#rob salkowitz

[mangabookshelf]

The Manga Review: SDCC 2023 Round-Up

Over the last 20 years, SDCC has morphed from a comics-focused show to a pop-cultural behemoth dominated by movie studios and television stars. The ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, however, shifted the show’s emphasis back to comics, as many of the big, media-friendly events were scrapped in the weeks leading up to SDCC 2023. Writing for ICv2, Rob Salkowitz described this development as…

[thoughtportal]

When I began my podcast in September 2014, I was mostly sticking with topics that I was familiar with like blockbuster movies and animation. I liked science fiction, but I was not as familiar with traditional fantasy, literature, tabletop games, and most anime. My understanding of the depth and breadth of imaginary worlds kept expanding, and when I thought I had reached the borders of the universe, I kept discovering more. This show has also become a historical archive of the development of sci-fi fantasy genres since 2014. I talk with journalist Rob Salkowitz and editor Diana M. Pho about how the film industry, comics, and publishing industry have been on their journeys in the past decade. Plus, we hear from listeners about some of the episodes that made an impact on them.

[omorales81]

Amen, Rob Salkowitz🙏🏼 “Democratizing” comic book art is a gross concept. #MakeComics #HumanArtist #SequentialArt #WebToon #VerticalScroll #ComicBooks #AI @robsalk

[biglisbonnews]

Columnist uses AI to write review about AI In his column on the future of the comics business ICV2 contributor Rob Salkowitz included a section about the impact of AI-generated art and writing. This caught my attention: "In fact, the AI is so good that I asked it to write this column in the style of Rob Salkowitz, and I'll bet most of you couldn't even tell the difference!" — Read the rest https://boingboing.net/2023/01/08/columnist-uses-ai-to-write-review-about-ai.html

[arcticdementor]

Earlier this month at San Diego Comic-Con, returning attendees noticed a major change on the show’s massive exhibit floor. The booth for DC Comics, which had been a massive standalone pavilion in the center of the publishers’ area in the center of the hall, was gone. America’s oldest and second-largest comic book publisher had retreated to the far back corner of the hall, where it was incorporated into the multi-level WarnerMedia exhibit, in the shadow of banks of giant monitors previewing upcoming shows and cast appearances.

The subtext of this move could not have been clearer. AT&T—now the parent company of WarnerMedia and its divisions, including DC Comics (previously known as DC Entertainment), HBO, Turner, and Warner Bros.—does not seem terribly interested in being in the comic book publishing business. It’s telling that in a long profile of AT&T CEO John Stankey this morning in Variety, DC was one of the only WarnerMedia brands that was not mentioned. To the extent that DC matters at all in the company’s future, it’s as a source of owned IP for other media channels and as a lifestyle brand to serve as an ambassador to geek culture.

…

In recent months, DC has dropped the axe on its prestige imprint Vertigo, the creative engine behind hits like Sandman, Preacher, Swamp Thing, Doom Patrol and Fables. On the eve of Comic-Con, the company announced the cancellation of MAD, the venerable humor magazine that changed the face of American satire and has been continuously published since the mid-1950s. Neither of these was a big moneymaker in terms of month-to-month sales, but both brands occupy some valuable real estate in the psyche of fans. Even if the properties built on that land are in disrepair, it seems shortsighted to vacate the premises entirely.

…

So where does all that branding leave the publishing business? A generation ago, faced with a similar situation, DC’s then co-President and Publisher Jenette Kahn appealed to Time Warner management that wanted to dramatically cut back on DC’s current publishing in favor of reprints, saying that the company’s new material was the lifeblood of the company, a source of new fans and new IP without which the characters and related merchandise would decline into obscurity. She won that argument and DC, under her stewardship, ended up minting many of the golden coins in which it still trades, including The Dark Knight, Watchmen and Sandman, despite never being a gigantic engine of revenue within the Time Warner corporate umbrella.

Today, DC Comics is in a similar situation. Following a demoralizing mid-decade move from its traditional home in New York to Warner Bros’ headquarters in Burbank, CA, the company has stumbled through various events and line reboots, milking assets like Frank Miller’s once-fresh take on Batman and post-Alan Moore Watchmen for the last dregs of fan appeal and relevance, and relying on high priced milestone thousandth issues of long-running titles like Action Comics and Detective Comics to make up in dollar share what they are losing in unit share of an increasingly crowded comics market.

[comicsbeat]

Where's all the money in comics coming from anyway?

Where’s all the money in comics coming from anyway?

It’s a joke as old as time:

How do you make a small fortune in comics publishing?

