Showing posts with label Comic Books Related. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Comic Books Related. Show all posts

31 July 2020

Blue Handle Publishing Announces Graphic Novel Contest for the Neil Baggio Series and Release of Colloquium

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Blue Handle Publishing Announces Graphic Novel Contest for the Neil Baggio Series and Release of Colloquium
Neil Baggio Logo
Following the great response of the first Neil Baggio book, Veritas, a suspense novel by author Charles D'Amico that follows investigator Neil Baggio as he tracks his mentor-turned-famed killer Frank Cappelano from Detroit to Washington D.C., Blue Handle Publishing, LLC has released the second and third installments of the Neil Baggio series. The second installment entitled Ave Maria, is out now. The third installment, Colloquium releases August 1st. 
Follow Neil as he balances interviewing the most notorious inmate at FCI Milan with chasing down a missing girl.
Blue Handle Publishing announces the Neil Baggio Graphic Novel Contest. They will be taking submissions thru November and announcing a winner on 12/31/20. 

  • See the website for details and prizes involved. 
Blue Handle Publishing Announces Graphic Novel Contest for the Neil Baggio Series and Release of Colloquium
Ave Maria Cover
"The Neil Baggio Series is an ever-growing franchise with endless possibilities," quotes one industry expert
"Similar to Veritas and Ave Maria, Colloquium brings thrilling storytelling and edge-of-your-seat suspense from the first page all the way through to the end," said D'Amico. "Whether you're a fan of the first two books or brand new to the Neil Baggio series, Colloquium will take you on a gripping ride that will make the book hard to put down."
Blue Handle Publishing Announces Graphic Novel Contest for the Neil Baggio Series and Release of Colloquium
Colloquium Cover
Blue Handle Publishing will also release more installments in the Neil Baggio series over the next few months. Requiem, the fourth installment of the series, is set to release on September 1st. Additionally, there will be two spin-off stories from the Neil Baggio universe. One is entitled Frank's Journal — Volume 1, set to release on October 6th, which will tell the story of Veritas from the perspective of the killer. And the other, entitled Fille Perdue, set to part of The Marie Perdita Suspense Series, has a release date of December 10th.

In conjunction with the 3rd Release in the Neil Baggio Series, Blue Handle Publishing announces the next way to experience Neil Baggio. From traditional reading and audio to Graphic Novels. Where will this character and the Neil Baggio Universe take us next?


  • In addition to the Neil Baggio series and the spin-off stories from it, Blue Handle Publishing is also currently working with Amazon best-selling author Andrew J Brandt. Blue Handle Publishing is set to publish Brandt's highly-anticipated upcoming thriller, The Unwinding Cable Car, on November 17th.
Blue Handle Publishing Announces Graphic Novel Contest for the Neil Baggio Series and Release of Colloquium
Neil Baggio Universe

About Blue Handle Publishing

Based in Amarillo, Blue Handle Publishing is a West Texas publishing company founded to build the Panhandle's presence in the literary world. The company follows this by exclusively working with authors local to the West Texas area.


SOURCE: Blue Handle Publishing

18 July 2020

How To Take Part In Comic-Con@Home July 22-26, 2020

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Comic-Con@Home Badge Sponsored by Amazon and Prime Video
San Diego Comic Convention (Comic-Con), the world's premier event of its kind, today announced details of its first-ever virtual event, Comic-Con@Home.

For the first time in its 50-year history, Comic-Con organizers were forced to make the heartbreaking decision to cancel the annual celebration of comics and pop culture. Soon after the cancelation, they announced an online version to launch July 22, the official start date of the originally scheduled convention. 

"We're very excited about bringing Comic-Con online," said David Glanzer, spokesperson for the nonprofit organization. "And it couldn't have been achieved without the help and support of so many of our usual friends, and some new ones too."
The virtual event will exist on the www.comic-con.org website which, at 9:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, will transform to Comic-Con@Home. The redesigned Home Page will be the means by which participants can access programming, the Online Exhibit Hall, and various events and interactive elements, as each will be supported by a variety of different platforms. While programming for each day will be available on the website, Comic-Con is working again with Sched.com for those who would like to create their own daily schedule.

Joining in the fun is the Comic-Con Museum which has long planned an interactive component to their efforts. They began offering activities through Comic-Con Museum@Home earlier this summer which will continue through the Comic-Con@Home weekend and beyond.


