Comics Bulletin

From Hey Kids Comics

Comics Bulletin
275px
Screenshot of Comics Bulletin main page, 5 December 2011
Web address [1]
Type of site comic book
Registration yes
Available language(s) English
Owner Jason Sacks
Created by Jason Brice
Launched January 2000 (2000-01)

Comics Bulletin is a website with an emphasis on the American comic book industry, updated daily with news, reviews, interviews, and editorial content. Coverage ranges from mainstream to independent/small press comic book and graphic novel publishers, with a recent shift towards focus on small press and creator-owned works.

History[edit | edit source]

Silver Bullet Comics[edit | edit source]

The site was founded in January 2000 as Silver Bullet Comic Books by its New Zealand based publisher/editor Jason Brice. On January 14, 2008, the site was relaunched as Comics Bulletin, in order to avoid confusion with a retail site.

Silver Bullet contributor Clifford Meth, in a Silver Bullet column called Past Masters, 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.

In 2005, Silver Bullet partnered with Aardwolf Publishing to publish a benefit book, benefiting ailing comics writer/artist William Messner-Loebs. Silver Bullet provided advertising and promotion of the project on their site at no charge.[1]

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.[2]

Online comics blogger Johanna Draper Carlson suggested that the name change to Comics Bulletin was the result of pressure from the unrelated but similarly named comics retailer Silver Bullet Comics, "...since SBC had a US trademark registration".[3] The dispute arose at the same time that the retailer was experiencing criticism and customer complaints.[4]

Comics Bulletin[edit | edit source]

In 2008 Jason Sacks took over from Keith Dallas as editor-in-chief for the site, and revamped the design and attitude of the site. Eventually buying the site outright in 2011, he is the current owner and publisher of the site. The site, now operating solely as Comics Bulletin, debuted a podcast in the same year, called 'Comics You Can Dance To', alongside a number of new columns. Notable writers for the site currently include Kate Leth and Don McGregor.

Regular Features[edit | edit source]

  • What Looks Good by Matt Spatola and Kyle Garret
  • Comics Grind and Rewind by Zack Davisson
  • Comics You Can Dance To, the official podcast for the site, hosted by Nathaniel MacDonald and Danny Djeljosevic
  • The Squeaky Wheel by kyrax2, who first came to fame as 'The San Diego Batgirl' after her attendance at every DC panel during 2011's San Diego Comic Con brought widespread attention to DC's handling of their female creators and characters.
  • Kate Or Die by Kate Leth
  • Riding Shotgun by Don McGregor
  • Killing Jokes by Steve Morris, which explores the use of humour in comics
  • Fool Britannia by Regie Rigby
  • Manifesto by Jason Sacks, an editorial which addresses some of the bigger questions about the industry
  • 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[edit | edit source]

Awards[edit | edit source]

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"[5]
  • 2005 Eagle Award winner for "Favourite Comics-Related Website"[6]
  • 2006 Eagle Award nomination for "Favourite Comics-Related Website"[7]
  • 2006 Gibson Comic Awards nominated for "Favourite Web Related Material"[8]


References[edit | edit source]

  1. Jonah Weiland (February 17, 2005). "AARDWORLF TO PUBLISH BILL MESSNER-LOEBS BENEFIT BOOK". Comic Book Resources. 
  2. Dave Sim (2007). "Craig R. Johnson defends Dave Sim". Dave Sim's blogandmail. Retrieved 2008-01-26. 
  3. 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. 
  4. JK Parkin (2007). "Comics retailer and Silver Bullet Comic Books go head to head". Newsarama. Retrieved 2008-01-26. 
  5. "The Eagle Awards - Results 2005". Eagle Awards. 2004. Archived from the original on 2007-11-28. Retrieved 2008-01-24. 
  6. "The Eagle Awards - Results 2005". Eagle Awards. 2005. Retrieved 2008-01-24. [dead link]
  7. "The Eagle Awards - Results 2006". Eagle Awards. 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-10-13. Retrieved 2008-01-24. 
  8. "Gibson Comic Awards". Gibson Comic Awards. 2006. Retrieved 2008-01-24. 

External links[edit | edit source]