Category Archives: News Review

Africa

South Africa

Culture

GRAPHIC RADICALS: At the Cutting Edge of Comic Art, is an exhibition that will take place in Muizenberg, Cape Town, from the 3rd October. Link (English, WG)

Americas

Canada

Research

There is a call for papers for a collection entitled, The Canadian Alternative: Canadian Cartoonists, Comics, and Graphic Novels. Submissions are due by the 30th April 2015. Link (05/09/2014, English, WG)

United States

Business

Based on total comic book sales invoiced for August, DC’s Batman #34 ranked first according to Diamond News. Marvel Comics’ Amazing Spider-Man #5 and Original Sin #7 ranked second and third respectively. Link (English, MB)

Based on total graphic novel sales invoiced in August, Marvel’s Thanos Infinity Revelation and Deadpool vs. Carnage ranked first and third according to Diamond News. DC’s Fables Volume 20: Camelot ranked second. Link (English, MB)

Dynamite Digital announced that Bitcoin, the virtual currency, will now be an accepted form of payment, joining traditional forms of payment options. Link (17/09/2014, English, MB)

Jobs

The University of Chicago has posted a position for Assistant Professor in 20th & 21st Century Fiction and Narrative Theory, which mentions seeking scholars working on comics and video game studies. Candidates must submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae and dissertation abstract by the 3rd November. Link (12/09/2014, English, MB)

Research

The International Association for the Fantastic in the Arts is accepting proposals for their 26th annual conference being held in Orlando, Florida, between the 18th and 22nd March 2015. 400 word abstracts are due by the 31st October. Link (English, MB)

The Comics Arts Conference organisers have announced the submission deadlines for both Wondercon Anaheim (held between the 3rd and 5th April 2015), and San Diego Comic-Con conference (being held between the 9th and 12th July 2015). Proposals of between 100 and 200 words are due by the 1st December for Wondercon, and the 1st March 1 for San Diego. Link (English, MB)

The University of Florida has announced their 12th annual Conference on Comics and Graphic Novels with the theme of “Comics Read but Seldom Seen: Diversity and Representation in Comics and Related Media”. Proposals are due by the 1st January for the conference, which is being held in Gainesville, Florida between the 10th and 12th April. Link (02/09/2014, English, MB)

ImageTexT: Interdisciplinary Comics Studies is currently seeking manuscript reviewers with expertise in a variety of areas in comics studies. Link (13/09/2014, English, WG)

Cord A. Scott’s book, Comics and Conflict, has been published through US Naval Institute Press. Link (English, WG)

There is a call for papers for Marvel Feature Films edited by Robert Moses Peaslee, Matthew McEniry, and Robert G. Weiner. Abstracts are due by the 15th November. Link (17/09/2014, English, WG)

Asia

China

Education

There is a leaflet for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2015/2016. There are opportunities for funded places to study a PhD in comics in the Department of English at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Interested candidates are urged to contact Francisco Veloso (francisco.veloso@polyu.edu.hk). Link (English, WG)

Europe

Belgium

Research

Sfar So Far: Identity, History, Fantasy, and Mimesis in Joann Sfar’s Graphic Novels, by Fabrice Leroy, has recently been published through Leuven University Press. Link (English, WG)

France

Business

Astérix co-creator, Albert Uderzo, and his daughter Sylvie have ended their seven-year legal feud amicably, agreeing to drop their respective lawsuits. Link (26/09/2014, English, LTa)

French newspaper L’Humanité is preparing to relaunch its BD magazine Pif Gadget (1969-1993; 2004-2009) in the coming months. Link (12/09/2014, French, LTa)

Culture

Franco-German TV network ARTE has shown an adaptation of Frederik Peeters’ Pilules Bleues. Link (01/09/2014, French, LTa)

Research

There is a call for papers for the conference, Voyages, the theme for the Sixth International Graphic Novel and Comics Conference / Ninth International Bande Dessinée Society Conference. Abstracts are due by the 31st December for the conference which takes place in Paris between the 22nd and 27th June. Link (23/09/2014, English, WG)

Germany

Culture

Comicfestival Hamburg is taking place from the 2nd until the 5th October; guests include Amanda Vähämäki, Luke Pearson, and Mawil. Link (01/09/2014, German, MdlI)

An exhibition of the winners of this year’s Max-und-Moritz-Preis is shown in Wiedensahl from the 14th September 2014 until the 24th May 2015. Link (08/09/2014, German, MdlI)

The exhibition, “Streich auf Streich – 150 Jahre Jahre Max und Moritz. Deutschsprachige Comics von Wilhelm Busch bis heute”, is shown again in Oberhausen from the 14th September 2014 until the 18th January 2015. Link (08/09/2014, German, MdlI)

The award, “Comicbuchpreis 2015 der Berthold Leibinger Stiftung”, goes to Birgit Weyhe for her comic Madgermanes. Link (10/09/2014, German, MdlI)

Research

A workshop on “Empirical Approaches to Comics” took place in Berlin on the 20th September. Link (04/09/2014, English, MdlI)

A lecture series on holocaust representations, including two lectures on comics by Ralf Palandt (23rd October) and Ole Frahm (6th November), is going to take place in Bochum. Link (15/09/2014, German, MdlI)

Ireland

Culture

Various Irish comics creators were involved in panels at DICE 2014, which took place in Dublin on the 27th and 28th September. Link (06/09/2014, English, SC)

Portugal

Culture

The Casa da Baía in Setúbal is hosting an exhibition titled “Portos em Banda Desenhada” (Ports in Comics), dedicated to port activity and the maritime world. The exhibition can be visited until the 19th October and is open daily, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Link (25/09/2014, Portuguese, RR)

From the 25th October until the 10th November, the city of Amadora is hosting the 25º Festival Internacional de Banda Desenhada 2014 (25th International Festival of Comics). Link (19/09/2014, Portuguese, RR)

Spain

Business

Spaceman Books, a new publishing house specialising in comics associated to ECC, has been created. Link (05/09/2014, Spanish, EdRC)

Culture

The 4th edition of GRAF, the independent comics publishing festival, will take place in Madrid on the 14th and 15th November at Museo ABC (Madrid). Link (29/09/2014, Spanish, EdRC)

