The Eisner Awards are the ‘Oscars’ of comic books, and several familiar names have shown up on the 208 nominee list: Chiefly, the Clone Wars Adventures, edited by Jeremy Barlow, has been nominated for for Best Publication for Kids. Another familiar nominee is Red 5’s Atomic Robo with two, Best Limited Series and Best Coloring. Meanwhile, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 8 was nominated for for four awards, including Best New Series and Best Continuing Series. Joss Whedon and Brian K. Vaughan are both up for Best Writer.
The Harry Potter Lexicon goes to court
There’s so much going on with this that I’m just going to point you towards Cleolinda’s post on Fandom Wank.
If you don’t want to delve straight into the snark, check out the articles from the Associated Press, The New York Times, Bloomberg, and CNN.
New Invincible summary from Del Rey
Spotted at NJOE, a brand new Invincible summary in Del Rey’s Summer catalog (on page 75.) A bit spoilery if you can’t been reading the others, so highlight to read:
Luke Skywalker is stuck on the horns of a dilemma. He is convinced that Darth Caedus, the Sith Lord who began life as Luke’s own peace-loving nephew, Jacen Solo, must be destroyed-yet he worries that his vision is tainted by his own anger, pain, and desire for revenge. Jaina Solo, Jacen’s twin sister, has completed her training under the galaxy’s most fierce anti-Jedi warrior, and now it falls to her to fulfill her destiny as “Sword of the Jedi.” And so while the forces of the shattered Galactic Alliance struggle to end the civil war that has set planet against planet, Jaina-along with her parents, Han and Leia, fellow Jedi Knight Zekk, and old friend Jag-heads right into the lion’s den to confront the horrific tyrant who was once her twin brother….
There’s also some black and white cover art that looks like a rough sketch of the official cover. But the most interesting bit may be “Online promotions, including fan video contest, and series timeline and countdown at www.legacyoftheforce.com.” Looks like the site has been around a while, but there’s not much there yet but catalog links.
I’ve been hearing rumblings of a Denning book tour as well, and the catalog pegs New York, Philadelphia, Lexington, Cincinnati, Dayton, Indianapolis, Chicago, Milwaukee, Denver, and Salt Lake City for author visits. However, this does seem to be a slightly older catalog, so take nothing on pure faith. (The Essential Atlas, page 93, is shown with the June release date.)
Also in the catalog (page 72 and 73) are the Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull novelization and The Complete Making of Indiana Jones. Naomi Novik fans might also want to check out page 79 (Victory of Eagles is a hardcover?)
Potter, Potter, and more Potter
Amazon.com is hosting a writing contest in which the winner will get a trip to London and the chance to read a handwritten and illustrated copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard. Don’t delay. The deadline to enter is April 22.
Equus, featuring a naked Harry Potter (OK, Daniel Radcliffe), will begin previews on Broadway in New York on September 5. Opening night is September 25.
And, finally, German Potter fans will apparently be treated to a line of “Halbblut Prinz” yarn for socks and sweaters. If my German is right, it will be available in September and will sell for about 10 Euros a ball.
Who forgot the evil overlords?
Entertainment Weekly posted 20 villains they missed last time – prompted by reader letters – and this time the Galaxy Far Far Away’s most unapologetic baddie, Palpatine, gets his day in the sun.
Also making a belated showing: Christopher Lee as Saruman, Office Space’s Bill Lumbergh and, of course, Voldemort.
Jerry Siegel’s heirs reclaim Superman rights
A federal judge ruled Wednesday that they are entitled to a part of the copyright on the character that Siegel co-created. Time Warner, the parent company of D.C. Comics, may owe the heirs for use of the character since 1999. The ruling, if upheld, will no doubt complicate matters for a Superman Returns sequel and Justice League film.
Watch for fan analysis at comic blogs The Beat and Newsarama.
Red 5’s Afterburn to be a movie!
Congratulations are in order: Relativity Media has picked up film rights for Afterburn, comic by Paul Ens and Scott Chitwood. Toby Maguire will produce. Ens and Chitwood are the co-founders of Red 5 Comics and familiar names around Star Wars fandom.
Arthur C. Clarke dies
The author, whose best-known work is the classic 2001: A Space Odyssey, died last night in Sri Lanka.
Who wants to live forever?
You know you’ll recognize several faces in Entertainment Weekly’s salute to immortals.
Help needy libraries get books with Dewey
The Dewey Donation System is back for 2008. This year, they’re supporting The Rockhouse Foundation of Jamaica and Los Angeles’ Children’s Institute. There are prizes, but that’s not the point.