child and youth with God’s Word we needed to go beyond the printed word." Founded in 1987, OneHope has distributed their Book of Hope in over 120 countries, translated into more than 70 distinct languages. Among the various printed versions of the book is an "Animation Edition" with "anime" style illustrations. OneHope is also the producer of The Godman animated movie, a "computer-generated photo-realistic animation version of the Book of Hope which tells the life story of Jesus." It has been dubbed in over 38 languages. "The GodMan was the beginning of our journey into multi-media opportunities in our continued effort to reach kids in mediums and languages that they understand," says Silverstrom. As part of that effort, Silverstrom has joined the Board of Directors of NEXT Inc., producers of Biblically-based Manga materials. [SOURCES: OneHope and ECPA Rush to Press, 7 July 2009] |
Christian Comics Created in Kerala
Publisher George Koshy of Kerala, India has produced a comic book he says "was the first of its kind" in his country and "was well-received by children and their parents." The comic by Koshy and his artist, Shaji Mathew, is a collection of five new 5-page stories starring the character "Uncle Fanny." Each of the stories "deal with a particular issue like Consequences of sin, Reading the Bible, God loves you, etc.," Koshy reports. After each comic story there are another 5 pages of activities to reinforce the subject and ensure that it is clear to the readers. "We are planning some follow-up for this book since it was well-received in the market," Koshy continues. In addition Koshy has the first issue of a new cartoon magazine ready to go to press. Before founding his own publishing company, Koshy had been involved in secular children's publishing for years and received guidance from the editor of Tinkle, India's largest-selling comic magazine. During that time Koshy decided "to use the effectiveness of comix for the glory of our Lord." A 4-page comic featuring Koshy's "Uncle Fanny" character won 2nd Place in the People's Choice Voting in the 2nd International Christian Comics Competition. [SOURCE: George Koshy, 3 July 2009] |
CCAS Back at San Diego Comic-Con
The Christian Comic Arts Society (CCAS) continues their annual presence and activities at the Comic-Con International in San Diego, California USA this year. CCAS will be at table #M12 in the Small Press Section and is sponsoring two panels once again. The "Spirituality in Comics" panel will be held on Saturday 25 July, moderated by Scott Shuford of CCAS. Serenity manga creator/writer Buzz Dixon will moderate a "Christian Comics" panel on Sunday 26 July. A short sermon and worship music will precede the Sunday panel discussion. In addition, Christian comics fans, amateurs and professionals are invited to assemble "for an informal time of after-hours fun and fellowship" on Saturday evening when Ralph Miley and Kevin Yong of CCAS will host a "Christian Comics Fellowship Hour." [SOURCE: Ralph Miley of CCAS, 3 July 2009] |
The Gospel According to Robots - UPDATE
A church youth group in West Texas USA distributed copies of the "Betrayed!" tract at their local movie theater during the opening week of the "Transformers 2" film. The new full-color comics-style tract features "transforming robots" in a short story that "vividly illustrates Christ's sacrifice through the hero's willing death for a disloyal subject." Pastor Buddy Payne of First United Methodist Church (FUMC) in Snyder reports: "We probably handed out about 160 or more tracts in just 10 to 15 minutes. Several stopped to hear the whole story about the tract. They listened to me and really listened to the youth. Many thanked us for the tracts. God works in wonderful ways, does He not?" The tract was produced by the COMIX35 ministry in partnership with Literature Ministries International (LMI) in Greenville, TX. "We were able to tell people on the way to see 'Transformers' all about the Great Transformer, Jesus," Pastor Payne adds. "And the 'Betrayed!' tracts made it so much easier!" Other pastors and youth groups wishing to distribute the "Betrayed!" tracts at local theaters may order them online at the LMI website. [SOURCE: Pastor Buddy Payne, FUMC Snyder, 2 July 2009] |
Equipping the Church in Francophone Africa
Greg Burgess, publisher of Editions Clé in Lyon, France, has been publishing 2-page comics in the pan-African youth magazine Jouv Afrique ("African Youth") once every quarter. The magazine "strives to edify young Christians, evangelize non-Christians, publish African authors, provide culturally relevant articles that address African societal questions and give a voice to African youth." Two-thirds of the population in French-speaking Africa is 25 years old or younger, and the overwhelming majority of French-speaking Christians live in Africa – more than 20 million. Two African publishers, Centre de Publications Evangéliques in Côte d'Ivoire and Livr’Afrique, are partnering with Editions Clé to distribute the magazine to many of the biggest urban centers across the region. Burgess has more comics-related plans to reach Christian youth in sub-Saharan African countries. "I am currently working with an African author and an African illustrator on a 32-page graphic novel," he reports. [SOURCES: Editions Clé and MAI, 26 June 2009] |
Hudsons Continue Asian Outreach
Christian cartoonist and missionary Dave Hudson and his wife Wendy have joined the Create International Thailand team in Chiang Mai after serving for 10 years in China. Create International is a ministry of Youth With A Mission (YWAM) producing contextual evangelistic and church-planting media for unreached peoples. Recently Hudson completed a 5-minute animated presentation of the Gospel as part of a film for an unreached people group in Southern China. In July 2010 the Hudsons plan to run a new 6-month YWAM school for cartoonists who want to do outreach through cartoons and animation. A YWAM Discipleship Training School (DTS) is a prerequisite for this course. For a print or digital subscription to the Hudsons' quarterly comics-style newsletter "A Thousand Words," contact them through the Hudson website. [SOURCE: Dave Hudson, 22 June 2009] |
Bible Comics Shipped to Millions in India
David C. Cook in Colorado USA has delivered copies of a 128-page color portion of their Picture New Testament for over 2 million children in evangelistic clubs this summer across India. Cook reports that "This project is complete and funded." The portions are from Cook's best-selling Picture Bible originally published as a series called "Our Bible in Pictures" in their Sunday PIX curriculum launched in the late 1950s. Christian Comics Pioneer Iva Hoth wrote the original text. The first complete, full-color New Testament version was published in 1978. The Picture Bible, or some portion of it, has been translated into over 130 languages with many millions of copies distributed worldwide. [SOURCES: David C. Cook's June International Ministry Progress Report and Cook staffers, 19 June 2009] |