  • YouTube will host over 350 panels and programs as well as the 2020 Eisner Awards. 
  • The Online Exhibit Hall, with approximately 700 exhibitors, will exist on the GoExpo by Community Brands page. 
  • And for fans of Gaming, those activities will live on the Discord platform.
How To Take Part In Comic-Con@Home July 22-26, 2020
ComicCon@Home 2020 Currently Attending Window Sign (image via www.comic-con.org)
Fans will be excited to learn that DC Comics, longtime supporters of Comic-Con, will again provide exceptional artwork for the official event T-shirt. The event T-shirt will be accompanied by an assortment of official Comic-Con-related and Comic-Con Museum-related merchandise available on the Merch store page on the Comic-Con website.

Amazon and Prime Video are official sponsors of Comic-Con@Home and will be treating fans to additional activities from a variety of Amazon-owned platforms through their Amazon Virtual-Con portal. Prime Video is also the official sponsor of the Comic-Con 2020 print-at-home badge, which will allow participants to print and wear the free badge and take part in many fun, yet to be announced, interactive challenges.

Collaborator and sponsor IGN will stream roughly 34 Comic-Con@Home panels as well as produce extensive hosted shoulder content, hosted interviews and more, all in support of the online initiative.

Tumblr will serve as the platform for both the Comic-Con Art Show and the always popular Masquerade. The 46th annual Masquerade will open for viewing Friday, July 24, and winners announced on Saturday, July 25.

Films and anime have long been popular elements at Comic-Con. This tradition continues as both will employ the Scener Watch Party Platform, Funimation will exclusively host all of the anime watch parties including Black Clover and Fruits Basket. Scener is a Chrome browser plug-in that will allow fans the ability to simultaneously watch and discuss movies and anime.

Anyone who has visited Comic-Con is familiar with and may have participated in the outside activations (immersive experiences). Even they will be represented as FX will unveil the digital experience: FX UNLOCKED- where fans will engage with virtual activations for American Horror Story, What We Do in The Shadows, Cake and DAVE.

FutureTechLive! returns for a fifth year to present the virtual "World Builders" activation, featuring content by a global community of creators. In this unique experience, participants can explore new worlds in mixed reality, and unleash their imagination to create some of their own!

If that weren't enough, there will be a number of activities including portfolio review, gaming, a SideWalk Art Challenge, a Cosplay Challenge, the SuperVolunteer Challenge, and even some shared recipes should you need a break and a little sustenance during the Comic-Con@Home weekend.

Comic-Con will also be offering an online version of its Souvenir Book, which will be available as a free, downloadable PDF, starting on Wednesday, July 22. The 260-page book contains new art and articles celebrating various anniversaries, including the 100th birthdays of Ray Bradbury and Ray Harryhausen, plus celebrations of EC Comics, Moomin, Jack Kirby's Fourth World comics, and more. This year's cover is by William Stout.

"This type of online event is a first for us," Glanzer continued, "and we are grateful for the support of all involved. Our hope is that Comic-Con can provide a small respite from the confines of various stay-at-home orders. While we can't be together in person, we can be together online."

15 July 2020

Black-Owned Superhero Brand Offers Hope & Escapism in Times of Pain

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Black-Owned Superhero Brand Offers Hope & Escapism in Times of Pain
Aza Comics Supports Black Lives Matter
Aza Comics, owned by black woman creator Jazmin Truesdale and known for its roster of multicultural female superheroes, is aiming to continue providing hope and escapism for the world as people support the Black Lives Matter movement. 
"Aza Comics has always addressed the issues of black people in its storylines," says Truesdale, "I'm just happy that now people are finally understanding what is happening and joining this fight that is truly everyone's fight."
The Aza Universe is centered almost entirely around women of color and has always tried to provide hope and inspiration for women around the world as they face various issues like racial inequity, sexism, misogyny and homophobia. 

This hits especially close to home for Truesdale as countless black women like Sandra Bland and Breonna Taylor have yet to see justice in a time when black women face the highest rates of homicide in the US. 

During this time, Aza Comics received an incredible growth in sales and exposure as more people discovered what the Aza superhero universe is all about. 
"I just want people to at least feel safe in their imagination," says Truesdale. "For black people and many other people of color, everywhere we look pain is reflecting back at us. I want Aza Comics to be that escape where you can feel heard and empowered to fight another day."
Black-Owned Superhero Brand Offers Hope & Escapism in Times of Pain
Aza Comics
Aza Comics has a lot in store this year for its growing number of fans. "We will do what we've always done," says Truesdale," Continue to grow and enrich the lives of people of color around the world and partner with people and brands who truly care about the lives of others.
 The company plans to use its revenue to invest in entrepreneurs of color, support women athletes, expand its universe with more inclusive superheroes and do what it can to continue being a voice.
Aza Comics is a superhero brand based in Durham, North Carolina founded by serial entrepreneur and author Jazmin Truesdale. The company is known for its multicultural female superheroes and philanthropic initiatives that have been featured in Vogue, TIME, USA Today, and various other national and international publications.