Issue 10 of DON, a free online magazine (available on App Store and Play Store), is integrally dedicated to comics and includes many interviews and selections of comics from international and Spanish authors. Link (09/09/2014, Spanish, EdRC)

The winners of the 14th edition of Dolmen’s Premios de la crítica (Critics’ prizes) have been announced. Link (15/09/2014, Spanish, EdRC)

The cultural magazine Jot Down has published “100 tebeos imprescincibles”, a guide to the 100 indispensable comics. Link (03/09/2014, Spanish, EdRC)

The exhibition Dibujar las meninas, which explores the creation of the graphic novel of the same name by Jabier Olivares y Santiago García, is being shown at Museo ABC (Madrid) from the 26th September until the 16th November. Link (26/09/2014, Spanish, EdRC)

Education

A new edition of the Master de novela gráfica (Master in graphic novels) has been announced. Enrollment is open  until the 14th December this year, and the course will start on the 14th January 2015. Link (04/09/2014, Spanish, EdRC)

Research

The book Breve historia del cómic, by Spanish comics specialist, Gerardo Vilches, has been published. Link (03/09/2014, Spanish, EdRC)

Switzerland

Culture

A comics exhibition titled “Bulles – in Blasen sprechen” is shown in Zurich from the 5th until the 19th October. Link (15/09/2014, German, MdlI)

Research

Peter Gautschi and Christian Gasser are going to give a lecture on violence and history in comics at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts on the 15th October. Link (20/09/2014, German, MdlI)

UK

Culture

Southeast Asian Comics, an exhibition curated by CT Lim, will be at the The Proud Archivist – Library, London, between the 24th October and 2nd November. Link (English, LCT)

Research

There is a call for papers for a Special Issue of the journal, South Asian Popular Culture, entitled “Graphic Novels and Visual Cultures in South Asia.” The editors welcome enquiries or proposals in the form of a 150-200 words abstract by the 14th November. Link (English, WG)

St. Mary’s University, London, is welcoming participants for workshops and a symposium focused on “Graphic Justices of the Future: Law and Jurisprudence in Futuristic Comics.” Link (16/09/2014, English, WG)

Oceania

Australia

Culture

At the 2014 Small Press Expo (SPX), Australian comics creator Simon Hanselmann was nominated for the Ignatz Award for Outstanding Story. He was also ‘married to comics’ in a ceremony conducted by Gary Groth. Link 1 (English, ALM), Link 2 (English, ALM)

Creators representing Australia (and New Zealand) at SPX 2014 also include Matt Emery (Pikitia Press), Frank Candiloro (FrankenComics), Nicholas (NikNik) McIvor, Matthew Hoddy and Caitlin Major (Space Pyrates), and Alexis Sugden (AnimatorLex). Link (English, ALM)

Pikitia Press, a news site about Australian and New Zealand comics, has recently expanded its content to include a monthly review column. The reviews will be written by Philip Bentley, a judge of the national comics art awards, the Ledgers. Comics and zines can be sent in for critical review. Link (English, ALM)

Registration has now opened for the Australian Cartoonists Association 30th Annual Stanley Awards. “The Stanleys” will be held on the 14th and 15th of November, at the Menzies Hotel in Sydney. Link (English, ALM)

Research

The Inkers and Thinkers Interdisciplinary Comics Symposium has released its Call for Papers for the 2015 conference. The theme is ‘The Alternative’, and as well as abstracts the organisers are seeking creative workshop proposals. The deadline for abstracts is the 15th October, and the deadline for workshop proposals is the 31st October. Link (English, ALM)

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News Editor: Will Grady (comicsforumnews@hotmail.co.uk)

Correspondents: Michele Brittany (MB, North America), Enrique del Rey Cabero (EdRC, Spain), Shelley Culbertson (SC, Ireland), William Grady (WG, UK), Martin de la Iglesia (MdlI, Germany & Switzerland), Amy Louise Maynard (ALM, Australia), Renatta Rafaella (RR, Portugal), Lise Tannahill (LTa, France), Lim Cheng Tju (LCT, UK).

Click here for News Review correspondent biographies.

Click here to see the News Review archive.

Suggestions for articles to be included in the News Review can be sent to Will Grady at the email address above.

Americas

 United States

Business

Rocket Raccoon #1 (Marvel) shot to the number one slot in Diamond Comic News Top 100 Comics in July. Batman #33 (DC) and Amazing Spider-Man #4 (Marvel) followed in the second and third spots respectively. Link (English, MB)

Diamond Comic News reported their Top 100 Graphic Novels for July, based on total unit sales of products invoiced. The top three spots went to Walking Dead Volume 21: All Out War Part 2 (Image), Avatar: The Last Airbender Volume 8: Rift Part 2 (Dark Horse), and Deadly Class Volume 1: Reagan Youth (Image). Link (English, MB)

The Summer 2014 Diamond Retail Best Practices Awards were held at the San Diego Comic Con on the 25th July. The link lists the categories, all those nominated, and the winning stores. Link (English, MB)

Research

The Popular Culture Association and American Culture Association has put a call for papers out for several areas including Comics and Comic Art. The conference will be held between the 1st and 5th April 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The deadline for abstracts is the 1st November 2014. Link (English, MB)

The Southwest Popular/American Culture Association has a call out for presentation proposals for the annual conference held in Albuquerque, New Mexico between the 11th and 14th February 2015. The proposal submission deadline is the 1st November 2014. Link (English, MB)

Whit Taylor reports for The Comics Journal on the conference, Comics & Medicine: From Private Lives to Public Health, which took place between the 26th and 28th June at the Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore. Link (01/08/2014, English, WG)

Sequart Organization has announced the release of New Life and New Civilizations: Exploring Star Trek Comics, edited by Joseph F. Berenato. Link (English, WG)

Asia

Japan

Culture

On the 13th September, Kyoto International Manga Museum will hold a talk show with manga artists Est Em and Aono Shunju, and manga magazine IKKI editor Egami Hideki (with Kyoto Seika University Faculty of Manga Dean Yoshimura Kazuma as a facilitator) on the topic “Can we still talk about ‘The Dawn’ of comics?” Link (Japanese, JBS)

On the 20th September, the symposium Kansai International Tourism Year 2014, “Let’s think about the impact of manga and anime on tourism” will take place at Kyoto International Manga Museum, with four experts from the field of manga research and production: Yoshimura Kazuma, Inoue Shinichiro, Kondo Hikaru, and Sakurai Takamasa (this event will be held in Japanese). Link (Japanese, JBS)

