Links: One comic to rule them all

Bluewater Comics will be releasing a biography about J.R.R. Tolkein. Subtitled The True Lord of the Rings, the comic will explore Tolkein’s career and influences in depth. Chris Wilson has the details.

Remember He-Man and the Masters of the Universe? DC Comics will be publishing a new, six-issue series inspired by the popular Reagan-era toy and television show.

Coming soon to a spinner rack near you: Sesame Street comics. Ape Entertainment confirmed that it would be publishing educational comics starring such iconic characters as Big Bird, Elmo, Grover, Ernie, Bert, and Cookie Monster; the first will arrive in stores this fall.

J. Torres spoke to Graphic Novel Reporter about the new and improved Jinx, a character who made her comic-book debut in 1947. “We’re looking at gender roles and gender politics in the series,” Torres explains. “Of course, not too seriously, not too heavy handedly, because we want it to be fun, but at the same time we want it to tell some stories that people relate to.”

Julinda Morrow interviewed Courtney Crumrin creator Ted Naifeh about his work habits and the comics industry in general.

At SLJTeen, Brigid Alverson rounds up some promising young adult graphic novels due out this spring.

What if Darth Vader had been a hands-on father? That’s the premise of Jeffrey Brown’s Darth Vader and Son, a cheerful reimagining of the Luke Skywalker/Darth Vader relationship.

Good news for Ai Yazawa fans: Vertical, Inc. has rescued Paradise Kiss from licensing purgatory, and will be re-printing this beloved series in three hardcover volumes.

When an enterprising third grader was told that comics didn’t count as “real” reading, he decided to make comics and literacy the topic of a science fair project. Sam’s tenacity paid off: not only did he win top honors at the Alaksa State Science Fair, he also persuaded his teacher to change her no-comics policy. Now that’s awesome.

MTV Geek has an exclusive preview of Kevin Keller #2, from Archie Comics.

Reviews: Johanna Draper Carlson gives high marks to Mastering Manga with Mark Crilley, while Drew McCabe tackles Dororo and The Three Stooges, Vol. 1: Bed-Bugged!

Young Readers (Ages 4-8)
Danica Davidson on Beep and Bah (Graphic Novel Reporter)
Nicola on Earthquakes! (First Graphics) (Back to Books)
Lori Henderon on Kitty & Dino (Manga Xanadu)
Danica Davidson on Lunch Lady and the Mutant Mathletes (Graphic Novel Reporter)
Johanna Draper Carlson on The Shark King (Comics Worth Reading)
Greg McElhatton on The Shark King (Read About Comics)
Nicola on Volcanoes! (First Graphics) (Back to Books)

Pre-Teens (Ages 9-12)
Victoria Dixon on Crogan’s Vengeance, Crogan’s March, and Crogan’s Loyalty (Historical Novel Review)
Elizabeth Bird on Giants Beware! (School Library Journal)
Steve Bennett on Jinx (ICv2)
Brian Cronin on Jinx (Comics Should Be Good)
John Hogan on Jinx (Graphic Novel Reporter)
Esther Keller on vol. 1 of Witch & Wizard: The Manga and Witch & Wizard: Battle for Shadowland (Good Comics for Kids)

Teens (13+)
Paige McKee on vol. 4 of Deltora Quest (Sequential Tart)
Anna on vol. 2 of A Devil and Her Love Song (Manga Report)
Katherine Dacey on vol. 1 of The Earl & The Fairy (The Manga Critic)
Whitney on Friends with Boys (No Flying No Tights)
Ryan Donovan on Gotham City Sirens, Vol. 2: Songs of the Sirens (Graphic Novel Reporter)
John Hogan on Ichiro (Graphic Novel Reporter)
Sterg Botzakis on Kill Shakespeare, Vol. 2: The Blast of War (Graphic Novel Resources)
Johanna Draper Carlson on Mastering Manga with Mark Crilley (Comics Worth Reading)
Snow Wildsmith on vol. 1 of Skip Beat! 3-in-1 Edition (ICv2)
Johanna Draper Carlson on vol. 1 of Soulless: The Manga (Manga Worth Reading)
Russ on vols. 1-6 of Ultimo (No Flying No Tights)
John Hogan on X-Factor: Super Unnatural (Graphic Novel Reporter)
Nathan Wilson on X-Men: Season One (Graphic Novel Reporter)

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