For more information visit www.AzaComics.com.
SOURCE: Aza Comics

18 June 2020

Free Comic Book Day 2020 to Take Place July 15 through September 9

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Free Comic Book Day 2020 to Take Place July 15 through September 9
Free Comic Book Day 2020 to Take Place July 15 through September 9 (image via Free Comic Book Day site)
Free Comic Book Day, the comic book industry's largest annual promotional event, is traditionally scheduled to take place the first Saturday in May each year. However, the impact and spread of COVID-19 prevented the event from being celebrated at its normal time this year. Now, the beloved event has been rescheduled and reworked to take place throughout July and early September in order to accommodate social-distancing and store capacity regulations across the country, effectively making it Free Comic Book Summer!

Scheduled to take place between July 15 and September 9, retailers will receive five to six Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) titles in their weekly shipments during each week of the promotional window. Release of these titles may vary from shop to shop, as retailers are encouraged to release the books as they see fit for their unique circumstances.

Retailers may release one free title a day, make all of that week's free titles available at once, or any other plan that works for them. Free Comic Book Summer is designed to be flexible and customizable so retailers and consumers can get the most out the event.

Free Comic Book Day 2020 to Take Place July 15 through September 9
Available on July 15, FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2020: X-MEN will feature a brand-new X-MEN story by Jonathan Hickman and Pepe Larraz that will lead into the game-changing X OF SWORDS crossover! The second story will also foreshadow an upcoming epic tale by Tom Taylor and Iban Coello. (image via Free Comic Book Day site)
"Every year, Free Comic Book Day is our big event to thank current comics fans, welcome back former fans and invite those new to comics to join the fun," said Joe Field, originator of FCBD, and owner of Flying Colors Comics in Concord, CA. "In this very different year, Free Comic Book Day is more like Free Comic Book Summer... and there's so much fun to discover in this year's FCBD comics! So many cool stories are available for this stretched-out Free Comic Book Day 2020. I'm confident long-time fans and newcomers alike are going to find a story that'll make them want to visit their local comic shop every week! Fans, bring your friends and family and head to your local comic shop every week starting July 15 through September 9 to check out the new, and fantastic, free comics available that week!"
  • Free Comic Book Summer will feature 45 of the previously announced titles from publishers like Marvel Comics, Image Comics, BOOM! Studios, Dark Horse Comics, IDW Publishing, Dynamite Entertainment, DC, and more! 
  • The 45 titles are designed to appeal to a broad range of tastes and run the gamut from superhero stories, to TV and movie tie-ins, to sci-fi adventures, all-ages tales, and beyond. 
  • There will also be two educational support titles from the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and Gemstone Publishing.
A complete listing of all 45 FCBD titles, including the 10 Gold Sponsor and 35 Silver Sponsor comic books, can be viewed online at freecomicbookday.com

Free Comic Book Day 2020 to Take Place July 15 through September 9
On July 22, FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2020: SPIDER-MAN/VENOM will provide two exciting tales connected to the coming major storylines in VENOM, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN and BLACK CAT from top creators Donny Cates, Ryan Stegman, Jed MacKay, and Patrick Gleason and more! (image via Free Comic Book Day site)
  • To view the weekly release schedule, click here.

SOURCE: Diamond Comic Distributors

17 March 2020

Aza Comics Superheroes, The Keepers, Help Relieve Cabin Fever

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Aza Comics Superheroes, The Keepers, Help Relieve Cabin Fever
Aza Comics
Aza Comics, known for its roster of multicultural female superheroes, is aiming to do all that it can to help save everyone from the Coronavirus blues. 