Start with a large fortune.

However, as Rob Salkowitz explains in a prescient piece at ICv2, people are just lining up to put their money into comics. In addition to the recent Chinese investment in Dark Horse, there’s DMG and Valiant,  Amazon, Tapas, Webtoons, Humanoids’ new ramp up,  and even Lion Forge, owner of…

[shadowwingtronix]

Explaining TheOdd1sOut To A Non-Fan (by a different non-fan)

BW Media Spotlight takes on a seemingly negative article by Explaining TheOdd1sOut To A Non-Fan (by a different non-fan)

A sample of the comic that led to the web series. Clicking leads to the full strip.

Let me clarify that title before I move on. I have nothing against James Rallison’s comic or video work, nor am I hear to directly talk about said work. This isn’t a review, it’s a response…just one that doesn’t feel harsh enough to give it the BW Vs. title. I did try to watch some of his “storytime” videos but…

[rootfish13]

Here are some of the graphic novels I want to check out at a later date, not all the ones I saw I want to check out or I'd be here all day.

My city library recently had a remodel and they have a manga & graphic novel section finally!

[humanundead]

What’s the name of the book you are reading 👀

Comic Con and the Business of Pop Culture by Rob Salkowitz. since it's 10 years old it's a little outdated (this was before the rise of platforms like webtoon and tapas, the collapse of Diamond’s monopoly on distribution, and the mcu as the overwhelming juggernaut it is today, so i think a revised edition would be rlly cool) but still very interesting especially as an introduction to how the business/market side of comics works and how it relates to and impacts pop culture in general! : )

[stanprokopenko]

Forbes contributor Rob Salkowitz posted an article about new AI technology I'm developing for Proko and the future plans I have for the company. If you're interested in seeing what's in the pipeline please take a moment to read it. I also want to thank you for all the support you've given me. I'm really looking forward to sharing a completely new social online art school and an AI based perspective drawing tool with you in the next several months. Your feedback will be extremely valuable and I won't be able to do it without you.

[englishmansdcc]

SDCC@HOME 2020: Wednesday 22nd July (Preview Night) Online Programming, schedule released

SDCC@HOME 2020: Wednesday 22nd July (Preview Night) Online Programming, @Comic_Con schedule released ft @FaithErinHicks, @ebonydraws, @DavidWalker1201, @BRIANMBENDIS, @robsalk, @paul_levitz and much more...

San Diego Comic-Con 2020 has moved to the virtual space – but the event rolls on as though it is taking place right there in the San Diego Convention Centre, with SDCC@HOME running over the SDCC week (Thursday 23rd – Sunday 26th July; Preview Night, Wednesday 22nd July).

Traditionally, the schedules for the panels are released the equivalent days of the IRL event, two weeks beforehand:…

[comicmix]

Ed Catto: Our Own Worst Enemy

Ed Catto: Our Own Worst Enemy

Much has been written lately about the recent Marvel Retailer Summit and the unfortunate public relations debacle that followed. As you may know, Marvel had arranged to speak with and listen to leading comic shop retailers following a difficult downturn in their comic sales. The fireworks really started in the subsequent ICV2 interview when Marvel’s Senior Vice President of Print, Sales and…

[crazy4comiccon]

COMIC-CONversation With Rob Salkowitz

Enjoy this new COMIC-CONversation with my friend Rob Salkowitz

With only 17 days till San Diego Comic-Con, our final COMIC-CONversation is with my friend Rob Salkowitz. Not only is Rob a seasoned con veteran but he’s the author of Comic-Con and the Business of Pop Culture. He is also an entertainment and pop culture writer for Forbes and ICv2. In this podcast, Rob and I discuss Comic-Con in the 90’s , how pop culture has evolved over the years and speculate…

[redsnerdden]

Kakao Entertainment acquires Tapas Media and Radish Media, Looking to Enter the U.S. Market

Kakao Entertainment acquires Tapas Media and Radish Media, Looking to Enter the U.S. Market #TapasMedia #RadishMedia #WebComics #Webtoons #Manga #Piccoma #Business

In January, Tapas Media saw Big Gains in the Digital Comics Market according to Rob Salkowitz from Publisher’s Weekly. Now it’s a whole new story as the Kakao Company has bought two-story platforms, Tapas Media and Radish Media, which from this day forward both will be just known as “Tapas and Radish”. Image Credit: Kakao Entertainment These two acquisitions lead Kakao Entertainment to expand…

[comicsbeat]

Continuing with our wide-ranging survey of creators from every end of the business on what happened and what’s coming. Some of these precitions for 2019 sound pretty gloomy. What do you think? Are we headed to a new comicsgeddon?  You can check out the other parts of the survey here.

