Articles

300 spinoff Xerxes retitled Battle of Artemisia by Simon Reynolds
(from Digital Spy)
Or, 300 prequel given title Americans can pronounce.

DC Comics no longer 'writing for the trade' by Hugh Armitage
(from Digital Spy)

DC Comics will no longer be structuring its storylines to fit into graphic novel format... Writers have been told to write the story they want to write and not worry about the trade collecting

We'll see how long that lasts -- collected trade paperbacks are incredibly lucrative for comic publishers. That said, if they can turn it back to people buying individual issues it'll earn them even more money.

Friday from the Cheap Seats by Greg Hatcher
(from Comics Should Be Good! at Comic Book Resources)
Much has been written about DC's big September relaunch, but I don't think I've mentioned it here before. Here's a neat piece of analysis though, of which I think the (lengthy, I know) fifth thought is especially pertinent. The way the comics industry is run looks crazy to any reasonable outsider -- some of the biggest, most recognisable characters/properties in the world selling to and aiming themselves at a tiny hardcore fanbase. DC's #1s idea is a start, but I won't be surprised if a more fundamental overhaul of the whole industry occurs in the next decade. The fans won't like it... but, as always, they'll come along anyway.

Is Hollywood Over Its Love Affair With Geek Culture? by Graeme McMillan
(from Spinoff Online)

Reports that movie studios are abandoning this year’s San Diego Comic-Con have started to circulate... But it does raise one important question: Has Hollywood realized that San Diego was always a waste of their time? ... Why? Well, maybe because we’re just not useful enough.

Insightful. It's also something I've been thinking for years, but studios and/or fans only now seem to be waking up to.