The company has assembled an assortment of online games, puzzles, superhero quizzes, music playlists, dance challenges, Women's History Month trivia and more to help entertain everyone as more and more people are finding it necessary to stay home due to the coronavirus. 
 "Schools are closing down, people are working from home, events are being cancelled...including our own events that we just announced. This thing is affecting all of us," says CEO and creator of Aza Comics, Jazmin Truesdale. "It's only a matter of time before we're all getting cabin fever sitting at home waiting this thing out."
Aza Comics is even hosting an online cosplay contest that adults and kids can participate in for prizes. People can dress up as Aza Characters or any other superhero that they wish, post images via social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and tag Aza Comics. Participants with the best and most creative costumes can win gifts and cash prizes. 
 "It's like a virtual comic con that the world can participate in," says Truesdale. "I'm pretty excited to see what kinds of things people come up with. I mean, if we're all going to be stuck at home, we might as well make the most of it."
Aza Comics will also include tips for helping to fight the coronavirus as recommended by the CDC so that everyone can do their part and keep themselves and others safe. 

Aza Comics Superheroes, The Keepers, Help Relieve Cabin Fever
Aza Comics 
Games and entertainment will go live at 12am March 17th, 2020 via this link: azacomics.shop/blogs/news/aza-comics-home-fight-coronavirus

Aza Comics is a superhero brand based in Durham, North Carolina founded by serial entrepreneur and author Jazmin Truesdale. 

The company is known for its multicultural female superheroes and philanthropic initiatives that have been featured in Vogue, TIME, USA Today, and various other national and international publications.

SOURCE: Aza Comics

16 March 2020

Wizard Startup "The Cauldron" Goes Into Investment Stealth Mode

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Wizard Startup "The Cauldron" Goes Into Investment Stealth Mode
"The Cauldron" - London (image via thecauldron.io)
The startup technology company whose mission it is to "bring fantasy to life with science, technology, and design" has entered into Investment Stealth Mode for its community of fantasy fans.

The company, which became known around the world for its immersive Potions Experience that blends IoT magic wands with molecular cocktails, has welcomed over 300,000 guests in London, New York City, Edinburgh, and Dublin.


Wizard Startup "The Cauldron" Goes Into Investment Stealth Mode
"The Cauldron" - New York City (image via thecauldron.io)
Details of the investment round have not yet been released, but the company is aiming to turn its customers into owners, and offer exclusive rewards and benefits alongside shareholder status. The Cauldron has simply put up a registration page for interested parties to be included in its Private Investment Mode. (Date TBA.)
The Cauldron has also recently announced its newest concept in London -- Superheroes Bar, a superheroes pop-up experience that brings customers into the world of heroes, villains, and the comic book multiverse in an immersive cocktail class.

About The Cauldron Entertainment Group:

The Cauldron venues are located in London, New York, Dublin and Edinburgh and provide a wizard-themed immersive cocktail-making experience where guests brew magical potions by using interactive magic wands and molecular mixology. 

It is a magical, immersive experience which celebrates concepts from fantasy novels and magical lore, all brought to life by science, technology and design.

Wizard Startup "The Cauldron" Goes Into Investment Stealth Mode
"The Cauldron" (image via thecauldron.io)

About The Magic of Things:

The Magic of Things is the imagineering studio that produces The Cauldron Magical Experience and other immersive concepts that bring fantasy to life with science, technology, and design. 

The studio is a mix of hardware and software engineers, prop and set designers, and experts in hospitality that are creating the next concepts in food and beverage that blend technology with the guest experience. 

The studio is led by co- founders Matthew Cortland and David Duckworth.

Wizard Startup "The Cauldron" Goes Into Investment Stealth Mode
The Magic of Things - banner (image via thecauldron.io)

More About Superheroes Bar:

'Superheroes Bar’, a new interactive cocktail experience located in East London, is due to open as a limited pop-up on March 26th for only three months.

This new creation is brought to you by the makers of The Cauldron, the well-known wizard-inspired cocktail experience. Ordinary mortals will be taken on an immersive comic book-inspired experience through the superhero multiverse, where they will discover and unleash their new found abilities to create super-charged drinks as they train to become the World’s #1 Hero.

Once guests enter the hidden lair in Dalston, they will be suited with a mask and cape, and free to set out on their journey through the bar’s comic-inspired world, collecting elemental ‘Stones of Power’ that are used in the drink-making process. Before allowing their powers to be unleashed, guests must first learn how to wield the ‘Beer Stone’, ‘Cocktail Stone’ or ‘Mocktail Stone’ to pour a welcome drink. 

Wizard Startup "The Cauldron" Goes Into Investment Stealth Mode
'Superheroes Bar’ - Glove of Power
Once the stone of their choice has been mastered, superheroes in training are led to their own interactive workstation, where, in a ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ style experience, the decisions that guests make will impact which powers they develop. Each new adventure draws inspiration from a different comic book style; Noir, Anime, Golden Age and Silver Age.