  Tom Peyer, comicsahoy.com, Editor-In-Chief, AHOY Comics

2019 Projects: I wrote two series that will have season finales in early 2019, The Wrong Earth and High Heaven. So will AHOY titles Captain Ginger and Edgar Allan Poe’s Snifter of Terror. We’ll announce their Wave Two replacements soon (if we haven’t already by the time this goes out).

What was the biggest story in comics in 2018? The death of Stan Lee.

What will be the biggest story in comics in 2019? I gave up making predictions on November 9, 2016.

James Romberger, Cartoonist, gallery artist, critic, teacher

2019 Projects: The graphic novel version of Post York, major publisher to be announced soon

What was the biggest story in comics in 2018? Probably the death of the most polarizing individual with the most problematic legacy in comics: Stan Lee

What will be the biggest story in comics in 2019? Doubtless, the further infiltration of comics characters into movies, at the same time that sales of mainstream comics decline, as meanwhile alt/lit comics become more inclusive, while academia continues to incorporate comics in the curriculum

Stuart Moore, Writer/Cat Herder

2019 Projects: X-MEN: THE DARK PHOENIX SAGA (prose novel) – May 2019 BATMAN: NIGHTWALKER gn (adaptation) – DC Ink – summer 2019 And several new creator-owned comics that I can’t talk about yet!

What was the biggest story in comics in 2018? The explosion of new imprints and small companies. Creatively, it’s a very exciting time.

What will be the biggest story in comics in 2019? The continuing convergence of comics with other entertainment media. There will be winners, losers, and lots of shades in between.

Taimur Dar, Journalist/Marketing Associate

2019 Projects: Still contributing to the Beat in addition to my continued involvement overseeing the offi cial social media and promotion of the late/great Dwayne McDuffie. Some potentially BIG things related to McDuffie coming in the near future I’m not at liberty to discuss so fans should definitely keep an eye out.

What was the biggest story in comics in 2018? The rise of and fall of C*micsGate.

What will be the biggest story in comics in 2019? Before the recent glut of new comic publishers I would have said the launch of the new comic publication from Bill Jemas. Yet the involvement of former Marvel EiC Axel Alonso has me curious to see what form the company takes and the status of these new publication by the end of next year.

What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2019? Probably Season 2 of TITANS on DC Universe which has me hooked despite my qualms about the dark direction and portrayals of certain characters. On the flip side, I’m excited for Zachary Levi as the titular hero in SHAZAM! which may finally bring much needed levity to the gritty DCEU. Hopefully it doesn’t turn into another GREEN LANTERN, but however the film turns out, it looks like fun!

Who inspired you in 2018? Brian Michael Bendis for his ongoing positivity in the face of his near death experience with his MRSA infection last year. Also the way he promotes the works of others on his various social media and just his general kindness towards fans.

David Harper, Host of Off Panel podcast

2019 Projects: More of Off Panel, more freelance projects, possibly…other things

What was the biggest story in comics in 2018? In terms of volume and attention, probably C*micsgate and the endless awfulness that crew brought to the table. In terms of long-term impact, probably a combination of the continued rise of all-ages comics (especially with Gina Gagliano leading the new RHCB graphic novel imprint) and the change in leadership over at DC, which seemingly has resulted in some changes in strategy, most notably the at best neutering and at worst early death of the Black Label imprint.

What will be the biggest story in comics in 2019? Raina Telgemeier has two books coming out, so I’d be shocked if it wasn’t Raina’s return to the top of the kids comics ranks.

What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2019? I feel zero guilt for it, but I could not be more excited for Godzilla: King of the Monsters.

Who inspired you in 2018? Zach Lowe. This NBA writer and podcaster for ESPN is my favorite writer and podcaster around. If the comic industry had someone with that approach talking about comics, we’d be all the better for it.

Karen Green, Curator for Comics and Cartoons, Columbia University

2019 Projects: Sadly, I can never talk about what’s coming up until the deeds of gift are signed…

What was the biggest story in comics in 2018? Industry pushback to the bullies of C*micsgate

What will be the biggest story in comics in 2019? With any luck, the complete collapse of C*micsgate and its ilk

What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2019? No pleasure ever makes me feel guilty

Jimmie Robinson, Writer/Artist

2019 Projects: ARTillery: Weapons of art

What was the biggest story in comics in 2018? Black Panther movie

What will be the biggest story in comics in 2019? San Diego Comic Con 50th anniversary

What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2019? Being an Eisner Awards judge

    Hart Seely, Publisher AHOY Comics

2019 Projects: I do all the crapola work on AHOY Comics. The editors do the fun stuff. But – plug coming: This spring AHOY will launch a new wave of comics, and we are insanely proud of them.

