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.

continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

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.

continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

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.”

continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

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.

continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

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.

continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

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 Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

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?
continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

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.”
continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

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.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

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.

continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Robert Venditti wrote the graphic adaptation of The Lightning Thief. Venditti explained: “One of my own original creations, The Surrogates was recently adapted [into a film] so I wanted to see what it was like on the other side of the adaptation process.”

The original novel contains 375 pages, but the graphic novel clocks in at 125 pages. Editor Christian Trimmer revealed that The Sea of Monsters and The Titan’s Curse are currently in the works and are tentatively set for release dates in 2012. Trimmer said, “Children’s publishing is such a great place to be because you’ve got the library’s support and the school’s support and the parents’ support and these stories will just live on and on and on.”

continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

1.  R&B artist Ne-Yo received the support of comic book legend Stan Lee for a comic he created and wrote entitled Libra Scale.

2. As we noted, The Archie series’ first gay character, Kevin Keller will have his own stand alone 4-book series. His debut appearance in Veronica issue #202 demanded for a re-printing and it was only released on September 1st 2010.

3. Melissa de la Cruz‘ Blue Bloods will be adapted into graphic novel format and published by Disney’s Hyperion. Editor Christian Trimmer jokingly said, “Blue Bloods is ‘Gossip Girl‘ meets ‘Twilight.’”

continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

At a New York Comic Con panel, publisher Filip Sablik outlined the program. Last year’s “Pilot Season” winners were Twilight Guardian and Genius. This year’s titles included: 39 Minutes, @sset, Forever, Crosshair, and 7 Days in Hell. Three out of five titles have been optioned for film adaptations.

The panel highlighted the Top Cow publication, Rest. The comic explores the consequences of a drug that allows people to stop sleeping. Actor Milo Ventimiglia acts as “editor/producer” for Rest and encouraged panel attendees to really show their support for independent comic book publishers.

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

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Comic book legend Stan Lee announced at New York Comic Con that he will be collaborating with Japanese icon, Yoshiki. Lee explained: “This absolutely great musician has agreed to do some work with me. We’re going to do a motion comic together. He going to do the music. I’m going to do whatever else needs to be done.” The project is planned for a 2011 release.

Yoshiki co-founded and plays in the 5-man Japanese rock band, X Japan. He serves as the primary songwriter. He also performs both drums and piano. The group has played to sold out shows at the 50,000 seat Tokyo Dome 18 times.

After exchanging salutations, hugs, and bows, the two media personalities sat down to answer some questions about the forthcoming collaboration. To clarify, Lee defined a “motion comic” as “more than a comic, but less than an animated film. It’s somewhere in between.” The superhero will be modeled after Yoshiki and he will possess a “very unique super power.” Lee credits Yoshiki with conceiving of the original story idea and Lee himself asked the Japanese musician how he came up with it. Yoshiki answered, “I am a superhero anyway.”

continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

At New York City Comic Con yesterday, this GalleyCat editor spent some time paging through Hermes Press‘ reprints of classic newspaper comic strips.

While we explored strips like Buck Rogers in the 25th Century and The Phantom, publisher Daniel Herman explained why he resurrected these long-forgotten comics. He also expounded on how the vampire television show Dark Shadows influenced contemporary popular culture.

Watch the video embedded above for a brief tribute to the fading art of newspaper comics and a peek at some of the best costumes at New York City Comic Con. For more comic book action, check out our New York Comic Con tag.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.