Superheroes will test out these new powers by concocting three interactive cocktails, which are inspired by comic book tropes and molecular mixology. 

Wizard Startup "The Cauldron" Goes Into Investment Stealth Mode
'Superheroes Bar’
The Cauldron’s co-founders Matthew Cortland and David Duckworth designed ‘Superheroes Bar’ to surprise, delight, and strike at the heart of the comic fandom in London. While Duckworth leads cocktail creation and experimentation, Cortland brings his fascination and knowledge of science and technology, to create a one-of- a-kind interactive experience. 
Duckworth comments; “The menu at Superheroes Bar is the product of a team of expert mixologists and comic book geeks coming together to create an experience that will excite and astound fans of graphic novels and superheroes.” 
Cortland adds; “Just as we have created an immersive magical experience at The Cauldron, our in-house ideation studio, The Magic of Things, has brought the history of the comic book multiverse to life through interactive technology and science. As a result, there will be plenty of plot-twists for guests to enjoy."
  • The entire Superheroes experience can be non-alcoholic, gluten-free, and vegan friendly. All drinks are made to be multi-sensory, interactive and feature different effects, such as fire, UV, smoke and expansion.

  • Tickets for ‘Superheroes Bar’ can be purchased at www.superheroes.bar, and are available on a first come first serve basis. Tickets start at £29.99 and include all the materials and supplies, three cocktails and the immersive experience which lasts around 1hr 45min.
  • Disclaimer: Superheroes Bar is not associated or affiliated with any comic book, movie, entertainment franchise or any specific comic book or cinematic hero, villain, or character. This experience looks at classic comic book tropes and themes, and creates its own world of heroes, villains, and ordinary (but no less important) people. 
SOURCE: The Cauldron

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1 January 2020

eBay Unveils the Most Interesting and Expensive Purchases of 2019

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2015 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster, 2019 Lamborghini Urus "Bianco Icarus,” 2005 Ford Ford GT, 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, and a 2019 Lamborghini Huracan are among the most expensive 2019 eBay Motors purchases.
2015 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster, 2019 Lamborghini Urus "Bianco Icarus,” 2005 Ford Ford GT, 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, and a 2019 Lamborghini Huracan are among the most expensive 2019 eBay Motors purchases.
Today, eBay has released its annual 'Most Interesting and Expensive Purchases' of the year list, taking a look back at some of the most notable purchases of 2019. This year high-end shoppers scooped up everything from rare sports memorabilia, supercars, luxury timepieces, to experiences for good, regardless of the price tag. 
In 2019 alone, some of the most expensive items sold on eBay fetched more than $4 million.
These high ticket items varied from over $7,000 to $4.5 million. And, the biggest sales came from multiple categories, including investment caliber cards, luxury vehicles, fine watches and more! Record high sales included a Tom Brady 2000 Autographed Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket Trading Card, which sold over $400,000 (signed by the six-time Super Bowl winner set the record for highest-sum ever paid for a football card) and a Michael Jordan 1997 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Card that sold over $350,000 (one of 10 ever made and the highest priced basketball card ever sold on eBay).

eBay also pulled the most expensive purchases on eBay for Charity in 2019, which included lunch with Warren Buffett, an overnight stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite at Magic Kingdom Park, benefiting organizations like The V Foundation for Cancer Research and Homes For Our Troops.

Check out a breakdown of 2019's most expensive purchases on eBay across gaming, sports, fashion, cars and more:

Top 20 Overall Most Expensive eBay Purchases in 2019

  • 20th Annual Power Lunch with Warren Buffett to Benefit GLIDE: $4,567,888
  • Tom Brady 2000 Autographed Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket Trading Card: $400,100
  • Michael Jordan 1997 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Card: $350,100
  • 2015 Lamborghini Aventador Roadster: $349,800
  • 2014 Newmar King Aire Motorhome: $280,000
  • 2019 Lamborghini Urus "Bianco Icarus": $245,995
  • 1986 Piper Malibu: $225,000
  • 2005 Ford Ford GT: $220,000
  • 2019 Lamborghini Huracan LP580-2: $209,900
  • 2012 Lamborghini Aventador 2dr Coupe: $200,000
  • 2019 Porsche 911: $199,000
  • 2009 Lamborghini Murcielago: $190,000
  • 2013 Ferrari 458 Italia: $185,000
  • 2014 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder: $174,995
  • 2013 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead: $172,100
  • 2017 Aston Martin Vanquish Coupe: $169,700
  • Magic The Gathering MTG Black Lotus Card: $166,100
  • Patek Philippe Grand Complications Calendar Manual Gold Men's Watch, 5270G-014: $139,500
  • Patek Philippe Grand Complications Perpetual Calendar Chrono Watch, 5270G-018: $125,000
  • Rolex New 18 Kt Rose Gold Masterpiece Pave Diamond Bracelet, 86285, Sant Blanc: $100,001
 GLIDE’s 20th annual eBay for Charity Power Lunch with Warren Buffett sold for a record-breaking $4,567,888 on May 31, 2019, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the legendary auction.
GLIDE’s 20th annual eBay for Charity Power Lunch with Warren Buffett sold for a record-breaking $4,567,888 on May 31, 2019, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the legendary auction.