From the 6th September until the 23rd, Kita Kyushu Manga Museum is hosting the exhibition “Manga and Media cross-overs”, including not just manga, but animation and mixed media, as well as creative environments that include both professional and amateur creators. The Museum is closed on Wednesdays. The exhibition includes art by Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure artist Araki Hirohiko. Link (29/08/2014, Japanese, JBS)

The Museum of Kyoto is hosting the “Let’s go to space, brother!” Exhibition (until September the 23rd), featuring 200 pieces of original art by “Space Brothers (Uchu Kyodai)” manga artist Koyama Chuya, as well as material from the animated series and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Link (30/07/2014, English, JBS)

Director Miyazaki Hayao is to receive a Honorary Award from the Academy of Motion Pictures Art. Link (29/08/2014, English, JBS)

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of Doraemon creator, Fujiko F. Fujio, Osaka Gran Front is hosting the Fujiko F. Fujio Exhibition (until the 5th October). Link (Japanese, JBS)

Research

The Copyright Subcommittee of the JSSCC (Japanese Society for Studies in Cartoons and Comics) will hold its 1st lecture meeting on the 10th September (at Japan Patent Attorneys Association Hall, B1 conference room A). Komori Ikuya will hold a lecture on the revision history of Japanese copyright law in 2014; this event will be held in Japanese. Link (Japanese, JBS)

The Philippines

Research

There is a call for papers for the 15th Annual International Conference on Japanese Studies &
the 6th Women’s Manga Conference: A Joint International Conference. The conference theme is, Manga and the Manga-esque: New Perspectives to a Global Culture, and will take place between the 22nd and 25th January 2015 at Ateneo de Manila University. Link (27/06/2014, English, WG)

Europe

Denmark

Culture

The next Copenhagen Comics festival will take place between the 6th and 7th June 2015. The special theme of the 2015 festival is Children and Youth. A general meeting will be held on 3rd September, where opportunities to participate in the festival as a volunteer will be presented. Register as a volunteer or learn more about volunteering at Copenhagen Comics 2015 via the link provided. There is also information and an opportunity to register for the general meeting on their Facebook page. Link 1 (Danish, KBF), Link 2 (English, KBF)

France

Culture

Manu Larcenet’s bande dessinée series Le Combat Ordinaire (2003-2008) is being adapted for cinema. The film will be directed by Laurent Tuel (Inside Ring, Tour de Force). Link 1 (29/08/2014, French, LTa), Link 2 (24/07/2014, English, LTa)

Research

There is a call for contributors for, Pratiques de la bande dessinée au féminin: Expériences, formes, discours, a volume focusing on post-2000 francophone bande dessinée created by women. The deadline for abstracts of 300 words is the 31st October. Link (French, LTa)

Germany

Culture

An exhibition on the educational comic Tagebuch 14/18 took place at Bilderbuchmuseum Troisdorf from the 3rd August to the 3rd September. Link (04/08/2014, German, MdlI)

Cöln Comic Haus announces two events in Cologne: a 24 hour comic day on the 4th October, and a comic fair on the 8th November. Link (11/08/2014, German, MdlI)

Germany’s first manga café opened in Düsseldorf. Link (20/08/2014, German, MdlI)

The exhibition “Holocaust im Comic” opens again in Bochum on the 23rd October. Link (25/08/2014, German, MdlI)

The fourth “Graphic Novel Day” is going to take place as part of “14. internationales literaturfestival berlin” on the 14th September; guests include Reinhard Kleist. Link (28/08/2014, German, MdlI)

Research

The latest issue of the magazine Aus Politik und Zeitgeschichte focuses on comics; contributors include several comics scholars. Link (German, MdlI)

The programme of the conference “Übersetzungen und Adaptionen von Comics / The Translation and Adaptation of Comics” in Hildesheim from the 31st October to the 2nd November is now online. Link (German and English, MdlI)

Greece

Culture

In connection with Comicdom Press, a comic book library has opened in Athens, Greece. Link (Greek, WG)

Norway

Culture

The Raptus 2014 festival takes place between the 19th and 21st September in Bergen. The festival homepage, including a list of guest artists, can be accessed via the link. Further information is available on the Rasmus 2014 Facebook page. Link 1 (Norwegian, KBF), Link 2 (Norwegian, KBF)

Portugal

Culture

Some of the walls, buildings, and prominent spaces in the city of Amadora are being painted with posters from the previous editions of its international annual comics festival, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Link (09/08/2014, Portuguese, RR)

Spain

Culture

The exhibition “Mar interior”, which displays an anthology of the work of Miguelanxo Prado (a prominent Spanish author), is being shown at the Museo des Peregrinacións (Santiago de Compostela), from the 1st August until the 31st December. Link (01/08/2014, Spanish, EdRC)

The exhibition “El TBO: un comic para tiempos difíciles”, which covers the history of Spain’s longest and most iconic comics magazine is being shown at Segorbe (Comunidad Valenciana), from the 25th July until the 7th September. Link (25/07/2014, Spanish, EdRC)

The first edition of Ñam, a new international comics and graphic novels festival, will take place in Palencia from the 30th September to the 5th October. The festival will host national and international personalities such as Scott McCloud, Matt Madden, Chloé Cruchaudet, David Aja, David Rubín and Alfonso Zapico. The program includes many workshops and conferences. Link (Spanish, EdRC)

The 17th edition of the festival, Viñetas do Atlántico, was celebrated in La Coruña between the 4th and 10th August, with the presence of, among others, Zidrou, Marcos Martín and Charlie Adlard. Link (04/08/2014, Spanish, EdRC)

Research

The book, Narraciones gráficas. Del códice medieval al comic, by Roberto Bartual has been published thanks to a crowdfunding project. The book focuses upon the history and pre-history of comics and graphic narration. Link (Spanish, EdRC)

The book was also presented on the 29th of July in café Molar, Madrid. Link (27/07/2014, Spanish, EdRC)

Sweden

Culture

The dates for the AltCom 2014 festival have been announced. The festival, which features the Apocalypse as its theme, will take place in Malmö, between the 4th and 9th November. Information in both Swedish and English can be found on the festival’s home page. Link (Swedish, KBF)