Tract Distributors Sentenced for 'Sedition'
According to a recent article in the Straits Times, a Christian couple in Singapore, Ong Kian Cheong and Dorothy Chan Hien Leng, have received an 8-week jail sentence for possessing "seditious or objectionable evangelical Christian tracts" and distributing them to Muslims in 2007. The District Judge decided on a jail term, even though a fine was allowed for under the law, but did not impose the maximum penalty urged by the prosecution – 3 years in jail for a first offender. This was the country's first trial under the Sedition Act which is "designed to punish those who stir up feelings of ill-will and hostility between different races or classes of the population of Singapore." Although the article did not identify the type of tracts a Straits Times News Desk reporter confirmed by e-mail that they were comics-style tracts from Chick Publications. An article found on the Chick website reports the couple had been distributing a tract entitled The Little Bride. Both Chick tracts and the Chick website are banned in Singapore. The couple have appealed their conviction and are out on bail currently. [SOURCES: The Straits Times website, a News Desk reporter, and the Chick Publications website, 18 June 2009] |
Publisher Presents More Glory to God
Christian comics writer/illustrator/publisher Alec Stevens has announced that his newest release from Calvary Comics is a 100-page black and white anthology entitled Glory to God. Stevens had published two 28-page Glory to God comic books in 2000 and 2001. The new book reprints those titles along with 40 pages of additional material in a single volume. Included among the 12 contributing artists are Sergio Cariello, Andre Szymanowicz, and Lee Weeks. "This perfectbound comics anthology features stories from the Bible, historical accounts (Reformation era), stories behind famous hymns, and modern-day testimonies (authorized) of great men of God from various nations," Stevens reports. A preview of the covers and some interior pages by Stevens can be viewed on the Calvary Comics website. Based in New Jersey USA, Stevens has also produced the graphic novels Sadhu Sundar Singh and Erlo Stegen and the Revival Among the Zulus as well as the biography/cartoon collection E. J. Pace: Christian Cartoonist. [SOURCE: Alec Stevens, 16 June 2009] |
Eye Witness Heads to Digital
Head Press Publishing (HPP), based in Texas USA, is offering "a fully re-mastered and revised edition" of their original graphic novel Eye Witness, A Fictional Tale of Absolute Truth. "This is our first attempt at creating something specifically for digital distribution," says series creator Robert Luedke. "Now virtually anyone with a computer and PDF viewer can purchase and read the first book in the series." Initially, the revised edition of Eye Witness Book One will be available exclusively through the HPP website, but the publisher reports they are "in negotiations to make it available through other select comic and Christian venues in the future, as well through other digital applications and formats." The fourth and final book in the Eye Witness tetralogy, Eye Witness: Unknown God, is in production and tentatively scheduled for a summer 2010 release. [SOURCE: Head Press Publishing, 7 June 2009] |
New Things From 'A New Thing'
A New Thing Outreach Ministries Inc. (ANTOMI) in Ontario Canada plans to reprint another 3 classic cartoon tracts as soon as they have raised the needed funding. "I am excited about one of the reprints which is based on the story of Sammy Hall," says Erik Fountas of ANTOMI. The other two tracts will be Could This Be You? (about Salvation Army founder William Booth) and Here's Happiness. Additional project plans include development of an all-new biographical tract. ANTOMI has already reprinted several popular titles originally produced by Life Messengers in Washington State USA. These tracts, including Have You Been Brainwashed? by Fred Basher and The Lonely Cabin on the 40-Mile by Deryl Skelton, are available through their online store. Photos of these tracts being distributed can be viewed on the ANTOMI Facebook page. [SOURCE: A New Thing Outreach Ministries Inc., 6 June 2009] |
Husband/Wife Team-Up Works Well
A new weekly web strip entitled Best Mann For The Job is being produced by crime fiction writer Chris Well and comics veteran Erica Well of Tennessee USA. The comic stars Grace Mann, "a woman with a complicated past," who has returned home to be her small town's new sheriff. "We like to think of it as a cross between a rural Dick Tracy and Gasoline Alley," explains Chris, who co-writes the series with wife/artist Erica, a former staffer for DC Comics and creator of The Miller Sisters comic strip. "Not only is Grace the new sheriff, her dad is the town minister and her mom will soon run for mayor," Chris adds. "As the series progresses, we hope to explore the friction that can happen among the three offices -- the law, the church, and the state." In addition to the Best Mann website, there is also a Best Mann fan page on Facebook. [SOURCE: Chris Well, 5 June 2009] |
| UPDATE: Studio Well has created a video trailer on YouTube to introduce the concept and characters of their comic strip to new readers. 11 June 2009 |
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Kerrick's Comics Shift to Cyberspace
The complete Empire series by Christine Kerrick of Florida USA is now available on the Wowio "Free Books" website. The first two titles, The Vanishing and Antichrist, are 36-page comic books, and the third and fourth titles, The Return and Diary of Hope, are 60-page graphic novels. All may be read online for free or may be downloaded as PDF files for a small fee. The comic series tells the story of Hope, "a young woman with all the answers [who is] more comfortable in her misery than in listening [when] her grandfather tries to tell her of a terrible time that is coming on the earth." After her grandfather and millions of people around the world disappear, Hope "uncovers frightening things about recent global events, including the truth about the new Global Prime Minister." Kerrick's Empire series was first released at the San Diego Comic-Con in 1998. [SOURCE: Christine Kerrick, 2 June 2009] |
Z-Graphic Novel Production Perseveres