Top 10 Most Expensive eBay for Charity Purchases in 2019

  • 20th Annual Power Lunch with Warren Buffett to Benefit GLIDE: $4,567,888
  • Miranda Lambert Closet Clear Out + Meet & Greet: $103,850.29
  • Stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite at Magic Kingdom Park: $75,600
  • Custom "Moon Landing" Under Armour Curry 6 Shoes Worn & Signed by Stephen Curry: $58,100.00
  • UFC Ultimate Fan Experience + Private Meet & Greet with Dana White: $52,137
  • Pitch Lunch with Dallas Mavericks' Owner Mark Cuban: $43,108
  • Creation Storm, 2017 Art Piece by April Gornik: $39,100
  • Attend the Premiere of Star Wars: The Rise of SkyWalker: $35,108
  • Alabama Football Experience with Coach Nick Saban: $35,100
  • Ultimate Le Batard Experience: $25,708

Most Expensive Cars Bought on eBay in 2019

  • 2015 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster: $349,800
  • 2019 Lamborghini Urus "Bianco Icarus": $245,995
  • 2005 Ford Ford GT: $220,000
  • 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class: $219,000
  • 2019 Lamborghini Huracan LP580-2: $209,900
Record-breaking sale of a rare Tom Brady rookie trading card for $400,100 sold in February 2019, the highest price for a football card sold at auction.
Record-breaking sale of a rare Tom Brady rookie trading card for $400,100 sold in February 2019, the highest price for a football card sold at auction.

Most Expensive Trading Cards Bought on eBay in 2019

  • Tom Brady 2000 Autographed Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket Trading Card: $400,100
  • Michael Jordan 1997 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Card: $350,100
  • Magic The Gathering MTG Black Lotus Card: $166,100
  • Magic The Gathering MTG 1993 Alpha Black Lotus Card: $39,900.68
  • Magic The Gathering MTG 1993 Alpha Birds Of Paradise Card: $37,877

Most Expensive Entertainment Memorabilia Bought on eBay in 2019

  • 1964 Rolling Stones First Tour Concert Poster with Ticket Sub, Rare: $25,100
  • World of Warcraft 15th Anniversary Signed Art Print: $20,000
  • Rock-ola Beatles Yellow Submarine Juke Box, Original, New In Box: $18,500
  • Life Size Star Wars R2D2 Remote Control Aluminum Full Size Prop: $17,500
  • 1940s-1950s Hollywood Autograph Collection featuring James Dean, Marilyn Monroe and John Wayne: $15,100
  • Stan Lee Signed Infinity Gauntlet: $15,000

Top Luxury Watches Bought on eBay in 2019

  • Patek Philippe Grand Complications Calendar Manual Gold Men's Watch, 5270G-014: $139,500
  • Patek Philippe Grand Complications Perpetual Calendar Chrono Watch, 5270G-018: $125,000
  • Rolex 18 Kt Rose Gold Masterpiece Pave Diamond Bracelet: $100,001
  • Richard Mille Automatic Chronograph in Rose Gold/ Titanium Watch : $96,900
  • Rolex Daytona White Gold Auto 40mm Diamond Strap Deployant Watch: $89,950

Top Jewelry Bought on eBay in 2019

  • 5.01 Yellow Diamond in Gold ring + 1ct Side Stones: $65,950
  • 7.31 Ct Light Yellow Princess Cut Diamond in Platinum 18K: $55,000
  • Tiffany & Co 2.52 Ct Lucida Diamond Engagement Ring: $41,500
  • 8.84 Ct Natural Sapphire Diamond Ring: $40,000
  • Roberto Coin Cento 2.008 Ct Round Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring: $36,000