Research

The Scandinavian Journal of Comic Art is planning a special issue on Nordic history and cultural memory in comics, and invites articles about these and related matters. The deadline for abstracts is 1st October 2014; full articles are due on 1st January 2015. Link (English, KBF)

UK

Culture

The Dundee Literary Festival has released details of this years Dundee Comics Day, which takes place on the 26th October. Link (29/08/2014, English, WG)

DeeCAP: Autobiographical Comics Special will take place at the University of Dundee on the 15th September. The event sees artists and writers bring their strips to life with live interaction alongside a visual slideshow. Link (English, WG)

Education

The Scottish Book Trust, in partnership with the University of Dundee and Literary Dundee, have announced the launch of the Comics Lab 2014. This short course will offer sessions on creating comics, advice on developing your work, and pitching to publishers. The application deadline is the 12th September, and runs on the 25th and 26th October. Link (English, WG)

Research

There is a call for contributions to a special themed issue of the journal, New Readings, focused upon Comics and Translation. Submissions should be sent before the 10th November. Link (English, WG)

Graphic Details: Jewish Women’s Confessional Comics in Essays and Interviews, edited by Sarah Lightman, has recently been published through McFarland. Link (English, WG)

Paul Williams at the University of Exeter has been awarded funding for the project, “Reframing the Graphic Novel: Long-Form Adult Comic Narratives in North America and the UK 1973-82”. Further information on the project can be found through the link. Link (07/08/2014, English, WG)

Oceania

Australia

Research

There is a call for papers for Inkers and Thinkers Interdisciplinary Symposium 2015: Alternative Forms, Alternative Voices. Abstracts are due by the 15th October for the event which takes place on the 15th and 16th May 2015. Link (19/08/2014, English, WG)

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News Editor: Will Grady (comicsforumnews@hotmail.co.uk)

Correspondents: Jessica Bauwens-Sugimoto (JBS, Japan), Michele Brittany (MB, North America), Enrique del Rey Cabero (EdRC, Spain), Kristy Beers Fägersten (KBF, Denmark, Norway, Sweden), William Grady (WG, UK), Martin de la Iglesia (MdlI, Germany), Renatta Rafaella (RR, Portugal), Lise Tannahill (LTa, France).

Click here for News Review correspondent biographies.

Click here to see the News Review archive.

Suggestions for articles to be included in the News Review can be sent to Will Grady at the email address above.

Americas

Canada

Education

There is a funded Postdoctoral Fellowship in Comics Studies under the supervision of Dr. Bart Beaty available at the University of Calgary. The deadline for applications is the 1st September. Link (07/07/2014, English, WG)

Research

There is a call for papers for a panel entitled, Comedy and Comics: Parody, Satire, and Humor in Superhero Narratives, which will be held at The Northeast Modern Language Association’s 46th annual conference, in Toronto in 2015. 300 word abstracts are due by the 30th September. Link (14/07/2014, English, WG)

United States

Business

 Diamond Comic Distributors tabulated the total unit sales of comics invoiced in June and Scott Synder and Greg Capullo’s Batman #32 (DC Comics) from the “Zero Year” series was the top seller for the month. Marvel’s Amazing Spider-Man #3 and Original Sin #3 took second and third spots respectively. Link (English, MB)

The top graphic novels for June included Afterlife with Archie: Escape From Riverdale Vol 1, Marvel’s Night of the Living Deadpool, and Ed Brubaker’s period spy thriller Velvet: Before the Living End (Image). Interestingly, all three volumes of Saga (Image) were also in the top 10. Link (English, MB)

Diamond Comic Distributors reported continued growth in the comic industry with total sales up 3.8% for mid-year sales statistics. Link (English, MB)

Culture

Sequart Organization has announced that the Fredric Wertham documentary, Diagram for Delinquents, is now available for download purchase and DVD preorder. Link (English, WG)

Gail Simone will be leaving Batgirl, and starting with issue #35, the series will be written by Cameron Stewart and Brenden Fletcher and illustrated by Babs Tarr. Batgirl will don a new suit that has already been praised for its practicality over sexual allure. Link (10/07/2014, English, MB)

The winners of the 2014 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards have been announced. Link (English, WG)

 Research

McFarland has recently published the collection, The Ages of the X-Men: Essays on the Children of the Atom in Changing Times, edited by Joseph J. Darowski. Link (English, WG)

Asia

China

Culture

The comics exhibition, A Parallel Tale: Taipei in 80s x Hong Kong in 90s, organised by the Hong Kong Arts Centre, which opened in Taipei last year, has traveled back to Hong Kong. It showcases five artists from Taiwan and five artists from Hong Kong. It is at the Comix Home Base until the end of August. Link (Chinese, LCT)

Indonesia

Law and Politics

The recent Indonesian presidential elections saw the use of election comics as part of the campaign. Link (Bahasa Indonesia, LCT)

Japan

Culture

Kyoto International Manga Museum is holding a Mini-Manga Artist Experience workshop every day of the summer vacation (from the 19th July until the 31st August), and every weekend and holiday until the 28th September. Link (English, JBS)

The 86th Comiket (Comic Market) will be held from the 15th to the 17th August at Tokyo Big Sight. The twice-a-year Comiket is the largest fan convention in Japan, and a must see for every comics scholar visiting Japan during this period. Link (English, JBS)

The JSSCC (Japan Society for Studies in Cartoons and Comics) Kansai area group is holding a lecture on Tezuka Osamu on the 10th August (preceded by a visit to the Tezuka Osamu exhibition at the same venue), at Shiga Prefectural Museum of Modern Art. Link (Japanese, JBS)

The “Era of Ashita no Joe” Exhibition is running until the 21st September at Tokyo’s Nerima Art Museum (there will be gallery talks by curators on the 23rd August, and on the 6th and 13th September). Link (26/07/2014, Japanese, JBS)

Research

Manga critic, Nagayama Kaoru, and manga scholar, Hori Akiko, will speak at the 50th Yonezawa Yoshihiro Memorial Library event, on the topic of “Increased and augmented erotic manga studies.” The event will be held in Japanese. Link (Japanese, JBS)

Malaysia

Law and Politics

Malaysia has banned a Malay translation of an Ultraman comic book for using the word Allah to describe the Japanese hero. Link (Bahasa Malaysia, LCT)