The Zonderkidz division of Zondervan continues to publish new editions of their 6 Z-Graphic Novel titles: Son of Samson, Tomo, Hand of the Morningstar, The Manga Bible, Kingdoms, and TimeFlyz. "This week we'll be wrapping up a couple of books, so that will bring us to 36 volumes of faith-based comics released to the market," reports managing editor Bud Rogers. "That places the initial line-up at 75% completed." Zonderkidz first introduced the Z-Graphic Novels in August 2007, and Volume 1 of the Tomo series, "I Was an Eighth-Grade Ninja," won the Bronze Award in the Comic/Graphic Novel category in the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards later that same year. While popular comics artist Sergio Cariello has illustrated his Son of Samson series since Volume 1, other titles have gained new artistic direction during their run. Scott Wong of Brethren Entertainment, producer of the Shelter of Wings graphic novel, has been packaging the artwork for the TimeFlyz title as of Volume 5. [SOURCES: Bud Rogers, Zondervan website, and Scott Wong, 18 May 2009] |
Jones: Common Name, Uncommon Art
Recently Focus on the Family's ClubHouse Jr. has been publishing color comics pages within the magazine that can be assembled into small comic books. These Bible comics are the work of artist Dennis Jones, who also illustrated Zonderkidz's bestselling Read With Me Bible and the "virtually wordless prequel" See With Me Bible. "The See With Me Bible was pulled off the market and is currently being retooled with copy," Jones reports. His Bible mini-comic in the April issue of ClubHouse Jr. is the second one that he has done. "I enjoyed the process of boiling a Bible story down into words and pictures for kids so much," says Jones. "I have been working on a similar project in my spare time that I'm thinking I will self-publish online." Jones was also the illustrator of The Super Heroes Bible, shown here. [SOURCES: Dennis Jones, FOTF website, and Amazon.com, 16 May 2009] |
Creationist Cartoonist at College in Kentucky
Cartoonist and illustrator Dan Lietha will be one of the speakers at Creation College 3 in Lakeside Park, Kentucky, near Cincinnati, Ohio USA. The event will be held 20-24 July 2009 and is hosted by the Answers in Genesis (AiG) apologetics ministry. Lietha started a comic strip in 1994 called CreationWise after being inspired by the "Creation Evangelism" message of Ken Ham, founder of AiG-US. After submitting this strip to Ham, Lietha was contracted to draw an AiG children's book, A Is for Adam, and then was hired by AiG full-time in 1997. In addition to producing artwork for most of AiG's books and videos, Lietha draws the After Eden cartoon panel, which has been compiled into the book Welcome to Life After Eden. Lietha also teaches "Drawing Dinosaurs" workshops at AiG's Creation Museum. [SOURCES: Dan Lietha and AiG website, 6 May 2009] |
New Catalog Features "Old Favorites"
The American Tract Society (ATS) Summer 2009 Catalog is offering comics-style tracts from the ATS archives in a section they call "Old Favorites Return." Two of the tracts, True Love and How Ya' Livin'?, were produced for the African-American community during the late 1980s to mid 90s by artist Vince Conard. "Always thought Vince's tracts were great, especially How Ya' Livin'?," says Literature Ministries International president Doug Salser, who was Senior VP Publishing for ATS when Conard produced the two tracts. "Always wished we could have gotten more tracts done utilizing his sense of humor and abilities in illustrating," Salser adds. The current catalog may be downloaded from the ATS web site. [SOURCES: ATS Summer Catalog, ATS website, and Doug Salser/LMI, 5 May 2009] |
Market Down But Comics/Cartoons Up
Although the current issue of Christian Retailing has several articles on downturns in the industry, Christian-themed graphic novels, comics, and animation appear to be well represented within its pages. The cover of La Biblia grafica appears prominently in the Editorial Portavoz advert on page 5 as does the new edition of The Comic Book Bible from Barbour Publishing on page 33. Animated DVDs are found in sections such as Christian Product Previews (Junior's Giants), KidsBeat (Adventures in Odyssey Live!), and DVDBeat (VeggieTales: Heroes of the Bible! A Baby, A Quest, and the Wild, Wild West). Several books with the Berenstain Bears cartoon characters appear on the Christian Booksellers Association Top 50 Books list. The Christian Retailing website also includes the VeggieTales Bible listed at #6 on the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association Bible Bestsellers list. The graphic novel Good and Evil is listed on the 2009 Retailers Choice Awards ballot under "Evangelism" and as El Bien y El Mal in the "Spanish" category. I Did It His Way, the "first and only collection of religious B.C. comic strips" by the late Johnny Hart, is included online in the Summer 2009 books listings. [SOURCES: Christian Retailing magazine and website, 4 May 2009] |
Color Him GLAD
Christian comics pioneer Taylor Overbey has announced a new color version of his GLAD magazine. Originally the Christian humor title was published in the mid 1980s as a black & white bimonthly. "I have long wanted to do something like this, but the cost of printing proved to be too much for me," Overbey explains. However, during a stint as a copier salesman "the lights went on" for Overbey as he was demonstrating a model with color and saddle-stitching capability. "After seeing the beautiful-looking books I could print I prayed about getting one," Overbey continues. "Now I am able to print on demand (POD) at a fraction of the cost of what I did years ago." The new color issue includes parodies such as "2084" and "The Symptoms," plus stories that Overbey "dug out of the archives that I was unable to print before." Overbey reports that his company Word Centered Productions is willing to offer POD services to other Christian comic artists using their color printer. [SOURCE: Word Centered Productions, 4 May 2009] |
An Interview about Fine and "Narragraphic" Art
Artist Bruce Bezaire has been interviewed by the Ransom Fellowship ministry in an article entitled "Meticulous Renderings of Glory." Bezaire discusses his work as a fine artist and illustrator and also his involvement with what he calls "narragraphic art" (comics). "At the time I became a Christian, I was writing comic book scripts for a publishing house that specialized in horror titles [but] gave that up as incompatible with my new faith," says Bezaire in the interview. "It was not until 1990 that I had the opportunity to return to narragraphics..." Bezaire has worked on the Dan Red Eagle comic book series for Native Americans, The Truth for Youth Bible comics, and created a Bible-based comic strip Before the Flood. Bezaire's artwork appears in the 2nd International Christian Comics Competition book as well. "I continue to this day to be fascinated by the narragraphic medium ... I remain very curious concerning the degree to which the narragraphic medium can successfully serve a high calling like evangelism and remain aesthetically viable in so doing," he adds. A number of Bezaire's fine art paintings may be viewed online in the Ransom Gallery. A Canadian by birth, Bezaire lives and works in Tennessee USA currently. [SOURCES: Artists in Christian Testimony Intl eNewsletter and COMIX35, 1 May 2009] |