Top Handbags Bought on eBay in 2019

  • Hermes Birkin 30 Malachite Togo Green Handbag: $9,850
  • Hermes Birkin 30 Black Clemence Leather Palladium Hardware Handbag: $9,500
  • Hermes Birkin Palladium Hardware Handbag with Key and Lock: $9,500
  • Hermes Birkin 30CM Black Gold Tone Togo Handbag: $9,000
  • Hermes Constance Handbag Evercolor 24: $8,924

Top Sneakers Bought on eBay in 2019

  • Nike Zoom Vapor Roger Federer Tennis Shoes: $10,000
  • Nike Air Mag 2016 Back to the Future, Marty McFly, Self Lacing: $9,000
  • Nike Sb Dunk Low "Freddy Kreuger": $8,000
  • 1985 Original OG Nike Air Jordan 1 Chicago, White, Black Red Bred 4280: $7,500

Top Vinyl Bought on eBay in 2019

  • Northern Soul Del Larks Queen City 1967: $13,101
  • Mozart's Piano Sonatas by Vlado Perlemuter: $13,000
  • Beethoven's Violin Concerto by Leonid Kogan: $9,400
  • George Szell Beethoven No 9: $7,760
  • Bob Dylan Freewheelin' with 4 Different Tracks: $7,500

Top Comic Books Bought on eBay in 2019

  • 1962 Marvel Amazing Fantasy #15, CGC 5.0, Spider Man's Origin/First Appearance, Huge Key Issue: $32,000
  • Fantastic Four #1: $30,000
  • Amazing Fantasy #15, Origin/First Appearance of Spider Man: $29,999
  • Incredible Hulk #1, Hulk's Origin/First Appearance: $29,500
  • Amazing Fantasy #15, Spider Man's Origin/First Appearance: $26,422

Top Action Figures Sold in 2019

  • 1977 Star Wars Action Figures: $12,600
  • Ideal Super Queens Batgirl Original 1967 Action Figure: $6,000
  • Complete Set of Original Star Wars Kenner Action Figures from 1976 to 1985: $5,600
  • Lord of the Rings Action Figures: $4,875
  • Captain Action Super Queen 1967 Ideal Wonder Woman: $4,200

Top Video Games Sold in 2019

  • NES Stadium Events NTSC Nintendo Game: $15,499
  • NES Nintendo Kid Icarus VGA 85+, Gold: $14,000
  • Super Mario World Nintendo Black Label SNES: $13,500
  • Nintendo World Championships 1990 NWC Cartridge #273: $13,500
  • Mike Tyson's Punch-Out Original NES 1989 White Label: $12,211
Top eBay for Charity sales in 2019 also included an overnight stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite at Magic Kingdom® Park, custom "Moon Landing" Under Armour Curry 6 Shoes Worn & Signed by Stephen Curry, UFC Ultimate Fan Experience + Private Meet & Greet with Dana White. Campaigns have benefited organizations like The V Foundation for Cancer Research and Homes For Our Troops.
Top eBay for Charity sales in 2019 also included an overnight stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite at Magic Kingdom® Park, custom "Moon Landing" Under Armour Curry 6 Shoes Worn & Signed by Stephen Curry, UFC Ultimate Fan Experience + Private Meet & Greet with Dana White. Campaigns have benefited organizations like The V Foundation for Cancer Research and Homes For Our Troops.
SOURCE: eBay Inc.

23 December 2019

How A Canadian Superhero Brought Queer Representation To Marvel Comics

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Northstar’s marriage was prominently displayed on the cover of ‘Astonishing X-Men #51.’
Northstar’s marriage was prominently displayed on the cover of ‘Astonishing X-Men #51.’ (Marvel)
 Marvel Comics is frequently referred to as “the house of ideas,” yet the idea of a queer superhero did not fully arrive at Marvel until the 1990s. Despite Marvel’s reputation as a campus phenomenon and as a hotbed for liberal — even subversive — discourse, Stan Lee’s comics publishing juggernaut would not feature a canonically gay character until some 30 years after the debut of The Fantastic Four. 

There’s a reason for that.

The 1954 Comics Code Authority — a censorship bureau that policed comics content — explicitly banned “sex perversion or any inference to same,” which comics scholar Hilary Chute notes is “a clear reference to homosexuality.” The Marvel Universe as we know it began in 1961, with the launch of Fantastic Four #1. Thus, Marvel Comics was, from the outset, actually prohibited from depicting gay characters.

So how do you a write a queer character at a time when comics are expressly forbidden from featuring queer characters?

