New Kid-Friendly Comic Discovery -- Beanworld

I was quite happy to run across an issue of Larry Marder's Beanworld at Chicago Comics this weekend. I had heard this title discussed on the Around Comics podcast, but hadn't checked it out for myself.

In short, Beanworld is, indeed, "A most peculiar comic book experience." Beans talking in half-English/half-nonsense, magicians, bean-battles, various planes of existence; this book's got them all.

I found this issue to be absolutely enthralling; truly nothing like I've ever read. There are no objectionable images/ideas that would scare away younger readers, and though the art is deceivingly simple, I found it to be quite an entertaining read.

There is a collection available right now(Beanworld Book 1: Wahoolazuma!), which I'll be picking up myself very soon.

Higly recommended.

Dividers for Comic Boxes

Just purchased these dividers from Challengers Comics in Chicago.

If you're keeping a box of comics in your classroom, these are a must-have. They're a little pricey at $16.99, but they take the headache out of organizing your classroom collection.

These dividers are made out of sturdy plastic, so you'll need a label-maker to label the tabs.

ComicLife Tutorial

I've written a ComicLife tutorial for my students to use in class, but this is much simpler. The first few pages are a sample assignment; the actual tutorial begins on page four.

[Thanks to DigMo for posting this.]

Documentary Trailer: The Cartoonist

I could not be more excited about this film, in which Jeff Smith and his fellow indie comics creators are given the attention they deserve.

[Thanks to Newsarama for the news-arama.]

The Fortress of Solitude

Considering 'branding' my classroom, using these images from Action Comics Annual #10 as a starting point.