Comics Bulletin
Screenshot of Comics Bulletin main page, 5 December 2011 | |
Type of site | Comic book |
---|---|
Available in | English |
Owner | Jason Sacks |
Created by | Jason Brice |
Website |
comicsbulletin |
Registration | Yes |
Launched | January 2000 |
Comics Bulletin is a daily website covering the American comic-book industry.
History
Silver Bullet Comics
The site was founded in January 2000 as Silver Bullet Comic Books by its New Zealand-based publisher/editor Jason Brice.
During this period, the site made efforts to support retired comics professionals. In a Silver Bullet column called Past Masters, contributor Clifford Meth wrote about his efforts to support ailing comic book artist Dave Cockrum. As a result of his advocacy, Marvel Comics announced it would compensate Cockrum for his work in co-creating the X-Men.[1] In 2005, Silver Bullet partnered with Aardwolf Publishing to publish a benefit book in support of ailing comics writer/artist William Messner-Loebs. Silver Bullet provided free advertising and promotion of the project on their site.[2]
Former Managing Editor Craig R. Johnson became associated with Dave Sim's controversial views on feminism when he stepped into a debate between Sim and the Friends of Lulu Board of Directors to defend freedom of expression in the comic book industry.[3]
Comics Bulletin
On January 14, 2008, the site was relaunched as Comics Bulletin, in order to avoid confusion with a retail site. Online comics blogger Johanna Draper Carlson suggested the name change as a result of pressure from the unrelated but similarly named comics retailer Silver Bullet Comics, "...since SBC had a US trademark registration".[4][5]
In the same year, Jason Sacks took over from Keith Dallas as editor-in-chief for the site, and revamped the design and attitude. He eventually bought the site outright in 2011 and is the current owner and publisher. The site debuted a podcast in the same year, called "Comics You Can Dance To", alongside a number of new columns. Writers for the site in 2015 include Kate Leth and Don McGregor.
Regular features
- "Leading Questions" by Mark Stack and Chase Magnett
- "ICYMI - Small Press Comics Criticism and Whatnot" by Daniel Elkin
- "Singles Going Steady", a weekly review roundup by Daniel Gehen and the site's contributors
- "Tiny Pages Made of Ashes" by Daniel Elkin and Jason Sacks
- "Reboot Comic Book Club Podcast" by Chase Magnett and Joseph Kyle Schmidt
Former features
- "What Looks Good" by Matt Spatola and Kyle Garret
- "Comics Grind and Rewind" by Zack Davisson
- "Comics You Can Dance To", the site's podcast, hosted by Nathaniel MacDonald and Danny Djeljosevic
- "The Squeaky Wheel" by the pseudonymous kyrax2
- "Kate Or Die" by Kate Leth
- "Riding Shotgun" by Don McGregor
- "Killing Jokes" by Steve Morris, which explores the use of humor in comics
- "Fool Britannia" by Regie Rigby
- "Manifesto" by Jason Sacks, an editorial column
- "Cool Art, Bro" by Michelle Six, which looks at the role of art in bringing comics to life
- "Busted Knuckles" by Beau Smith
- "Kryptonite Got You Down?" by Alison Stevenson, a faux dating advice column for superheroes
Former columnists
- Donna Barr: "Submission Engine"
- Tom Brevoort: "Brevoort's History of Comics"
- Rich Johnston: "All The Rage"
- Tony Lee: "He’s Only a Writer… and It’s More than Just a Comic"
- Bill Messner-Loebs: "Storytelling"
- Clifford Meth: "Meth Addict"
- Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray: "Two In The Chamber"
- Bob Rozakis: "The Answer Man"
- Buddy Scalera: "Hey, Buddy!"
- Brandon Thomas: "Ambidextrous"
- Marv Wolfman: "What Th--?"
Awards
As Silver Bullet Comic Books, the site has been the recipient of a number of awards and award nominations, including:
- 2004 Eagle Award nomination for "Favourite Comics E-Zine"[6]
- 2005 Eagle Award winner for "Favourite Comics-Related Website"[7]
- 2006 Eagle Award nomination for "Favorite Comics-Related Website"[8]
- 2006 Gibson Comic Awards nominated for "Favourite Web Related Material"[9]
References
- ↑ Michael Dean (2004). "Marvel Makes Dave Cockrum an Offer He Can't Refuse". The Comics Journal. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-24.
- ↑ Jonah Weiland (February 17, 2005). "AARDWORLF TO PUBLISH BILL MESSNER-LOEBS BENEFIT BOOK". Comic Book Resources.
- ↑ Dave Sim (2007). "Craig R. Johnson defends Dave Sim". Dave Sim's blogandmail. Retrieved 2008-01-26.
- ↑ Johanna Draper Carlson (2007). "Johanna Draper Carlson claims comics retailer pressured Silver Bullet Comic Books to change its name". Comics Worth Reading. Retrieved 2008-01-26.
- ↑ Parkin, J.K. (2007). "Comics retailer and Silver Bullet Comic Books go head to head". Newsarama. Retrieved 2008-01-26.
- ↑ "The Eagle Awards - Results 2005". Eagle Awards. 2004. Archived from the original on 2007-11-28. Retrieved 2008-01-24.
- ↑ "The Eagle Awards - Results 2005". Eagle Awards. 2005. Archived from the original on November 9, 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-24.
- ↑ "The Eagle Awards - Results 2006". Eagle Awards. 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-10-13. Retrieved 2008-01-24.
- ↑ "Gibson Comic Awards". Gibson Comic Awards. 2006. Archived from the original on 2009-01-07. Retrieved 2008-01-24.