Aussie Artist Imagines Event Identity
Australian cartoonist and animator Phil Watson is "creating the graphic identity" for the 2009 Blackstump Festival which will be using the theme "Imagine..." this year. The Christian music, comedy, drama, and teaching event will be held 2-5 October at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre in Horsley Park. Watson may be doing an animation to promote the festival as well, but he says there are "no plans so far to do any kind of [comics or cartooning] workshop." Anyone interested in appearing, performing, or presenting at Blackstump should log-in on their Expressions of Interest page. In addition to the Blackstump website there is also a Blackstump Facebook Page. [SOURCES: Black Stump News and Phil Watson, 1 May 2009] |
Christian Manga-ka Invited to Finland
Following the release of Manga Messias, the new Finnish version of the Manga Messiah graphic novel, the Finnish Bible Society were asked to provide a "spiritual/Christian voice" for a panel discussion on science fiction at Finncon2009. As a result Japanese manga-ka (comic artist) Kozumi Shinozawa, illustrator of Manga Messiah, will be flown to Finland to participate in this event. Finncon, which professes to be "Europe's largest science fiction and fantasy event," and Animecon VII, which centers around Japanese anime and manga, will be held at the same time in Helsinki in July. The Finnish Bible Society also plans to have Shinozawa San visit several "confirmation camps" for 15-year-olds. She will present copies of Manga Messias to the teens and share her testimony with them. The English-language edition of Manga Messiah is available online through the Christian Comics Catalog. [SOURCE: NEXT, 28 April 2009] |
Pro Animator Serves as "Cyber Missionary"
Christian animator Jeff Holder of FlyOver Projects has been volunteering for the last 2 years as a "cyber missionary" with Global Media Outreach (GMO). "That means I respond via e-mail to people who have expressed an interest in Jesus with the goal of leading them to Christ," says Holder. GMO has evangelistic web sites for people who have questions about God or about topics such as marriage, love, or truth. Potential volunteers must sign up, provide a reference, do some training (which is "not intense at all" according to Holder), and then they can log into a site where they pick up the e-mail. Volunteers who speak languages other than English are especially needed as are "storytellers that can engage with people and tell the Great Story of redemption." Noting that Sunday April 26th is Internet Evangelism Day, Holder says he hopes to encourage others to be a part of this "most amazing opportunity" that can be accomplished "from your sofa." Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer "cyber missionary" can contact Holder through his FlyOver Projects website. [SOURCE: Jeff Holder, 25 April 2009] |
Bible Society Develops Cell Phone Cartoons
Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, the German Bible Society, is developing new cell phone products for kids. "It is already possible to make use of various editions of the Bible on the iPhone via our website," says editor Mathias Jeschke. "And we are in the process of testing out this possibility for children's products, too. Cartoons of about three minutes’ duration will be available starting this fall in our bookshop programme." In the past Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft has produced a number of comics and graphic novels including Jesus der Galiläer, David und Sohne, and Adam, Eva und Co., all illustrated by Rüdiger Pfeffer. Some of these books are still available through the Christian Comics Catalog. [SOURCES: Cook Partners Newsletter, Frankfurt International Book Fair newsletter, and COMIX35, 24 April 2009] |
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The Gospel According to Robots - UPDATE
"Betrayed!", the new full-color, comic-style tract designed for pre-teen to early teenage boys, has been released by Literature Ministries International (LMI) in Texas USA. "Our goal is to clearly present the Gospel to boys through a creative medium that they appreciate," states Doug Salser of LMI. "This 8-page 'supertract' illustrates the Gospel through the adventures of a 'transforming robot' and the heroics of X-One." The tract was produced in partnership with the COMIX35 ministry. "This tract is 15% larger than our other tracts to enhance the colorful graphics and the readability," Salser adds. "Betrayed!" may be read online at the LMI website. The script is by comics writer Ben Avery with finished illustrations by Jonathan Koelsch, who also designed LMI's "Escape the Trap!" booklet. [SOURCE: LMI, 16 April 2009] |
NEXT Creates Fan Page on Facebook
NEXT, Inc., producer of the graphic novels Manga Messiah, Manga Metamorphosis and Manga Mutiny, has announced that they've created a Facebook group "so that fans all over the world can connect with each other." Reportedly the site will have "official pictures, art and interviews with NEXT’s artists" and an "upcoming Facebook graffiti contest." 15 images from the first two books have been posted in the pictures section already. Other news on the Facebook page: Over 1.5 million copies of the NEXT manga are in print, and the first book, Manga Messiah, is now available in 20 languages. The English version of Manga Mutiny, which "will center around the lives of the Old Testament Patriarchs," has now gone to press. This third book in the series begins with the Creation story in Genesis and concludes with the Red Sea crossing in Exodus 15. [SOURCE: NEXT, 15 April 2009] |
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New Comics From Kidz Creator
Reggie Byers of Philadelphia USA is working on a "comic book of the whole Gospel as told in the Book of Mark." This is a project that Byers "has had in his spirit since 2003." Byers wants his comic to be used as a witnessing tool and not as a product for sale, so he plans to print it with no retail cover price. "Churches, ministries and other organizations that acquire these books from us would do so at almost printing cost," says Byers. "Then they in turn can simply give them away." Byers envisions the comic being used in "the inner city, rural areas, or throughout the 10/40 Window overseas." Currently 5 pages of the comic may be viewed online. Byers and his wife Dionne are co-creators of Kidz of the King, a popular Christian-themed comic book and animated cartoon for children on DVD. [SOURCE: Reggie Byers, 13 April 2009] |
