What are DC’s 25 most ‘essential’ graphic novels?

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TweetThis May DC released a free guide in magazine-like format, about the size of a small prestige graphic novel itself, containing a list of “essential graphic novels” and also a “chronology” for new readers. It’s not a bad idea considering what a difficult time new readers, or those who have left for awhile, can have [...]

So, Angela Looks Like This

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TweetMarvel have released Joe Quesada’s redesign for Angela, the Neil Gaiman character who is going to be involved in the big twist ending of Age of Ultron. As seen via Entertainment Weekly, Angela has Psylocke’s little ribbons, armour protecting her ankles and elbows, and a ribbon connecting her neck to her sword. We still don’t [...]

Neil Gaiman and The Beat think exactly alike: “Nobody knows.”

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Coinciding brilliantly with our post yesterday on the nagging uncertainty of making a career in future media, world-renowned best selling author Neil Gaiman said pretty much exactly the same thing in a keynote address at the London Book Fair which urged everyone to just try new shit (we’re paraphrasing) to find what works:

MEGA-INTERVIEW with Matt Kindt: ‘find the territory that nobody has staked out yet’

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Tweet Interviewing Matt Kindt at WonderCon brought with it some unusual circumstances. Just prior to speaking to Kindt, I had the opportunity to hear him talk about his career history in a mammoth 90 minute panel interview, which I later covered for The Beat. This posed a serious question: what could I possibly ask him [...]

Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer Go “Live” at Bard College

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TweetThe Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College in Red Hook, New York, hosted “An Evening with Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer” on the 6th of April, an event packed with poetry, prose, and musical performance numbers from Gaiman and Palmer alike, frequently in combination. Here are some photos and a few choice [...]

Now a big softie, Todd McFarlane comments on the return of Angela

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Tweet Although once known for combative rhetoric and an aggressive stance, McFarlane Toys CEO Todd McFarlane sounded a conciliatory note when asked about the return of Angela in the pages of ULTRON WAR #10. McFarlane once fought a bitter lawsuit over the ownership of Angela with Neil Gaiman, and perhaps the settlement included a non-disparagement [...]

Cuteness and More Review: CHU’S DAY by Neil Gaiman and Adam Rex

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TweetOkay, it’s not a comic. But it is a lavishly illustrated and pleasingly offbeat childrens’ book by the great comics and prose writer Neil Gaiman (his latest longer work is THE GRAVEYARD BOOK) and the best-selling picture book artist Adam Rex (FRANKENSTEIN MAKES A SANDWICH). Last spring at MoCCA Fest, the Children’s Literature panel spent [...]

Radio 4 Gather Stunning Voice-Cast for Adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s ‘Neverwhere’

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TweetWell, this is certainly one of the most British things I’ve ever heard. Please whistle the theme tune to The Archers while you read this article.

Good Work, Comics: Boy Bands and Shadow Edition

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TweetIt’s getting tougher all the time, as Paul McCartney would’ve likely sung if the Beatles had reunited for a jaded comeback tour in the 1990s. All you want in life is for Stephanie Brown to get just one bit of respect, but time and time again your dreams are shatteringly recoloured at the last moment. And [...]

Marvel now owns MIRACLEMAN…the trademark

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Danny Best rolls out the relevant documents to show that Marvel now seems to own the Miracleman trademark. Does this mean the way is clear for the finale?

The Hugo Awards 2012: And The Winners Are…

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TweetBy Steve Morris Congratulations to all concerned – and one note before we head any further. It appears that, whilst picking up his award for Doctor Who, Neil Gaiman possibly confirmed that he will be writing a second episode for next year: …only a fool or a mad man would try to do it again… so [...]

UPDATE: Neil Gaiman and Colleen Doran working on a graphic novel for Dark Horse

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In a post on her artistic techniques, Colleen Doran reveals that she’s working on a graphic novel with Neil Gaiman, to be published by Dark Horse. The two previously collaborated on issues of THE SANDMAN.

Skottie Young, Adam Rex and Neil Gaiman team up, if you're interested

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In a new deal with HarperCollins, it’s been announced that Neil Gaiman will be writing five new books next year. And he’s bringing Adam Rex and Skottie Young with him.

Gaiman settlement cost Todd McFarlane $1,100,000

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Daniel Best digs up the bankruptcy court proceedings for Todd McFarlane Inc. and notes that the $2.2 million settlement includes $1.1 million set aside for the “Gaiman Settlement (Class 4).” As Best notes, this is not necessarily the amount of money that Neil Gaiman received, since lawyers fees were to come out of the money.

Must read: Gaiman/McFarlane/Miracleman: The Saga

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This is what we call a “hot drink” post in the biz*, as in, you must get a hot drink and a comfy chair before you dive in to the next link. Pádraig Ó Méalóid has done an amazing job of putting together a Gaiman/McFarlane/Marvelman timeline, which, although it only skims the details of the Marvelman deals of the ’80s, does cover the 10-year legal battle between Gaiman and McFarlane as it pertains to Marvelman. It’s a tale of (Tony) twists and turns. Of course the pre-history is also stunning:

What Neil Gaiman is going to do—or not do— with the $382,000 Todd McFarlane put in escrow — UPDATED

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Although when a final settlement was reached in the epic Gaiman/McFarlane legal battle a few weeks ago, most people thought it was all over. But now there is The Accounting. Daniel Best dug up the settlement papers which mentioned just how much money Todd McFarlane might owe Neil Gaiman. Just to be clearer about this, the money in question is in an escrow account and there is really no discussion over its exact disposition. As noted it would go to legal fees, or Neil Gaiman or other things. In addition, the profits from the characters Gaiman co-created—the actual subject of the lawsuit—have yet to be audited.