Singapore

Culture

The e-book of the Lianhe Zaobao (Singapore’s main Chinese newspaper) cartoon exhibition from last year is released online. Link (English/Chinese, LCT)

Law and Politics

Singapore has banned the sale of an Archie comic for depicting a gay wedding. Link (16/07/2014, English, LCT)

Europe

Belgium

Research

The French Comics Theory Reader, edited by Ann Miller and Bart Beaty, has now been published by Leuven University Press. Link (English, WG)

Germany

Culture

Germany is guest country at the 29th Helsinki Comics Festival; guests include Marijpol and Sascha Hommer. Link (10/07/2014, German, MdlI)

The Internationaler Graphic Novel-Salon is going to take place as part of Literaturfestival Hamburg on the 18th September. Link (17/07/2014, German, MdlI)

Education

A conference on comics in the classroom is going to take place on the 26th September in Berlin. Link (21/07/2014, German, MdlI)

Research

A panel on comics and law will take place as part of the annual conference of the German Society for Media Studies (Gesellschaft für Medienwissenschaft, GfM) in Marburg on the 4th October. Link (07/07/2014, German, MdlI

A conference on graphic novels took place in Braunschweig from the 2nd to the 4th July. Link (German, MdlI)

Bildlaute & laute Bilder, an essay collection on audiovisuality in graphic narratives, has been published by Bachmann. Link (14/07/2014, German, MdlI)

A call for papers for an edited volume entitled, The German Graphic Novel: Scholarship and Pedagogy, has been published. Link (22/07/2014, English, MdlI)

Portugal

Culture

The library, José Régio in Vila do Conde, is hosting the exhibition titled, “de um simples traço nasce um sonho” (From a single line arises a dream), by the Portuguese author Agonia Sampaio. The exhibition can be visited until the end of August. Link (28/07/2014, Portuguese, RR)

Until the 19th August, the Casa da Cultura in Sátão is hosting an exhibition about Tintin. Link (05/07/2014, Portuguese, RR)

On the 13th July, the comic book Angra do Heroísmo: Mui Nobre Leal e Sempre Constante Cidade (Angra do Heroísmo: Very noble, loyal and always constant city) was published. The book represents the history of the city of Angra do Heroísmo (Azores) and it is available in English, German and Portuguese. Link (17/07/2014, Portuguese, English, German, RR)

Scandinavia

Research

There is a call for papers for a special themed issue of the Scandinavian Journal of Comic Art – “From the Land of the Midnight Sun: Nordic History and Cultural Memory in Comics.” The deadline for abstracts is the 1st October. Link (English, WG)

Spain

Culture

Carlos de Gregorio and Andrés Pérez Fernández presented a roundtable about classic comics, El cómic clásico. De Popeye a Tintín, which was part of the cycle “Protagonistas de la cultura”. The event took place in El Corte Inglés, Callao, Madrid. Link (09/07/2014, Spanish, EdRC)

The exhibition, KNOCK! KNOCK!, displays some work by various comic artists, including Robert Crumb, Charles Burns and Chris Ware. It is being shown in the Galería Javier López from the 26th June until the 10th September. Link (14/07/2014, English, EdRC)

Ilustratour, one of the biggest illustration festivals in the world, was celebrated in Valladolid from the 30th June to the 11th July. The event offered many workshops and conferences dedicated to comics. Comics artists and editors, such as Max, Sonia Pulido, Miguel Gallardo and Sam Arthur, were present. Link (07/07/2014, English, EdRC)

Oxfam, together with a group of prominent Spanish comic artists, continues developing the project, Viñetas de Vida (Life Cartoons), which tries to portray the reality of international development through the language of comics. A previous artists was David Rubín in Burundi. Link (10/07/2014, Spanish, EdRC)

They have also released a free app for iOS and Android (Comic On Tour. Oxfam Intermón). The app includes self-updated comics which can be read in Spanish, Catalan, English and French (it currently includes three full comics about Guatemala, Colombia and Morocco). Link (04/07/2014, Spanish, EdRC)

Education

El cómic: lenguaje, historia y crítica (una aproximación didáctica al noveno arte y su relación con la literatura) (Comics: language, history and criticism (a didactic initiation to the ninth art and its relation to literature)), a university summer course, took place between the 14th and 17th July at  the Universidad de Alicante. Link (17/07/2014, Spanish, EdRC)

Switzerland

Culture

An exhibition on Western comics is shown at Cartoonmuseum Basel from the 4th July to the 2nd November. Link (03/07/2014, German, MdlI)

UK

Culture

The theme for the 2014 Dundee Comics Prize is Heroes and Villains. The competition requires the creation of a 4-8 page comic on the theme of Heroes and Villains, with the chance to win £250, plus publication of the story in Tales of the UniVerse #2. More details can be found through the link. Link (English, WG)

Education

A website for the Scottish Centre for Comics Studies, based at the University of Dundee, is now live. The website provides news, and information on staff, students, projects, and the courses that are available. Link (English, WG)

Research

There is a call for 500-1000 word contributions that explore the intersections between mental health and comics, graphic novels and sequential art, for a special themed edition of Asylum magazine. Link (English, WG)

The Tenth International IAWIS/AIERTI Conference and Twenty-First Annual Scottish Word and Image Group Conference takes place at the University of Dundee between the 11th and 15th August. The conference theme is exploration and discovery in word and image, with the event offering various papers on comics. Link (English, WG)

A second keynote speaker for Transitions 5 has been announced: Dr. Antonio Lázaro-Reboll (University of Kent) will be speaking on Spanish-language comics. Link (English, WG)

Forming out of Comics Forum’s special theme month on Comics and Cultural Work, edited by Casey Brienza; both Brienza and Paddy Johnston seek submissions for an edited collection entitled “Cultures of Comics Work.” The deadline for proposals is the 31st November. Link (English, WG)

There is a call for papers for a conference entitled, Comics and Adaptation in the European Context, which is to take place on the 10th April 2015 at the University of Leicester. The deadline for abstract proposals is the 17th November. Link (English, WG)

A call for participants for the Scottish Comics Unconference Meet-up 2015 has been published online. The event will take place on Saturday 28th February 2015 in Glasgow. Link (English, WG)

Julie Brown at the University of Leeds has put together a survey that aims to find out more about the work that comics creators do, their experiences forging a career in comics,  the challenges and opportunities they face, and what professional or other support systems they  have used and/or might need. Link (English, WG)

Oceania

Australia

Business

Melbourne comics retailers All Star Comics are a co-recipient of the Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award for 2014 (there was a tie between ASC and Legend Comics and Coffee in Nebraska). Co-owner of All Star Comics, Mitchell Davies, describes the experience of winning the prestigious award. Link (29/07/2014, English, ALM)

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News Editor: Will Grady (comicsforumnews@hotmail.co.uk)

Correspondents: Jessica Bauwens-Sugimoto (JBS, Japan), Michele Brittany (MB, North America), Enrique del Rey Cabero (EdRC, Spain), William Grady (WG, UK), Martin de la Iglesia (MdlI, Germany and Switzerland), Amy Louise Maynard (ALM, Australia), Renatta Rafaella (RR, Portugal), Lim Cheng Tju (LCT, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore).

