She Makes Comics, Marisa Stotter’s documentary about women in comics, is now available. You can download it for $9.99 or pre-order a DVD for $19.99 (It’s $24.99 for both.), all from the Sequart website. The documentary studies the history of women in comics with interviews with Karen Berger, Gail Simone, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Jenette Kahn, Becky Cloonan, Colleen Doran, Wendi Pini, Kate Leth, Raina Telgemeier, Marjorie Liu, Louise Simonson…and yes, little old me. Hugh Armitage has a very favorable review.
Here’s an exclusive clip from the film where Liz Schiller, Jackie Estrada, Trina Robbins and I about the formation of the Friend of Lulu, a long running organization for women in comics that pioneered a lot of the approach to marketing and retailing to female readers that you see today. Among the events discussed, the 1993 meeting in San Diego where Friends of Lulu was born—one of my fondest memories ever.
A little last minute post here, but I'll be at the NY Comic Con today from 4-5pm at the MoCCa/ Friends of Lulu booth, #840- signing their latest anthology, Girls' Guide to Guys' Stuff, in which I am one of the contributors. See you there!
He's not feeling good. It's cold out. What better way to spend the night than sitting downstairs watching Dora the Explorer on DVD?
Side note: I'm starting to sense some recurring themes on this show.
- They always have to get from Point A to Point B.
- They always use that goofy Super Map guy to get the job done.
- There's some really um...grating songs on there.
- That one Swiper guy always tries to steal Dora's crap and whenever he's foiled (which is all the time) he say's "Awww...man!"
Anyway. It was a good night.
NOTE TO SELF: SEEMS WE HAVE A LOT TO WORRY ABOUT THIS CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY SHOPPING
As soon as she had found the perfect present for her niece and dropped it in her shopping cart, Lovey Lane had a nagging worry.
"It just hit me -- this is made in China," the Dundalk resident said, checking the Disney princess costume box and scrutinizing the beads adorning a tiara as a possible hazard. "I thought I'd better put it back."
But the Pirates of the Caribbean ship for her nephew stayed put in the cart, as Lane reasoned that the plastic toy was not likely tainted by lead.
"Of course, we don't know what paint they're using," said Lane, shopping yesterday morning at Toys "R" Us in the Golden Ring area of Baltimore County.
After months of recalls that have seen millions of toys pulled from store shelves -- including classics such as Thomas the Tank Engine, Dora the Explorer and Big Bird -- anxiety was palpable in the toy aisles on the day after Thanksgiving. Warnings of lead paint and choking hazards, and even chemical coatings that could be transformed into a "date rape" drug if ingested, have gotten shoppers' attention.
Full Story Here:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bal-te.bz.toys24nov24,0,3673506.story
Toy safety tips
• Children under age 3: Avoid toys with small parts, which pose a choking hazard.
• Children under 6: Avoid building sets with small magnets. If they are swallowed, serious injuries or death can occur.
• Children under 8: Avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.
• Riding toys, skateboards and in-line skates can cause fatal falls. Helmets and safety gear should be worn and sized to fit.
• Projectile toys such as air rockets, darts and slingshots, intended for older children, can result in serious eye injuries.
• Chargers and adapters should be supervised by adults to prevent burn hazards.
• Read toy labels for age and safety recommendations.
[Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission]
Shopping for children's toys has become complicated. Perhaps it's time for consumers to seriously consider buying products and goods made locally.
“Have you guys seen what Acey and Z-Bot did over at Gamepowa? They’ve got a Video Game Store that is packed with everything! It’s got mostly video games but there must be a thousand things in there you can buy!”
“Yeah and they gots all the ones that they did reviews for on the front page but there’s sections too! They got Dora the Explorer and Harvest Moon and Kirby and everything! Acey says they’re gonna add Eternal Sonata after Z-bot gets back with the review stuff!”
“Check it out, folks. If you’re like us and you love those video games, you’ll find all the best ones in Space Girl’s Store! Don’t forget to vote in the survey. Over on the left side there’s a survey for our Community Discussion feature poll that we’re taking. It’s the tall red box with the gold letters. Everyone should vote once, so join in! We out!”
.jpg?picon=479)
.jpg?picon=1233)
This looks pretty interesting. May I suggest the filmmakers post more clips, like 3 or 4. Even if its their DVD extras, that would help the cause. This might be a hard sell so the more content shared the better.
There’s a lot of insincere pandering towards women in the comic world in the hope of getting their dollars and less grief (Hey look who’s at the Marvel retreat, oh hey look over here, see who works in the Image offices, changing characters gender and race) It would be better women and minorities just had a fairer path into entering the industry in bigger numbers without being a Marvel favorite, being some kind celebrity somewhere else or married to someone. It’ll be at a slow drip for a long time this way. Some of us want to hear and see other voices, for a change.
My suggestion, along with the monthly stats chart on Marvel, DC & Image. Why not do a monthly stats chart on the the gender and race of each team who works on those 300 books each and every month for Marvel, DC and Image. It is a bit on the hardball side but should bring the point home clearer for those who to keep out of sight, out of mind. It would be a good reference chart for the national press too every month. Numbers can be more effective than fed up rants. Bet a few things would change after that. I would even make it a Patreon goal to do it . I’m guessing it would get much support. Just an idea.
Merry Christmas.