October Comics Bestsellers

Jeff Kinney’s Wimpy Kid: Last Straw is king; Robert Kirkman’s Walking Dead: What We Become just won’t die; and Bill Willingham follows with Fables: The Dark Ages. Bleach vol 28 and Naruto vol. 45 are next while Patricia Briggs's Mercy Thompson: Homecoming, Kazu Kibuishi’s Amulet Book 2 and Brian Azzarello’s Filthy Rich round out the list.

HCI Author Gets Own Imprint

HCI is giving one of its authors his own imprint. FG Publishing, Inc., will be headed by author, entrepreneur, speaker and philanthropist Farrah Gray. HCI published Gray’s book Reallionaire: Nine Steps to Becoming Rich from the Inside Out in 2005, in which Gray explained how he became a millionaire at age 14 and went on to launch businesses and foundations and publish several books.

Comics Briefly

MoCCA Art Fest Moved to Spring; New Brooklyn Comics and Graphics Fest ; Boom Studios Signs With Haven; Viz Accepting Submissions; Powers Returns with New Series; Marvel.Com Exclusive Animation Extras; Archie Comics Creator at Big Apple Comic Con; Bendis Interview on Fresh Ink; Media Meltdown Free Digital Comic from Orca; This Week @ The Beat; and This Week @ Good Comics For Kids

Sampling Food, Books and the Schnitzelwich in California and Oregon

Last week I visited the West Coast, spending time in San Francisco, Napa Valley and Portland, Ore., and while I knew all three places deserved a place on any foodie’s map, I wasn’t prepared for the breadth of offerings. Food carts, coffee stands and bakeries deserve just as many accolades as Thomas Keller’s temples of cuisine. Cookbook fans and armchair travelers, take note.

Barron's Revamps Bestselling Culinary Reference

It’s still early to predict which food books will be most popular this holiday season, but The Deluxe Food Lover’s Companion could be in the running. It is the fifth edition of a popular culinary reference book that was first released 19 years ago and has sold more than a million copies since then. And at $29.99, it’s a rare example of the “deluxe” book also being the wallet-friendly book.

Short Order: October 12

It's party time! Louisa Edwards celebrated the release of her debut novel, Can't Stand the Heat (St. Martin's) at New York's Blue Hill restaurant; Lara Starr feted her new cookbook, The Frugal Foodie Cookbook (Viva Editions) in San Rafael, Calif.; and pastry chef Karen DeMasco (pictured) got happy about her new tome, The Craft of Baking (Clarkson Potter) at Locanda Verde in Manhattan. Also, news on Gourmet.

Panel Mania: Luke Cage Noir

Luke Cage Noir, set in Prohibition-era Harlem, follows Luke Cage as he attempts to put his life back together after 10 years in Riker's Island, even while he is hindered by powerful forces. The pages in this excerpt are from Luke Cage Noir Issue #3, written by Mike Benson and Adam Glass, with art by Shawn Martinbrough; the cover is by Tim Bradstreet. The hardcover graphic novel is due out from Marvel in March 2010, and the fourth issue will be released on November 11.

Fiction Book Reviews: 10/12/2009

Reviewed this week, new fiction from Sue Grafton, J.M. Coetzee, Ken Bruen, Anna Maxted and Richard Bausch. Plus, Norberto Fuentes channels Castro, Thomas E. Kennedy gets a long-overdue U.S. launch, Maaza Mengiste debuts with a striking novel of 1974 Ethiopia, and Matthew Reilly delivers another bang-up adventure.

Children's Book Reviews: 10/12/2009

This week's children's book reviews include new picture books from Kazuna Kohara, Emily Gravett, and Julianna, Isabella, and Craig Hatkoff; PW's review of the latest Diary of a Wimpy Kid book, Dog Days; new fiction from Josh Lieb, Robin Brande and Barry Lyga; as well as nonfiction, new picture books about the Obamas and a trio of small but thought-provoking gift books.

The Wimp Factor

In schoolyards, jocks may still rule. But in bookstores, the big boy on campus is a wimp. More specifically, he’s a middle-schooler named Greg Heffley, the star of Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. Next Monday, Amulet Books imprint is releasing four million copies of Dog Days, the fourth installment of the cartoon-illustrated novels—the largest first printing for any children’s book this year.

On the Road with M.T. Anderson

Author M.T. Anderson is on a national tour for his new book, Jasper Dash and the Flame-Pits of Delaware, the third title in his Pals in Peril series. His tour has taken him to California, to the Washington, D.C., area, and to the Midwest Booksellers Association show in St. Paul, among other stops. Anderson also made one especially appropriate visit, given the title of his book: to the first state in the union, Delaware. See our photo essay of his visit.

An ‘Evil’ Debut

Josh Lieb's first YA novel, I Am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President (Razorbill), hits the shelves this month. It's the darkly comic story of Oliver Watson, a hugely wealthy boy business whiz whose cover is that of a schlubby seventh-grade loser. Though the author is a rookie in the children's book arena, he's a seasoned pro in the world of comedy writing for television...

Kodansha Sets Up Shop To Publish Manga in U.S.

Kodansha, the largest publisher in Japan and an important licensor of manga to U.S. publishers, is setting up an office in New York City and plans to begin publishing and selling manga direct to the U.S. market beginning in October.

Golden Apple Comics Turns 30

There have been substantial changes at Golden Apple Comics, the legendary Hollywood comics store. Under the direction of Ryan Liebowitz, son of the store’s well-known founder, the flagship store has been moved and the 25-year old satellite store in Northridge has been sold.

Politics, Art and Activism in Oaxaca

Peter Kuper left the United States in 2006 for Oazaca, Mexico in search of peace and quiet. Instead, the award-winning cartoonist found a strike, a government crackdown and a political storm. His two-year residence produced Diario de Oaxaca, A Sketchbook of Two Years in Mexico.

Comics Briefly -- 10/6/09

Diamond to Distribute Tokyopop in U.K.: Harvey Awards Tickets On Sale; ALA Great Graphic Novels for Teens List Nominations; Viper Talent Contest Winner; Wizard Exec Starts GeekChicDaily Site; The Yes Men and Migdal Comic Book Release Party; This Week @ The Beat; and This Week @ Good Comics For Kids

Comics Reviews: 10/5/2009

Digital Comics: The Inevitable Frontier

Sometimes it's hard to recognize change when you're living in the midst of it. "The things they can do now!" my mom often exclaims when I show her my latest digital gadget. "You don't know how amazing it is because you're used to it." Maybe that's why when it comes to digital comics, my attitude is one of pragmatism and not Oh my god, it's going to change everything!

Panel Mania: Dolltopia

Dolls escape their factory built conformity in Dolltopia by Abby Denson. Kitty, a ballerina doll forced into domestic life with a jock doll, and Jim, an army doll who doesn't fit in with the the military lifestyle, flee to Dolltopia, a haven where dolls can be who thay want. Dolltopia is published by Green Candy Press.

Kodansha Sets Up to Publish Manga in U.S.

After years of speculation about its plans, Kodansha, the largest publisher in Japan and a prolific manga licensor to U.S. publishers, is establishing an office in New York City to publish and sell manga directly in the U.S. market beginning this month. The new line of manga will be called Kodansha Comics, which will be published under Kodansha USA Publishing and distributed by Random House.