What was the biggest story in comics in 2018? Probably the appearance of Batman’s junk, a reflection of the lengths to which a frightened industry will go to get attention.

What will be the biggest story in comics in 2019? Somebody else’s junk, I suppose.

What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2019? The Yankees, if they can just find pitching, pitching, PITCHING!

Who inspired you in 2018? My kids, all grown-up, who fight every day to get by in a world that my generation – the Baby Boomers – has totally botched. History will not treat us fondly. But young people – from the Stoneman Douglas students to those who march in social causes everywhere – give me hope. They may prove to be the only thing we did right.

Jim Ottaviani, Writer

2019 Projects: HAWKING will come out in July, with art by Leland Myrick. It’s the biography of a guy who made a number of cameos on The Simpsons and The Big Bang Theory and did some science too.

What was the biggest story in comics in 2018? I’m sure plenty of stuff happened, but between work and the state of the world, I clearly missed most of it.

Shaenon K. Garrity, writer, editor, cartoonist

2019 Projects: Skin Horse, the online strip I create with my co-writer Jeffrey C. Wells and colorist Pancha Diaz, had its tenth anniversary in 2018. We plan to get Volumes 7 and 8 out in print this year. In non- comics news, I recently finished a sci-fi novel, so this year I’ll be looking for a publisher.

What was the biggest story in comics in 2018? It continues to be exciting to see the industry branch into new publishing models, both online and in print. Anyone who isn’t following Iron Circus Comics is a dang fool.

What will be the biggest story in comics in 2019? I hope it’ll involve more spectacular work from up-and-coming creators. In 2018 I was blown away by Tillie Walden, Carolyn Nowak, and Aminder Dhaliwal, among many others. More of that, please!

Brandon Easton, Writer

2019 Projects: VAMPIRE HUNTER D: MESSAGE FROM MARS OGN CATALYST PRIME: INCIDENTALS Netflix TV Series (that I cannot mention yet) PBS Children’s TV Series (cannot mention yet)

What was the biggest story in comics in 2018? C*micsgate and the subsequent fallout.

What will be the biggest story in comics in 2019? How Marvel and Fox will merge the ancillary superhero properties and how this will affect the printed versions of the characters.

Ed Catto, Marketing Consultant and Professor of Entrepreneurship

2019 Projects: At Ithaca College – I’ll be teaching the groundbreaking ITHACON course. Ithaca College will be offering a new course for the spring 2019 semester: Creating and Promoting ITHACON. Students enrolled in the course will help organize and promote ITHACON, the second-longest running comic convention in the nation.

Designed for students interested in learning about event planning, celebrity management and pop culture marketing, the course will provide a unique hands-on learning opportunity. Students will take a lead role in planning for Ithacon 44 (the nation’s second longest running comic convention), from assessing material and staffi ng needs, logistical preparation, and managing the weekend-long event, in addition to marketing the convention by preparing press releases, crafting social media campaigns and developing partnerships with local and national businesses, publishers and entertainment properties.

What was the biggest story in comics in 2018? C*micsGate

What will be the biggest story in comics in 2019? The continued dominance of Geek Culture (stretching far beyond traditional superhero movies and TV shows)

What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2019? More AHOY! Comics

Who inspired you in 2018? Chris Ryall – taking the high road, staying positive and ending the year on a high note.

Rob Salkowitz, Author/journalist

2019 Projects: Secret new book on comics and media

What was the biggest story in comics in 2018? Streaming wars create windfall for comic creators with ready-for-primetime IP

What will be the biggest story in comics in 2019? All the “stupid money” in publishing dries up at once, leading to big market implosion and lots of pissed-off creators

What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2019? San Diego Comic Fest

Claire Napier, Editor & cartoonist

2019 Projects: BUN&TEA, a serial comics magazine for adults who like stories; Dash Dearborne & the Unexpected Earthman #2; secret collab projects

What was the biggest story in comics in 2018? Batman’s penis or the Man Booker prize or, probably, Telgemeier again

What will be the biggest story in comics in 2019? Collapse

What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2019? Disliking Ghostbusters comics for petty reasons

  The Beat's Annual Creator Survey Part 3: Predictions and a Stephen Hawking preview - and more! Continuing with our wide-ranging survey of creators from every end of the business on what happened and what's coming.