Veggies Have New Owners
Big Idea, Inc., home to popular faith-based kids brand VeggieTales, has been acquired by Boomerang Media. Commenting on the acquisition Big Idea writes, "The leadership of Boomerang Media ... have a thorough understanding of the faith-based market and vision for Big Idea's mission to impact the spiritual fabric of society through creative media." Boomerang Media adds, "Big Idea has established itself as a leader in the Christian marketplace. We will continue to support their mission, the long-lasting relationships they have built with their audience, and their efforts to introduce new generations of families to VeggieTales." Big Idea’s latest DVD release, Abe and the Amazing Promise, is currently one of the best-selling videos at Christian retail. Other DVD releases planned for 2009 include VeggieTales: Heroes of the Bible this May and Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Noah’s Umbrella slated for August. VeggieTales DVDs are available through the ANIMAX35 Animation Inventory. [SOURCE: CBA Retailers+Resources Industry Brief, 6 April 2009] |
TTFY Bible Comics Not "Politically Correct"
Evangelist Tim Todd reports that the USA became number one in the world in illegal drug use, illiteracy and teenage pregnancy in 1963, "the very year we removed the Bible from school." Teen crime has been increasing ever since the Ten Commandments were removed from schools as well. Todd says, "Bibles and the Ten Commandments provide solid bases for young people, and it is essential to put them back in schools for our country's sake." Todd is accomplishing this goal with The Truth for Youth (TTFY) Bible Project. The TTFY Bible contains the entire New Testament along with over 100 pages of full-color comics that deal with the "absolute truth about moral issues that young people are confronted with on a daily basis." More than 1.25 million copies have already been distributed to youth in America's public schools. Many of them have turned to Jesus Christ as a direct result. "The TTFY Bible is not 'politically correct,' but it is Biblically correct," Todd concludes. [SOURCE: Revival Fires Ministry Message Alerts, 2 April 2009] |
Another New Chick Tract from Jack
Chick Publications in California USA has published their newest tract in English as It's All About You! and in Spanish as ¡Todo depende de ti! The tract has a "basic Gospel message with an interesting twist: Two 'someones' are watching you, and one of them has it in for you." Tracts are available in packages of 25. Chick Publications has been publishing cartoon tracts for over 40 years. A biography of Jack Chick may be found in the Christian Comics Pioneers section of this CCI website. [SOURCE: Chick Publications Newsletter, 1 April 2009] |
Comics Update from Downunder
Logosdor in Australia reports that the "Jungle Doctor" comics are no longer available through their ministry. Scripture Union is now doing marketing for Logosdor and has stopped distributing the comics says Ruth White of Paul White Productions (PHP). Instead, copies may be purchased on-line through Australian Christian product supplier Koorong. Two titles in the series are currently out of print: The Monkeys Who Didn't Believe in Crocodiles and The Great Wall. White is still planning for Logosdor to "take over the PHP name and the intellectual property for their use in whatever form they choose to use them." The "Jungle Doctor" comics were written by the late Dr. Paul White and mostly illustrated by Christian Comics Pioneer Graham Wade. [SOURCES: Logosdor and Paul White Productions, 1 April 2009] |
New Comic Series in Mexican Magazine
Cartoonist José Carlos Gutiérrez is collaborating with writer Keila Ochoa on a comics series based on New Testament parables for Revista Prisma (Prisma Magazine) published by Milamex in Mexico City. The series is entitled "Parábolas de Hoy" ("Today's Parables"). Gutiérrez has organized a group of Christian artists to produce one comic for each issue this year. The comics have replaced the fotonovela (photo novels) that formerly ran in the magazine. "They are a real attraction to people," reports Prisma editor Elisabeth Isais. Gutiérrez was a prize-winner in the 1st International Christian Comics Competition in 2005 and received an honorable mention in the Concurso de Historietas Cristianas en Español (Spanish Christian Comic Competition) in 2006. [SOURCES: José Carlos Gutiérrez and Revista Prisma/Milamex, 20 March 2009] |
Final Manga Video Winners Announced
Two more winners have been selected in the Manga Messiah Video Competition. Kevin Schulthies of Canada and Yanette Scott from Texas USA will both receive an exclusive "gold" edition of the popular Manga Messiah graphic novel. Schulthies' entry, Messiah Manga Outreach Awareness Video, ties into the distribution of more than 1,300 copies of the Manga Messiah graphic novel in Karuizawa, Japan this past December. Scott's video is entitled Manga Messiah: Ever Day. Another video, simply titled Manga Messiah by Percy Cesar Mamani Vilca of Peru, was chosen as a winner last month. The winning entries can be viewed on YouTube. Prize books will be limited-run hardcover versions of the graphic novel with gold foil-stamping of the title lettering and the winner's name, plus a small original sketch inside by Manga Messiah artist Kozumi Shinozawa. [SOURCE: NEXT, 19 March 2009] |
Artist Auderset Interviewed
Swiss cartoonist Alain Auderset, winner of the 2009 International Prize for French Language Christian Comics (Le prix international de la bande dessinée chrétienne francophone) for his comic album Willy Grunch, has been interviewed on the national TV news station TSR in Switzerland. In addition to discussing his work, Auderset gives a brief tour of his new studio/workshop which is currently being renovated. Auderset's comic album Robi won the International Prize for French Language Christian Comics in 2007. These prizes are awarded at the Angoulême Comics Festival (Festival International de la Bande Dessinée d'Angoulême) in January each year. Some of Auderset's Willy Grunch comic pages appear in the 2nd International Christian Comics Competition book. [SOURCES: Alain Auderset and COMIX35, 18 March 2009] |
FMP Seeks Tract Submissions
