The launch of K-ComicsBeat, the fight against AI comics, and more— The Comic Bookmarks 8/4/2024

It’s the week after SDCC so things are expected to be a bit quiet but our headlines are just depressing, dealing with abuses of power, overstepping the role of an editor or creator, or just being completely deaf to the fallacies of AI.

But before we get to the headlines, here’s what we’ve been up to on this site for the past couple of weeks.

One Last Dose of Joe Matt’s Self-Deprecating Humor in Peepshow #15

Joe Matt is the target of the ridicule and jokes but he’s also the one telling the jokes.

From Cover to CoverScott Cederlund

Atsushi Kaneko Uses Action To Reveal Character in Search and Destroy Vol. 1

Search and Destroy is a revenge thriller you feel in your bones.

From Cover to CoverScott Cederlund

Headlines

Exclusive: Two more women accuse Neil Gaiman of sexual assault and abuse - Tortoise

First on-the-record allegations against the author allege abuse going back to 1986 and reveal another non-disclosure agreement, this one with a $275,000 settlement.

TortoisePaul Caruana Galizia

There’s a pattern of abuse here in these narratives, of a powerful man abusing that power to have his way with women. And now it goes back to the 80s and establishes that this is who Gaiman has always been.

I would still love to see reports that corroborate these reports just because Tortiose is a bit suspect. But it’s also telling that no one has some forward to support Gaiman either. I wonder when Disney, Netflix, or Amazon are going to be forced to either make a statement in support of Gaiman or disaffiliate themselves with him.

Wolverine Co-Creator Roy Thomas on His ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Credit: “My Name Should Have Come First”

The former Marvel editor-in-chief shares his thoughts after seeing the movie — and responds following a controversy surrounding him getting co-creator credit on the popular character.

The Hollywood ReporterRoy Thomas

How long until Roy Thomas thinks he should have the sole credit for Wolverine? And what a smug, self-congratulatory piece of self-promotion this is.

Colin Kaepernick lost control of his story. Now he wants to help creators own theirs | TechCrunch

Thousands of stories have been written about former NFL quarterback and civil rights activist Colin Kaepernick. If anyone knows a thing or two about

TechCrunchMaxwell Zeff

So the latest is that Colin Kaepernick is now a tech-bro, singing the praises of AI to create stories? It’s just a whole, weird turn to take by completely glossing over revealing what sources were used to train their AI to be storyteller.

Below is Khary Randolph’s response to Kaepernick’s AI endeavors. The Beat has many more responses like this one.

Comic Sites on Comic Sites

Congrats to Heidi and Deb. I’m excited to see what they do with this new site!

The Funny Pages

I have Lesniewski’s newest book from Oni Press and it just kind of intimidates me. His art reminds me of Tradd Moore’s recent stuff in how it just brings in such a unique design sense to create captivating images like this one.

Of all the things I expected could become viral moments out of the Paris Olympics, a Turkish shooter was not on my bingo card.

Interviews

Lale Westvind and Aidan Koch in Conversation: ‘Creative Energy Is a Holy Thing’ – The Comics Journal #310 Preview - The Comics Journal

Aidan Koch (Spiral and Other Stories) and Lale Westvind (Grip), moderated by Austin English, have a conversation about self-publishing, inspiration, process, and more.

The Comics JournalThe Editors

Artists talking to artists about art. We need more of this kind of stuff.

Reviews & Features

Legacy Comics: Two New Alternative Funnybooks - The Comics Journal

It’s funnybook o’ clock and you’re just in time: Helen Chazan discusses Joe Matt’s final installment in Peepshow #15 and what is not even close to the first issue in the series of Caroline Cash’s PeePee PooPoo #1.

The Comics JournalHelen Chazan

Helen Chazan explores to comics with a good old-fashioned alternative comic viewpoint around them.

SDCC ’24: Say it ain’t so! Chainsaw Man named one of the worst on Best and Worst Manga of 2024

Deb Aoki goes into the best and worst in Manga for 2024, with a surprising nomination for Chain Saw Man! All in San Diego Comic-Con 2024.

The BeatBeat Staff

I always love to see what ends up on these lists.