Archive - Aug 2005 - Story
August 27th
Gamespot Interviews Penny Arcade Business Manager Robert Khoo
Submitted by Erik Melander on August 27, 2005 - 12:28
The interview covers both Khoo himself and the business that is Penny Arcade.
GS: And have they ever told you about their first impressions of you?
RK: I think they thought I was smart. But then again, that's not saying much, as these are the same guys that accidentally sold Penny Arcade as well as their print rights without actually knowing they did.
August 26th
KGB Confiscates Webcartoonist's Equipment, Threatens Jail
Submitted by TCampbell on August 26, 2005 - 13:55
The Belarus regime is cracking down on webcomics:
Dear Dr. R. Russell:
I live in Grodno, Belarus. My name is Oleg Minich. I'm a cartoonist and I have created 28 short cartoons about contemporary life in Belarus.
On 16.08.2005 five KGB officers burst into my flat, conducted a search, took away my computer, all CDs, and all floppy disks. I'm accused under the article 368 Criminal Code Republic of Belarus "Insulting of the President of Belarus." I can be imprisoned for 5 years.
Penny Arcade Expo Begins Today
Submitted by Erik Melander on August 26, 2005 - 09:36
While it is undoubtedly wrong to label the Penny Arcade Expo a comic convention, it is still an impressive testament to the popularity of the webcomic. For the next three days there will be a whole lot of gaming going on.
Things We Missed About the PSP
Submitted by Erik Melander on August 26, 2005 - 09:23
This CNET news item from back in June points out that SONY has registered a number of PSP related trademarks, inkluding "PSP Magazine", "PSP books" and "PSP comics". The article notes that this may not be foretelling actual content, but simply a precaution against property poachers.
The second item in this category is the site pspcmx.com, with the tagline "Your source for PSP optimized comics". While the site hasn't been updated since May as a result of "personal issues", posts in the forum indicates that there are plans to resume operations in the future.
Tangents Webcomic Reviews Join Panel 2 Panel
Submitted by Tangent on August 26, 2005 - 07:39
After a month hiatus, Tangents Webcomic Reviews is back in business with reviews, rants, and more, but now at Panel 2 Panel.com.
August 25th
Reman Mythology Webcomic Halts Production
Submitted by Erik Melander on August 25, 2005 - 08:32
Amy Kim Ganter has announced that she will halt production on her webcomic Reman Mythology, but adds that she has no intention of abandoning the story. She hopes to eventually make a completely redrawn print version.
August 24th
Sony Releases PSP 2.0 Firmware Update
Submitted by Erik Melander on August 24, 2005 - 12:07
Sony has finally released the PSP 2.0 firmware update for North America. The most important features, for webcomic creators, in the update is probably the web browser and the support for gif, png, tiff and bmp picture formats.
Manga and Cell Phones
Submitted by Erik Melander on August 24, 2005 - 08:58
Tom Spurgeon points to this Wired article on manga for cell phones. The land of the rising sun seems to have an impressive lead in the handheld content department, not that strange when corporate behemoths like Sony Pictures Entertainment is in the mix.
Sony Pictures Entertainment will almost triple the number of comic books it formats for viewing on mobile phones, making it the No. 1 provider of 'manga' for Japanese turning to their handsets for entertainment.
The move means Sony will offer 300 titles, compared to less than half that figure combined by top rivals NTT Solmare and Toppan Publishing.
Australian newspaper The Age has slightly more info on the news (free subscription required *cough*bugmenot*cough*).
August 23rd
Graphic Novels For the PSP
Submitted by Erik Melander on August 23, 2005 - 16:21
NYC2123 is a graphic novel formated for the PSP. The first issue is available as a download now, with the second coming in September.
Water Media offers a 216 page graphic novel and a 32 page comic as free PSP downloads. You can also buy the comics in the old fashioned "dead tree" versions.
Tuesday Morning News Roundup
Submitted by Erik Melander on August 23, 2005 - 07:09
PC Weenies has annouced Club PCW. For a membership fee of $12 a year, members will have access to bonus material and discounts. The idea of creating premium clubs seems to be more and more common among webcomics.
HER! [Girl vs Pig] is back from a month hiatus with a new look and new website. Chris Bishop has also made an invitation for guest strips to help celebrate his birthday on September 8.
Midnite Comics has let us know that they have launched a new "Midnite Mini" comic entitled Dead Man's Chest. And it has pirates in it, Arrrr.
Update: Garrr, T "Cutthroat" Campbell points out that I must've looked too deep in me cup o' grog as Dead Man's Chest won't actually be available until the end of the month.
Gamecloud has an interview with Mike Fehlauer, full time employee of the Penny Arcade corporation, about the upcoming Penny Arcade Expo (PAX).
And to wrap things up, Squid and Ink appears to be an upcoming new comic magazine featuring primarily webcomic creators.