Foursquare Mission Press (FMP) in California USA plans to produce a number of full-color, comics-style evangelistic tracts and seeks effective submissions covering teen issues, prison ministry, drugs, poverty, AIDS, and other culturally relevant themes. All tracts must communicate the saving message of Jesus Christ to the reader. Interested Christian comics creators should submit a script and thumbnail sketches of their proposed tract, not finished artwork. The tracts will be 4.75" x 7.5" and have space for 7 pages of comics material. Selected tracts will be produced in the language of the native country of the creator. Print runs of 3,000 to 6,000 tracts will be produced, and the creator will receive 5% of the printed copies as their sole compensation. Submissions or requests for more information can be directed to Eric Jansen at FMP and/or Ralph Miley at New Creation Now. FMP was founded in 1981 to provide free Gospel literature to the mission field. Since that time 160 million free tracts, booklets and books have been distributed by FMP to 110 countries in 50 different languages. [SOURCES: Ralph Miley and the FMP website, 12 March 2009] |
German Site Highlights Comics Ministry
ERF Medien, the biggest Christian broadcasting company in Germany and a partner of Trans World Radio, has published an online news story about the COMIX35 ministry. Established as Evangeliums-Rundfunk (‘Evangelical Broadcasting’) in 1959, ERF began broadcasting the Gospel in 1961. Comics readership is significant in Germany where Micky Maus, Donald Duck, Astérix, Lucky Luke, and Japanese manga are all popular. [SOURCES: ERF website and COMIX35, 4 March 2009] |
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New Creation Has Webb Comics
The New Creation Now website has begun featuring the Holly and the Ivy Halls strip by comic book writer and artist Kathleen Webb of BillyKat Productions in Washington State USA. She wrote and drew the comics originally for Focus on the Family's BRIO Magazine between 1993 and 2004. Webb has worked professionally in comics since 1985 for companies such as Archie and Marvel. In releasing Webb's work for a new online audience, New Creation continues their mission to "function as a media outlet, think tank, consultant, and promoter of Christian work as it relates to the comic book genre and other related mediums." New Creation works in association with the Christian Comic Arts Society. [SOURCES: Kathleen Webb and the New Creation website, 3 March 2009] |
Artist Brings Animated Style to Book Series
Kregel Publications is releasing the third and final chapter in the "Clopper" series of children's books illustrated by animation artist/director Ed Olson in California USA. Clopper and the Lost Boy focuses on the story where Jesus visits the temple at age 12. The 32-page hardcover book series is for ages 4-8 and tells the story of Jesus' life from the perspective of the family's donkey. Ed Olson has worked for 25 years in media production for companies such as Walt Disney Feature Animation, Warner Bros., Sony, and Sega. A sampling of inspirational cartoon illustration by Olson may be viewed on Olson's website. [SOURCE: Ed Olson, 1 March 2009] |
New Version of Manga Messiah from NEXT
A 64-page evangelistic version of Manga Messiah is now off the press. The new edition, entitled The Messiah, is a low-cost booklet for mass distribution. It contains 12 pages of new material, to tie together key sequences from the original graphic novel, plus a new cover. "When we presented it to some leaders [in Africa] they were very excited," reports Roald Lidal of NEXT. "They could not imagine anything better than this kind of a booklet ... it will reach the semi-literate ... children and youth simply devour it." NEXT has been asked for 10 million copies for Uganda alone. "I am excited to think of the worldwide potential," Lidal concludes. The Messiah is currently available in English only but can be produced in other languages as needed and personalized for the needs of distributing ministries. More information may be obtained by visiting the NEXT website. [SOURCE: NEXT, 24 February 2009] |
Christians Featured in Cartooning Magazine
The third and latest issue of Stay Tooned! Magazine includes articles on two professional cartoonists who profess faith in Jesus Christ. Cedric Hohnstadt, who works in character and toy design, is quoted as saying "My Christian faith is very important to me." In addition to his secular work, Hohnstadt has illustrated an 8-page Gospel tract for the Living Waters ministry. Over 2 million copies have been distributed in 7 languages. The tract may be downloaded, printed and distributed for free from Hohnstadt's website. Gasoline Alley comic strip artist Jim Scancarelli is also featured in the magazine. Scancarelli notes, "When I took over the strip I dedicated it to God ... I asked for His blessing; I wanted to be His pen." Past issues of Stay Tooned! have featured other Christian comics creators, cartoonists, and animators including Tom Bancroft, Marcus Hamilton, Steven Butler, and Rob Corley. [SOURCES: StayTooned! Magazine and Cedric Hohnstadt's website, 24 February 2009] |
MTI Releases DVD Training Course
For the first time Magazine Training International (MTI) is offering their unique course as a 7-disk DVD set. In the past these courses have been available only through in-person attendance at MTI's trainings in Eastern Europe and Asia. Managing the Magazine with Confidence and Skill is a 15-hour course on the magazine publishing business. Instructors on the DVD are Kent Wilson of NavPress and Tim Gilmour of Group Publishing. The course is taught in English and is offered with subtitles in Russian, Chinese, and Spanish. An 85-page PDF Training Manual is included. Since 1999, hundreds of Christian magazine publishers from dozens of countries have taken this course live in conferences. COMIX35 president Nate Butler attended past MTI courses in both Hungary and Hong Kong and recommends them highly to anyone who is serious about publishing Christian comic magazines. Managing the Magazine with Confidence and Skill may be ordered directly from the MTI Web site. [SOURCE: Magazine Training International, 19 February 2009] |
New Spanish Edition of Graphic Bible
Following a "trend of increasing Bible sales in the Hispanic world," Editorial Portavoz, the Spanish arm of Kregel Publications, has released La Biblia grafica . This fully-painted graphic novel by former Judge Dredd/2000AD artist Jeff Anderson was originally produced in England as The Lion Graphic Bible in 2004. "The content of the Bible is exactly the stuff of which graphic novels are made: tales of origins and cosmic powers, battles between good and evil, and dramatic narratives of heroism and treachery," the Kregel website states. Kregel is also the exclusive North American distributor of the graphic novel Yun: The Illustrated Story of the Heavenly Man . [SOURCES: Christian Retailing Magazine and the Kregel website, 9 February 2009] |
