Is There a Global Market for Indian Comics and Children’s Books?

In Children's, Discussion by Edward Nawotka

By Edward Nawotka The first annual Comic Con in India was held last weekend and, according to Andrew Dodd of Campfire Books, it was a runaway success. Homegrown stories from Indian publishers and featuring Indian heroes were especially popular. While Dodd acknowledges that the comics market in India is still “nascent,” there might be potential for Indian publishers to market …

Is Joe Sacco the World’s Greatest Graphic Noveliest/Reporter? The French Say “Oui”

In What's the Buzz by Olivia Snaije

By Olivia Snaije The Maltese-born American cartoonist and journalist Joe Sacco has just won the public news radio station France Info’s 2011 news and comic book prize for the French edition of his 400-page graphic novel Footnotes in Gaza. This is the second time Sacco has won the France Info prize—he was awarded the prize in 1999 for his graphic novel …

Right-wing Complaints About Muslim Batman Bemuse French

In What's the Buzz by Olivia Snaije

By Olivia Snaije The British Batman writer, David Hine, has invented a French superhero before the French could get to it. His name is Bilal Asselah aka “Nightrunner” and he was selected by Batman in the December issues of DC Comics Detective Comics Annual and Batman Annual to fight crime in Paris. Nightrunner is from the Paris suburb of Clichy-sous-Bois, …

What Can Trade Book Publishers Learn from Comic Books about Branding?

In Discussion by Edward Nawotka

By Edward Nawotka The brands Marvel and DC are synonymous with comics. But how many people would necessarily associate Knopf, Viking, and Perennial books? (Of all the trade book publishing brands, perhaps Penguin has the strongest association — with paperbacks). Why is this so? Is it because comic books are among the few genres that readers are able to seek …

Screaming Metal Phoenix: The Fantastic Rebirth of Humanoids USA

In English Language by Daniel Kalder

By Daniel Kalder The idea of comics for adults exploded in the US in the mid 1980s, via the pioneering work of creators such as Alan Moore, Frank Miller and Art Spiegelman. Their use of the medium to explore adult themes (or in Miller’s case, adolescent themes) seemed revolutionary at the time, and comics like Watchmen, The Dark Knight and …

Graphic, Novel: Cuba: My Revolution Brings the Harsh Reality of Castro’s Revolution to Comics

In Growth Markets by Rachel Aydt

•  Cuba by Inverna Lockpez and Dean Haspiel, offers a unique view of Castro’s Revolutionary-era Cuba from the point-of-view of one of its dissident artists. • Haspiel offers a visual interpretation of his interview with PP writer Rachel Aydt and discusses the challenges of interpreting with such a highly-charged and personal story. Interview by Rachel Aydt Some 20 years ago, Eisner …

Is Reading a Graphic Novel Adaptation of a Classic “Cheating?”

In Discussion by Edward Nawotka

By Edward Nawotka Today’s lead story looks at the publishing program of Campfire Books, an Indian graphic novel company that is exporting comic book versions of Western classics around the world. The books are proving especially popular with teachers and schools, as a result of both their high quality and low cost, not to mention their appeal to younger readers. …

Advantage India: Delhi’s Campfire Classics Hark Back to Golden Age of Comics

In Growth Markets by Edward Nawotka

• Indian graphic novel publisher Campfire Books has begun exporting affordable Western classics to the US and other English-speaking nations around the world. • Among the advantages the company has is the ability to keep most of the work in-house. The company employs a bullpen of 20 full-time artists on staff to do with drawing and coloring, thus helping to keep …