Click here for News Review correspondent biographies.

Click here to see the News Review archive.

Suggestions for articles to be included in the News Review can be sent to Will Grady at the email address above.

Americas

United States

Business

Marvel takes the top spots for comics in the month of May. Based on total unit sales of products invoiced for the month, Original Sin #1, Amazing Spider-Man #2, and Amazing Spider-Man #1.1 ranked first, second and third respectively. Link (English, MB)

Diamond News reports on the top graphic novel titles for May, 2014. Based on total unit sales of products invoiced for the month, Batman Volume 4 Zero Year Secret City (DC), Batman Volume 3 Death of the Family (DC) and Black Science Volume 1 How to Fall Forever (Image) took the top three spots. Link (English, MB)

Culture

Diamond announced their exclusives for this year’s Comic-Con International: San Diego. Comics, figurines, toys, and statues will be available in very limited quantities. The exclusives will be at their booth, Diamond Previewsworld Booth #2401. Link (English, MB)

The lineup of free comics for the third annual Halloween ComicFest (HCF) has been announced to take place on the 25th October. Similar to the Free Comic Book Day event held each May, where local comic shops give away free comics and hold contests and special promotions, the free comics will be horror themed to celebrate the holiday. Link (English, MB)

Research

Sequart has recently released the book, When Manga Came to America: Super-Hero Revisionism in Mai, the Psychic Girl, by Julian Darius. Link (English, WG)

Sequart has recently released the book, The Anatomy of Zur-en-Arrh: Understanding Grant Morrison’s Batman, by Cody Walker. Link (English, WG)

International Journal of Comic Art Volume 16, Issue 1, has recently been published. Link (19/06/2014, English, WG)

Critical Inquiry Volume 40, Issue 3 has been published – a special issue focused on Comics & Media, and edited by Hillary Chute and Patrick Jagoda. Link (English, WG)

Stan Lee’s Comikaze is accepting programming proposals for the expo which takes place between the 31st October through to the 2nd November. The deadline for proposals is the 15th August. Link (English, MB)

New York Comic Con is now accepting panel submissions for the event to be held between 9th and 12th October. Submission forms are due no later than the 30th July. Link (English, MB)

Asia

Indonesia

Culture

The 5th April marked the first RA Kosasih Day. The pioneer Indonesian comic artist died two years ago at the age of 93. Link (Indonesian, LCT)

The inaugural Comic Art Festival Kuala Lumpur was held on the 7th and 8th June. Link (English, LCT)

Europe

Belgium

Business

Bande dessinée publisher Zephyr, specialist in military, aviation and railway comics, is to merge with Belgian company Dupuis. Link (12/06/2014, French, LTa)

France

Culture

The popular series Seuls, by Fabien Vehlmann and Bruno Gazzotti, is being adapted for the cinema. Casting is open and the film is scheduled for release in 2016. Link (17/06/2014, French, LTa)

Germany

Business

Stefan Piëch, head of television company Your Family Entertainment, has acquired the rights to the comic characters Fix & Foxi. Link (25/05/2014, German, MdlI)

Culture

A series of presentations and talks on webcomics took place at Comic-Salon Erlangen from the 19th-21st June. Link (02/06/2014, German, MdlI)

A musical adaptation of Die Abrafaxe is shown in Greifswald and other places from the 14th June. Link (German, MdlI)

An exhibition of comic author Ville Tietäväinen is shown in Berlin from the 15th May – 31st August. Link (05/06/2014, German, MdlI)

An exhibition of a youth debt prevention comics competition is shown in Munich from the 27th June – 12th September. An accompanying lecture is going to be given by Dietrich Grünewald on the 7th August. Link (09/06/2014, German, MdlI)

The winners of the Max-und-Moritz-Preis have been announced at Comic-Salon Erlangen. Link (21/06/2014, English, MdlI)

Education

Peter Lorenz and Matthias Harbeck are going to give a workshop on comics in libraries in Berlin on the 26th September. Link (23/06/2014, German, MdlI)

Research

The Arbeitsstelle für Graphische Literatur (ArGL) at Hamburg University is going to award its ‘Roland Faelske-Preis’ to the best theses in the fields of animation and comics from the last two years. The deadline for submissions was the 1st July. Link (German, MdlI)

Neil Cohn gave a workshop on Comics and Linguistics at the University of Freiburg on the 21st June. Link (16/06/2014, German, MdlI)

The German Society for Comics Studies (ComFor) has released the programme for its 9th annual conference in Berlin from the 25th – 27th September 2014. Link (19/06/2014, German, MdlI)

A workshop titled ‘Future Visions: Speculation and Anticipation in Graphic Narratives’ will take place in Bayreuth on the 11th July. Link (30/06/2014, German, MdlI)

Portugal

Culture

The Gallery El Pep in Lisbon is hosting an exhibition by the Portuguese comic author André Caetano. The exhibition can be visited until the 4th July. Link (18/06/2014, Portuguese, RR)

The Associação MAPA in Elvas is hosting an exhibition by the Portuguese comic author João Sequeira until the 14th July. Link (07/06/2014, Portuguese, RR)

Until the 21st July, the Espaço Inovinter in Moura is hosting an exhibition to commemorate the centennial of Jijé. Link (21/06/2014, Portuguese, RR)

