News for Saturday, December 2, 2023

Canadian creators on list for School Library Journal’s best of 2023
School Library Journal published its list of the best books for 2023. Canadian creators were well represented including:
Graphic Novels
Graham Annable for Eerie Tales from the School of Screams
Scott Chandler for Squire & Knight
Transitional Books
Tara Audibert for illustrating Jo Jo Makoons: Snow Day
Read more at https://www.slj.com/page/best-books-2023

Group of 7 Comics Hits The Road…To France
On his LinkedIn post, Chris Sanagan co-creator of Group of 7 Comics wrote that he and co-creator Jason Lapidus will be exhibiting in Pavillon Canada at the 51st edition of Festival Angoulême (January 25-28) alongside Livres Canada Books. Read more at https://www.linkedin.com/posts/chris-sanagan-6497171bb_beyond-thrilled-to-share-were-taking-group-activity-7135977786808180736-_8TC

Natasha Donovan illustrates new book
Quill & Quire wrote about illustrator Natasha Donovan’s new book When the Stars Came Home. Written by Brittany Luby, the book is published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers. Read more at https://quillandquire.com/review/when-the-stars-came-home/

Review of award-winning graphic novel King Warrior
NNSL Media reviewed the Northwords Book award-winning graphic novel King Warrior. Written by Jay Bulckaert and Erika Nyyssonen with illustration by Lucas Green, the book is published by Renegade Arts Entertainment. Read more at https://www.nnsl.com/arts/grace-guy-assembling-king-warrior-was-no-doubt-a-vast-undertaking/

Chip Zdarsky reflects on career-changing R-rated comic
Screen Rant wrote about Chip Zdarsky’s recent Substack post in which he comments on the impact that Sex Criminals had on his mainstream comics career. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, Sex Criminals, published by Image Comics was co-created by Matt Fraction and won an Eisner award. Read more at https://screenrant.com/batman-daredevil-writer-r-rated-comic-sex-criminals-zdarsky/

Shout out to comic creators to apply for funding
On its Instagram feed, Toronto Comic Arts Festival issued a post for comic creators to apply for funding for 2024. TCAF is partnering with the Ontario Arts Council to provide project grants to comic creators. Read more at https://www.instagram.com/p/C0E28HBAxvP/

Jason Loo talks about Howard the Duck
AIPT interviewed Jason Loo who has taken on the writing duties for Howard the Duck #1 now on sale. Jason talks about his history with the duck, the X-Men connection, and a sneak peak of Infinite Paws. Read more at https://aiptcomics.com/2023/11/27/x-men-monday-jason-loo-howard-the-duck/

Scott Chantler makes top 50 New Zealand children’s books
The New Zealand Herald published its list of the 50 top children’s books of the year. The list includes Scott Chantler’s Squire & Knight. Read more at https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener/books/the-year-in-books-50-top-childrens-books/KNIW6TK3DBGTTEFLCKW22IR62M/

Howard Wong and others to help kids create comic books
On his LinkedIn feed, Howard Wong announced a new educational program starting in the new year aimed at helping kids create comic books. Taking place at Heroes World, in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Howard will be joined by David Dias, Jason Lapidus, Keith Grachow, and Mike Del Mundo to educate future comic book creators. Read more at https://www.linkedin.com/posts/howardwong1_kids-creating-comic-books-activity-7136203413280747520-26rY/

And in case you missed it, Claire Lordon chatted about her new graphic memoir One In A Million. Discover more at https://truenorthcountrycomics.com/2023/11/29/claire-lordon-talks-about-one-in-a-million/