More Veggies on DVD
The newest VeggieTales cartoon from Big Idea arrived in Christian retail stores on 7 February, "as usual three days ahead of its general market release." The DVD Abe and the Amazing Promise is subtitled "A Lesson in Patience" and is intended to remind children that "God always keeps His promises ... even if we have to wait a while." The DVD is part of VeggieTales' "Values to Grow By" spring campaign that includes the new VeggieTales Bible and the re-issue of three classic episodes. Abe and the Amazing Promise is available through the ANIMAX35 Animation Inventory. [SOURCE: Christian Retailing Magazine, 9 February 2009] |
Winner Announced in Video Competition
Percy Cesar Mamani Vilca ("Es†rUeNdO") from Peru has been chosen as the first winner of an exclusive "gold" edition of Manga Messiah. His prize-winning entry to the Manga Messiah Video Competition can be viewed on YouTube. Prize books will be limited-run hardcover versions of the popular graphic novel with gold foil-stamping of the title lettering and the winner's name. The books will contain a small original sketch inside by Manga Messiah artist Kozumi Shinozawa. Only two more copies of the special edition books remain to be awarded as prizes. The competition is open to both amateur and professional video producers around the world, offering them the opportunity to create their own video interpretations of the Manga Messiah graphic novel using authorized images from the NEXT website. The deadline for entries is Wednesday 4 March. [SOURCE: NEXT, 9 February 2009] |
Heroes Series Continues
Christian Comics Pioneers Jerry and Faith McCollough report that they are working on Peter, Global University's next Bible comic in their Heroes of the Faith series. Jerry is also in the early creative stages of a book on Elijah and Elisha. The McColloughs have been illustrating Christian-themed comics and graphic albums since 1988. Over 100,000 copies of their comics have been distributed in over 27 languages. Writer Ron Barefield teamed up with the McColloughs to create the Heroes of the Faith series while they were all serving as missionaries in Belgium. Other graphic albums written and illustrated by the McColloughs have featured well known national heroes in Eastern Europe including Cyril & Methodius: Illuminators of the Slavs and Jan Hus/Jan Ziska. [SOURCE: Jerry & Faith McCollough's newsletter, Winter 2009] |
Comics Sales Go Up Downunder - UPDATE
Christian Comics Pioneer Graham Wade reports that the title of his newest 16-page full-color A6-size "DollarComics" booklet about the apostle Peter has been changed from Hey Pete to Follow Me. Wade has finished 6 booklets in the popular series so far. He says "about 20,000 have been sold to date" by the publisher, CEP/Anglican Youthworks in Australia. Wade asks for prayer that these comics "will be effective and count in the Kingdom. Please pray that God will use these comics in children’s lives to bring them to himself." Wade adds he would love to have the opportunity to do some Old Testament stories about Esther, Joseph, Daniel, and Moses as part of this series. [SOURCE: Graham Wade, 6 February 2009] |
African Comics Meeting at LittWorld2009
COMIX35 has proposed an international gathering of African Christian cartoonists and comic book producers at the LittWorld2009 World Conference of Christian Publishing in Kenya. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with more than 150 Christian writers, editors, and publishers from over 30 different countries. Christian comics professionals who hope to attend include Nate Butler, President of COMIX35 in the USA, Didier Millotte, comics artist from France, and Francis Umendu Odupute ("Francodus"), political cartoonist in Nigeria, who has suggest the inclusion of an exhibition of "Gospel cartoons, paintings, comic strips, etc. by African Christian artists, especially those who would be attending the conference." LittWorld2009 is scheduled for 1-6 November at the Brackenhurst International Conference Centre, 30 minutes northwest of Nairobi, Kenya. [SOURCE: COMIX35, February 2009] |
Carroll Creates New Christian Comic
UK comics writer/artist Steve Carroll has been commissioned to create a monthly spread entitled "The Life of David" for the PLUS+Eagles Wings comic paper. "I was asked to draw it in a manga style, but I have ended up creating something which is my own," Carroll notes. "I am more influenced by somewhat 'underground' artists than the classic super hero style. I bring something of myself – a certain primitive disquiet." Carroll is also the writer of the Riddler's Fayre graphic novel series. The PLUS+Eagles Wings comic paper is a subscription-based publication for children 7-11 years old. It has had the longest issue run of any Christian comic paper in the United Kingdom. [SOURCES: Steve Carroll and the PLUS+Eagles Wings website, 28 January 2009] |
New Child-Focused Site from CEF
Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) has a website called Wonderzone "with Christ-centered games, puzzles, devotions, prayer requests, etc." The site also has a number of semi-animated comic strip-style adventures including ones about Moses and missionary to China Hudson Taylor. Registration is necessary to access these features. Other ministries to children may add links to their own sites from Wonderzone. [SOURCES: Operation Starting Line/The Deborah and Dennis Walsh Foundation and the Wonderzone web site, 26 January 2009] |
Comics Sales Go Up Downunder
Christian Comics Pioneer Graham Wade continues to produce new comics for CEP/Anglican Youthworks in Australia. Let's Go, the beginning of the books of Acts, has been printed, and he has just finished illustrating Blinded by Light, the story of Paul. Next up will be Hey Pete, about the apostle Peter. Three earlier titles in the series were all sales successes in 2008. Who Is This Man? (stories from the Gospel of Mark) sold 4,244 copies, God's Gift the Saviour (the birth of Jesus, based on Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2) sold 5,765 copies, and Easter - He Is Alive (the death and resurrection of Jesus) sold 6,735 copies. "In a country where 4,000 sales is satisfactory/good, this is pleasing," Wade says. These small, inexpensive comics are meant to be used as gifts and giveaways for Sunday schools, kids' clubs, and beach mission programs for children aged 7-11. [SOURCES: Graham Wade, the Youthworks and Koorong websites, 19 January 2009] |
Manga for the Millions