In a word: delicately.

The slow coming out

It wasn’t until 1992 — three years after a major revision to the Comics Code officially opened the door to depictions of LGBTQ+ characters — that Marvel had their first openly gay superhero. In Alpha Flight #106 written by Scott Lobdel, the character Northstar (alias Olympic ski champion Jean-Paul Beaubier) declared: “I am gay.”

Even then this move was met with outrage by Marvel’s corporate leadership, Marvel Comics historian Sean Howe explained in his book Marvel Comics: The Untold Story.

Twenty years later, Northstar would also feature in Marvel’s first same-sex marriage, an event that was prominently depicted on the cover of Astonishing X-Men #51.

Astonishing X-Men #51. Written by Margaret Liu and illustrated by Dustin Weaver, published June 20, 2012
Astonishing X-Men #51. Written by Margaret Liu and illustrated by Dustin Weaver, published June 20, 2012. (Marvel)

A hotbed for queer subtext

Northstar had debuted way back in 1983 as part of the all-Canadian, government-sponsored superhero team, Alpha Flight. The team first appeared in the pages of X-Men, brought to life by Canadian artist and writer John Byrne and iconic X-Men writer Chris Claremont.

At the time, X-Men comics were already a hotbed for queer subtext. Comics scholar Ramzi Fawaz notes that Claremont’s X-Menarticulated mutation to the radical critiques of identity promulgated by the cultures of women’s and gay liberation.”

Another comics scholar, Scott Bukatman, puts it more simply and says: “mutant bodies are explicitly analogized to … gay bodies” in Claremont’s X-Men. It is no surprise then, that Marvel’s first gay superhero should emerge from this series.

Marvel’s first gay superhero emerged from the X-Men series.
Marvel’s first gay superhero emerged from the X-Men series. (Marvel)
There needs to be gays in comics because there are gays in real life. No other reason …. The population of the fictional world should represent the real world. That’s why I created Northstar — I felt the Marvel Universe needed a gay superhero (even if I would never be allowed to say it in so many words in the comics themselves), and I felt that I should create one, rather than retrofitting an existing character.”

Validation through storytelling

Northstar’s sexuality first surfaces in Alpha Flight #7 (1983) when he meets up with “an old friend” named Raymonde who is strongly hinted to be a former lover. In the story, written by Byrne, Raymonde comments on Northstar’s good looks. He also references the secretive nature of his relationship with Jean-Paul: “Then you have not really told your sister all about me, after all, Jean-Paul? I thought that would have been odd.”

From Alpha Flight #7
From Alpha Flight #7 (Marvel)
When Raymonde is later murdered, Northstar snaps with blind rage. The narrative caption tells us: “And Raymonde had led him out of that dark fear, into the bright clear light of self-acceptance.” 

In 1983, the narrative of a former lover being murdered and thus spurring the superhero to action and emotional eruption was already a comics clichĆ©. But staging that through a same-sex couple establishes a sort of subtextual validation of Northstar’s relationship as something more than the Comics Code Authority “sex perversion” label.

Two years later, in the 1985 limited series X-Men and Alpha Flight, Northstar’s sexuality is once again woven into a key story, this time written by Claremont. After having his consciousness briefly absorbed by the X-Man Rogue, Northstar becomes furious that she now knows his “secrets.”

In a misguided attempt to help Northstar, Rogue then asks him to dance at a very public reception. When Northstar’s own teammates make fun of the incongruity of Northstar dancing at a ball with a woman, Rogue thinks “None of y’all understand him the way ah do.”

In the face of this ridicule, a stoic Jean-Paul takes Rogue up on the dance. She remarks “You don’t have to,” to which he replies, “Yes, Rogue. I do.”

From X-Men and Alpha Flight #1
From X-Men and Alpha Flight #1 (Marvel)

Northstar

On the literal level, Northstar is being ridiculed for his general disinterest in heterosexual romance. But Claremont is crafting a story of a man who struggles with his closeted sexuality in the face of social pressures.

It’s a sympathetic portrayal of the character that helps to normalize the concept of a gay superhero, even if Marvel couldn’t identify him that way at the time.

Whether through delicate subtext or comics covering wedding events, Northstar holds a uniquely prominent and, at times, poignant position in the history of LGBTQ+ superheroes.

As we come to understand the importance of diverse representation within the superhero genre, this is a character that needs to be known, discussed and hopefully appreciated.

About Today's Contributor:

J. Andrew Deman, Professor, University of Waterloo

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. 


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