Would you consider Lisbeth Salander (a.k.a. the girl with the dragon tattoo) a superhero?

At New York Comic Con this year, a panel of veteran comic book writers and editors debated this topic; the panelists included Tom DeFalco (Marvel), Danny Fingeroth (Marvel), Paul Levitz (DC) , and Denny O’Neil (DC, Marvel). Psychologist Robin Rosenberg, editor of  The Psychology of Superheroes and The Psychology of the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, acted as the moderator.

The panelists all agreed that the definition of a superhero is difficult to pin down. However, they discussed two particular qualities that many superheroes possess: a heroic role heroic and abilities that go beyond what humans are realistically capable of.

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Former Marvel Comics editor Andy Schmidt moderated a New York Comic Con panel on writing and story structure earlier this month.

The group of panelists included writers Jimmy Palmiotti, Daniel Way and David Hine. Based on the discussion, we created a list of do’s and don’ts for story structure.

Do create an outline for your story.

Don’t treat your outline as a strict, controlling template. These tools are meant to enhance, not stifle, creativity.

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DC Comics editorial art director Mark Chiarello headlined a talk at New York Comic Con called “DC: Talent Search.” During the event, Chiarello (pictured) shared some handy job hunting tips for comic book artists looking to break into the industry.

1. Be prepared to pitch publishers at conventions. Bring photocopied samples of your work as well as a portfolio containing original work.

2. Make your editor happy. He explained: “No editor wants a new person coming into the door and being a jerk.”

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Over the weekend, New York Comic Con celebrated comic books and entertainment. It was jam-packed with events, panels, and screenings. This GalleyCat correspondent brought back some news from the show.

1. At the Legendary Comics panel, Frank Miller confirmed that he will publish new Sin City comics with Dark Horse Comics.

2. Archaia Entertainment editor-in-chief Stephen Christy described the graphic novel adaptation of Jim Henson and Jerry Juhl‘s screenplay A Tale of Sand as “Alice in Wonderland meets 127 Hours if directed by Jim Henson.” The graphic novel will be released this December.

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The legendary Stan Lee has teamed up with publisher 1821 Comics to launch a new multi-platform imprint for children called “Stan Lee’s Kids Universe.”

At the New York Comic Con presentation, Lee (pictured with Terry Douglas) explained: “Our main purpose is we feel that there aren’t enough comic books or books for kids that really hit the target, that gives them excitement and humor together and are filled with surprises. We have a whole new group of new characters that the kids can call their own, just as the teenagers called Spider-Man their own so many years ago.”

The imprint’s inaugural list consists of six projects; five books and an interactive game for the iPhone and iPad. The first two books, Monsters vs. Kittens and Once Upon a Time, were both created by Dani Jones and they will be released in Spring 2012.

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The first issue of the comic book series Blood Red Dragon will be unveiled at Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 21st. This project features the collaborative efforts of Spider-Man comics creator Stan Lee, Japanese rock star Yoshiki (of the band X Japan), and Spawn comics creator Todd McFarlane.

GalleyCat reported back in October 201o when Lee and Yoshiki personally announced this project at New York Comic Con. Lee explained that the project would be a “motion comic,” which he described as “more than a comic, but less than an animated film. It’s somewhere in between.” The series is being published by Todd McFarlane Productions.

Here’s more from the release: “[The comic] focuses on the origin of an ancient and benevolent force, locked in an epic battle with the dark armies of Oblivion. Creative expression and destiny collide, as once in a generation an individual is born with the potential to unlock the awesome might of the Blood Red Dragon, thus channeling a power beyond comprehension and assuming the mantle of Earth’s protector.”

New York Comic Con may have just ended, but it doesn’t mean people can’t find spaces to browse, squeal, and subsequently buy comic books around the country. Flavorpill rounded up the country’s 10 finest comic shops.

Here are our two hometown favorites: Forbidden Planet in New York City: They stock a wide variety of comics, Japanese Manga, and great comic-related items such as toys and t-shirts. Bergen Street Comics in Brooklyn: Dubbed the most “zen” comic shop, this store services comic fans in Park Slope.

The reason why these two were dubbed “favorites” is because you can literally see so much of New York City while touring these stores. How about some comic book store tourism?
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At a culinary Manga panel during New York City Comic Con, panelists discussed the wine-centered comic, Drops of God. The storyline centers around wine culture, including everything from vintage to mannerisms. All the wines featured are real.

The popular Manga series propelled the Japanese sales of one particular bottle, the Bordeaux region’s Château le Puy. The owner Jean-Pierre Amoreau was surprised and delighted from the big bump in business. Then, he decided to take the wine off the market.

The Guardian reports on Amoreau’s decision: “We immediately withdrew this vintage from sale through our agents across the world in order to avoid speculation because we wanted this wine, which had been chosen as a mythical wine, to remain within reach of everyone.”
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At New York Comic Con, it’s hard to make your comic book stand out in a sea of content. Comic creators try everything to get your attention, employing loud music, models, and costumed superheros.

Last weekend, we caught up with the creators of the Dark Age trilogy, a comic book set in a ruined future. For Comic Con, the team stuck their first issue inside a Class III biohazard safety cabinet, complete with rubber gloves and bullets. Watch the video embedded above to see the eye-catching display. What is the best book display you’ve ever seen at a comic convention or book expo? Share your thoughts in the comments for a future post.

Here’s more from a Wired profile of the artists: “Graphic-designing twin brothers Nick and Adam Hayes are best known for creating Sony’s PlayStation font and slick ads for Marc Ecko. But as comics avatars Mada and Vin Shaye, they’ve crafted the oppressively dystopian graphic novel series Dark Age. [It begins in a] war-torn future, which takes place on a dead planet in free fall. But the duo’s artistic and typographic innovation is evident, given the graphic novel’s six original typefaces and more than 760 illustrations.”

Check out our New York Comic Con tag for more comic coverage.

Plenty of people would recognize actor James Marsters for his role as Spike on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer television series, but did you know he has also made a contribution to the publishing industry?

Marsters wrote a one-shot comic for Dark Horse Publications entitled Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Spike and Dru. Marsters also narrates Jim Butcher‘s fantasy-mystery series, The Dresden Files. The series’ short-story anthology, Side Jobs, will be published on October 26th with a Marsters audiobook to follow in November.

At an open conversation at New York Comic Con, Marsters entertained questions of any nature from the audience. One fan asked Marsters how he plays female characters while working on the audiobooks. Marstars replied that he was inspired by Shakespeare.

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