Word of Life Press Ministries (WLPM) in Tokyo reports that they are producing a number of manga currently. Paperback editions of Manga Introduction to the Bible and Manga Introduction to Christianity, illustrated by Toshio Katsuma, will be reprinted in February or March 2009. Katsuma and his wife are adapting a serialized form of Ayako Miura's novel Kairei (Hidden Ranges) in WLPM's monthly Gospel comic book Christian Shinbun Ramii. Ayako Mirua's conversion testimony, Michi Ariki (The Wind is Howling) is being serialized in manga form for WLPM's monthly magazine Gospel for the Millions. WLPM also released a new manga tract for the 2008 Christmas season, Nihon Mukashi Kurisimasu (Japan's Past Christmas), illustrated by Nanami Minami. 43,400 copies of this tract were distributed nationwide during December. [SOURCE: Don Regier at WLPM, 14 January 2009] |
CCAS Announces Sketchbook, Con Appearance
The Christian Comic Arts Society (CCAS) has issued a call for sketchbook submissions for their 2009 CCAS Sketchbook to be distributed throughout the year at conventions, events, and online. The black & white sketchbook will be an annual showcase featuring selected artwork from Christian comics artists. Submissions can be made by members through the free CCAS social network website. The CCAS will also make its first appearance at the WonderCon comic and popular arts convention in San Francisco, California USA from 27 February through 1 March 2009. They will be located at booth SP29 in the Small Press area. [SOURCE: Frontgate Media, 12 January 2009] |
Comics for Christmas in Karuizawa
During this past Christmas season in Japan, Operation Mobilisation (OM) and The Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM) joined together to distribute more than 1,000 copies of the Manga Messiah graphic novel in the town of Karuizawa. Every December 20,000 Japanese people go to see the Christmas lights and displays at Megumi (Grace) Chalet, and most of them don't know Jesus Christ. According to an article posted in ChristianToday.com "over 80 short-term volunteers from a dozen countries spent two weeks in festive costumes handing out the comic to shoppers." The article quotes one long-term missionary who states "For reaching Japanese, this book is far more effective than showing The Jesus Film." Produced by NEXT, Manga Messiah depicts the life of Jesus Christ from birth to resurrection in 300 pages. [SOURCES: OM Japan, ChristianToday, and NEXT, 10 January 2009] |
Christian Comic Covered on Nigerian Blog
Illustrator and storyteller Olusola Akinseye of Lagos, Nigeria, has just sent out an announcement about his weblog "for all who are interested in what I have been up to." His most recent blog entry features the cover he produced for The Good Shepherd, the Christian African anthology comic magazine. He shows the various stages of his artwork: pencil illustration, inked version, and final Photoshop painting. The Good Shepherd comic features entries from Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Cameroon and Zimbabwe. In addition to the cover, Akinseye contributed 4 pages to the magazine. [SOURCE: Olusola Akinseye, 8 January 2009] |
Wheeler Continues on a Roll
Cartoonworks, the business/ministry of well-known and widely-published Christian cartoonist Ron Wheeler, has opened Ron's Image Vault, a subscription-based clip art archive of more than 14,000 of Wheeler's cartoons spanning over 15 years of his work. The Cartoonworks archives also contain several hundred of Wheeler's Adventures of Jeremiah comic strips and single panel cartoons. In addition, Wheeler reports that he has been busy illustrating books and curriculum for clients. "2008 was my best year of freelance ever (despite) the cancellation of a contract for an 8 book children’s series for ZonderKidz," Wheeler adds. He plans to repeat his successful Cartoon Camps for elementary, junior and senior high school students this summer. [SOURCE: Cartoonworks, 6 January 2009] |
Frank News from Kevin
Christian Comics Pioneer Kevin Frank has just published a new Bible cartoon book entitled Balaam's Chicken. The book is 130 pages in black & white with a color cover. Frank is allowing anyone who buys the book to reprint his cartoons for their own church's bulletin or newsletter - "as long as it's free, and credit is given," he notes. Frank also continues to produce the Heaven's Love Thrift Shop Christian comic strip, distributed through King Features Syndicate. [SOURCE: Kevin Frank, 5 January 2009] |
More Time for Manga Video Competition
NEXT has extended the deadline for the Manga Messiah Video Competition. Entries will continue to be accepted through Wednesday 4 March 2009. The competition is open to both amateur and professional video producers around the world, offering them the opportunity to create their own video interpretations of the Manga Messiah graphic novel using authorized images from the NEXT website. [SOURCE: NEXT, 5 January 2009] |
ANIMAX35 Site Reanimated
COMIX35 has begun consolidating all their animation and video-related ministry on the ANIMAX35 website. "The new ANIMAX35 website will continue to spotlight any animation or video projects we do or seminars we hold," said COMIX35 President Nate Butler. "Now it will also promote the work of Christian animation professionals, especially those who are trying to reach their audience for Christ through evangelical productions." The ANIMAX35 site has a new International Animation Links list with over 30 sites and animations listed so far. [SOURCE: COMIX35, 3 January 2009] |
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This web site is administered and maintained by COMIX35 / ROX35 Media, Inc. as a ministry service. "Christian Comics International", "Christian Comics Catalog", "International Christian Comics Competition (ICCC)", "Christian Comics Pioneers", "CCN: Christian Comics News", and the series title "Personal Testimony Comics" (in continuous use since first publication in Christian Comics & Games Magazine in 1996) are all trademarks of Nate Butler currently administered by ROX35 Media, Inc. by special arrangement. "COMIX35" and "ANIMAX35" are both DBAs and trademarks of ROX35 Media, Inc. "Creating Christian Comics for Your Culture" is a trademark of ROX35 Media, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Other names, logos, and/or images used on this site that are not DBAs or trademarks of ROX35 Media, Inc., or are not copyrighted by ROX35 Media, Inc., are TM and/or Copyright © by their respective owners. Please note that it is impossible to screen all the text on all the external links listed on this site. Please do not assume that all opinions expressed on externally linked sites are identical to those of COMIX35 / ROX35 Media, Inc.
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