Spain

Business

At least 14 artists have resigned so far from the humor and satirical comics’ magazine El Jueves. Publisher RBA destroyed 60,000 copies of the publication which had portrayed the abdication of king Juan Carlos I on its cover, and changed the cover. Link (06/06/2014, English, EdRC)

The magazine was already fined for “vilyfing the crown” and saw its edition pulled from newsstands in 2007. Link (13/11/2007, English, EdRC)

The artists who abandoned the magazine have released a new on-line comics magazine focused on the Spanish crown. Link (18/06/2014, Spanish, EdRC)

Culture

Óscar Nebreda, Santiago García, Toni Guiral, and Manel Fontdevila discussed the relationship of comics and football in the event, Letrak & Futbola (Letras & Fútbol), Encuentros de Literatura, Cómic, Periodismo y Fútbol, which took place on the 4th June. Link (Spanish/Basque, EdRC)

Ellas en la industria del cómic, a roundtable about women and the comics industry took place in the library, Eugenio Trías, Madrid. Link (08/06/2014, Spanish, EdRC)

The exhibition, Do comic a novela gráfica. A banda deseñada en España no século XXI (From comics to graphic novels. Comics in 21st century Spain), is being shown in the Museo de Pontevedra from the 20th June until the 20th July. Link (03/06/2014, Galician, EdRC)

UK

Culture

The Edinburgh International Book Festival, which takes place between the 9th and 25th August, have released a list of its comics related events. Link (English, WG)

Education

The department of Media and Communication at the University of Leicester is offering a PhD studentship for a project relating to Cross-Media Seriality – Production, Text, and Consumption. Link (English, WG)

Research

European Comic Art Volume 7, Issue 1, has recently been published. Link (English, WG)

There is a call for papers for the Scottish Heroes & Villains: The First Symposium, which will take place on the 11th October at the University of Dundee. The symposium is part of Scottish Heroes & Villains Month, which will include an original Comics Exhibition and Q&A (in collaboration with The Scottish Centre for Comics Studies). Link (English, WG)

 

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News Editor: Will Grady (comicsforumnews@hotmail.co.uk)

Correspondents: Michele Brittany (MB, North America), Enrique del Rey Cabero (EdRC, Spain), William Grady (WG, UK), Martin de la Iglesia (MdlI, Germany), Renatta Rafaella (RR, Portugal), Lise Tannahill (LTa, Belgium & France), Lim Cheng Tju (LCT, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines).

Click here for News Review correspondent biographies.

Click here to see the News Review archive.

Suggestions for articles to be included in the News Review can be sent to Will Grady at the email address above.

Americas

Canada

Culture

The Comics Beat have posted recordings of panels from the Toronto Comic Art Festival (9th-11th May), including several from the librarian and educator conference. Link (14/05/2014, English, WG)

United States

Business

Casting a web on the first and second spots for the Top 100 Comics of April 2014 is Marvel’s Amazing Spider-Man #1 and Superior Spider-Man #31. Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s Batman #30 (DC Comics) rounds out the third spot, as reported by Diamond Comic Distributors. Link (English, MB)

According to Diamond Comic News, Sex Criminals Volume 01, Saga Volume 03, and East of West Volume 02: We Are All One (all from Image Comics), took the top three spots for the Top 100 Graphic Novels for April 2014. Figures are based on total unit sales of products invoiced for the month. Link (English, MB)

Executive Producer Jonah Weilland of Comic Book Resources changes forum guidelines and deletes forum archives in response to the severe backlash Janelle Asselin received after critiquing the cover of DC Comics Teen Titans #1 recently. Link (01/05/2014, English, MB)

Jobs

Magnetic Press is looking to hire a short-term Marketing Assistant for a special project. The ideal candidate will have knowledge and access to Excel since the position works remotely. The assistant position is paid. Link (29/05/2014, English, MB)

Obituaries

Silver Age Marvel artist Dick Ayers passed away at the age of 90 on the 4th May. Ayers worked on Sgt. Fury, Ghost Rider, and Fantastic Four. He was inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 2007. Link (06/05/2014, English, MB)

Research

The Mid-Atlantic Popular and American Culture Association’s annual conference is being held in Baltimore, Maryland, between the 6th and 8th November. Organisers are accepting proposals relevant to GLBTQ studies in popular culture, including a focus upon comics and graphic novels. The deadline for proposals is the 14th June. Link (09/05/2014, English, MB)

Joseph J. Darowski has a call for abstracts for an upcoming collection entitled, The Ages of the Incredible Hulk: Essays on Marvel’s Jade Giant in Changing Times. It will be a companion volume to The Ages of Superman, The Ages of Wonder Woman, amongst others, from publisher McFarland & Company. A CV should accompany abstracts of 100 to 500 words, which must be submitted by the 15h July. Link (22/05/2014, English, MB)

Children’s Literature Association Quarterly is seeking papers for their special issue that focuses on genre and black literature. Critical study concerning picture books, cartoons, comics, and graphic novels are encouraged. The deadline for papers is the 1st November 2015. Link (20/05/2014, English, MB)

The monograph, Wide Awake in Slumberland: Fantasy, Mass Culture, and Modernism in the Art Of Winsor McCay, by Katherine Roeder, has now been published through the University Press of Mississippi. Link (English, WG)

Asia

Japan

Culture

From the 31st May until the 31st August, Kyoto International Manga Museum is hosting an exhibition with 18,000 original works of art by manga artist Tsuchida Seiki. Link (English, JBS)

Shojo manga magazine Nakayoshi and Kyoto International Manga Museum are hosting the Nakayoshi Fest – Magical Girls Forever, from the 24th May until the 28th September. Link (English, JBS)

Yonezawa Yoshihiro Memorial Library is hosting the exhibition Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinchu and Kumota Haruko, from the 6th June until the 28th September. Link (Japanese, JBS)

The long-running gourmet manga series Oishinbo is going on hiatus after the controversy about comments on the Fukushima disaster in recent installments. Link (17/05/2014, English, JBS)

Research

JSSCC (Japanese Society for Studies in Cartoons and Comics) will hold its 14th annual conference on the 28th June (at Kyoto Seika University Campus) and the 29th June (at Kyoto International Manga Museum). For the full program please go to the website. Link (Japanese, JBS)

Europe

Austria

Research

Jean-Pascal Vachon gave a talk on Franco-Belgian comics at the University of Innsbruck on the 13th May. Link (08/05/2014, German, MdlI)

Belgium

Research

The is a Call for Papers for a special issue of the online journal Image & Narrative entitled, “Transformed by Comics: the influence of comics/BD/graphic novels on the Novel.” 400-500 word abstracts are due by the 30th September. Link (English, WG)

France

Business

The catalogues of bande dessinée publishers L’Association and Ankamaare are now available on the digital comics platform Iznéo. Link 1 (13/05/2014, French, LTa), Link 2 (26/05/2014, French, LTa)

Culture

A page of Hergé illustrations has broken the world record for a bande dessinée at auction, selling for over 2.5 million euros. Link (24/05/2014, French, LTa)

Germany

Culture

An exhibition on Mosaik is shown in Berlin from the 11th April to the 3rd August. Link (05/05/2014, German, MdlI)

A talk on “Berlin and Tokyo in manga” was given by Marianna Poppitz and Michel Decomain in Berlin, accompanied by an exhibition and a comic publication. Link (07/05/2014, German, MdlI)

An exhibition on comic artist Paco Roca is shown in Munich from the 23rd May to the 21st June. Link (15/05/2014, German, MdlI)

An exhibition of comic artist Simon Schwartz and his father, painter Gert Schwartz, opened in Berlin on the 30th May. Link (22/05/2014, German, MdlI)

An exhibition of French comics takes place in Osnabrück from the 10th May to the 12th July. Link (26/05/2014, German, MdlI)

Research

Will Brooker gave a talk on “The Batman Brand” in Cologne. Link (12/05/2014, German, MdlI)

Frans Lambeau gave a talk on Tintin in Saarbrücken. Link (19/05/2014, German, MdlI)

The German Society for Comics Studies (ComFor) is going to host a series of talks at Comic-Salon Erlangen from the 20th to the 22nd June. Link (29/05/2014, German, MdlI)

Hungary

Culture

ComiXconnection, a multinational comics exhibition featuring works by Croatian, Serbian, Slovenian, Romanian and Hungarian artists has arrived at Budapest’s kArton Gallery, and also MüSzi. Link (English, ES)

The 10th International Comics Festival Budapest was held on the 18th May at Dürer Kert, Budapest. International guest artists and writers included Boulet (France), Hélène Becquelin (Switzerland), Claudio Chiaverotti (Italy), Bartosz Sztybor and Piotr Nowacki (Poland). Link (English, ES)

Ben Katchor is the comics-related guest of the Café Amsterdam festival, which took place between the 29th and 31st April. He took part in a roundtable with Hungarian comics artist Dániel Csordás and Dutch artist Barbara Stok. Link (English, ES)

Portugal

Culture

The Gallery El Pep in Lisbon is hosting an exhibition titled O Amor Infinito Que Te Tenho (The infinite love that I have for you) by the Portuguese comic author Paulo Monteiro. The exhibition can be visited until 13th June. Link (17/05/2014, Portuguese, RR)

Until the 20th June, the Universidade Fernando Pessoa in Oporto is hosting an exhibition titled Pessoa & Cia that shows the comic work of the Spanish author Laura Pérez Vernetti. Her works reveal her admiration for Fernando Pessoa (a well known Portuguese writer). On the 13th June, Vernetti will also be participating in a round table, which will take place in the same University. Link (15/05/2014, Portuguese, RR)

Romania

Culture

The 2nd edition of the East European Comic Con took place in Bucharest between the 9th and 11th May. It included independent cartoonists and animators from Eastern Europe, as well as workshops, exhibitions, gaming and cosplay competitions. Link (English, MP)

Sweden

Culture

MCM Comic Con is launching a Swedish Comic Con at Kista-mässan in Stockholm between the 30th October and the 2nd November according to Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. Link (29/04/2014, Swedish, WG)*

Stockholms Internationella Seriefestival (Stockholm’s International Comics Festival) took place between the 17th and 18th May. A detailed report and photographs of the festival are available at the following link. Link (30/05/2014, Swedish, KBF)

UK

Culture

Comics Unmasked: Art & Anarchy in the UK, the exhibition at the British Library, opened on the 2nd May. Paul Gravett provides a curator’s perspective (Link 1), and The Comics Grid blog provides reportage (Link 2 – scroll through for various articles). Link 1 (03/05/2014, English, WG), Link 2 (English, WG). The official website can be found here: Link 3 (English, IH [update 05/07/2014]).

Education

The Centre for Research in Media and Cultural Studies, University of Sunderland, are offering two PhD Scholarships in media, film, or cultural studies. Interested applicants should send a CV, 500 word proposal, and covering letter to Lianne Hopper (lianne.hopper@sunderland.ac.uk) by the 4th July. More details about the department can be found through the link. Link (English, WG)

Research

The Comics Grid have published the call for papers for the 5th Transitions symposium, which welcomes papers on any aspect of comics. Abstracts are due by the 30th July, for the conference which takes place on the 25th October at Birkbeck, University of London. Link (27/05/2014, English, WG)

Registration is now open for The Fifth International Graphic Novel and Comics Conference, which takes place at the British Library (London) in July. Link (English, WG)

The deadline is looming for proposals for Comics Forum 2014 – Violence: A Conference on Comics. Abstracts are due by the 14th June for the event which will take place between the 13th and 14th November at Leeds Central Library. Link (English, WG)

Oceania

Australia

Culture

Adelaide comic creators Mike Cooper, Owen Heitmann and Gina Chadderton all had work accepted by the Indie Comics Quarterly, Volume One. The anthology will be on sale on the 31st May. Link (English, ALM)

 

*                    *                    *

 

News Editor: Will Grady (comicsforumnews@hotmail.co.uk)

Correspondents: Jessica Bauwens-Sugimoto (JBS, Japan), Michele Brittany (MB, North America), Kristy Beers Fägersten (KBF, Sweden), William Grady (WG, UK), Martin de la Iglesia (MdlI, Austria & Germany), Amy Louise Maynard (ALM, Australia), Mihaela Precup (MP, Romania), Renatta Rafaella (RR, Portugal), Eszter Szép (ES, Hungary), Lise Tannahill (LTa, France).

*Courtesy of Lars Wallner.

Click here for News Review correspondent biographies.

Click here to see the News Review archive.

Suggestions for articles to be included in the News Review can be sent to Will Grady at the email address above.