The TfC Ramble is a weekly digest of content from the intersection of technology and comics.
AI
Kickstarter: Introducing Our AI Policy ← This is likely the most important tech/comics news this week.
If you missed it, the following is an interesting analysis, especially for writers. Many will recognize Russell Nohelty as a key player in the comic crowdfunding space.
NFTs
Tibles.com → OneShots & Aggretsuko
Tibles is currently running a “get a free pack” promotion with various products. This does, indeed, include licensed digital trading cards from the Valiant universe! These are both accessed using easy-to-use apps available via their site.
Veve.me
Aug. 2 Walt Disney's The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck: The Last of the Clan McDuck Published: 1992 Price: 6.99 (Still available) Total Editions: 10,000
Aug. 3 Fantastic Four (1961) #2 The first appearance of the Skrulls!
List Price: 6.99 (sold out) Total Editions: 7,500
nft.dcuniverse.com
Aug. 3 BATMAN (1940-2011) #655 Damian Wayne's first appearance.
List Price: 9.99 (Still available) Total Editions: 3,573
Just Charts
The data below is not specifically comics-related, but there has been a lot of talk lately about “Hollywood accounting” and hidden financial shenanigans. The screen capture below is a real-time representation of key Bitcoin metrics. This sort of verifiable transparency is possible using blockchain/digital ledger technology and is one of the reasons I have been investigating the tech’s potential to distribute IP revenue fairly to creators.
Writer Accountability
I’ve discovered manga. Ha! More precisely, I am now officially addicted to two series. My wife was on holiday again this week, and we took time to read. Printed copies of Chainsaw Man and Spy Family came with us to the beach. And somehow, I’ve ended up with a subscription to the Shonen Jump app. Ha!
Reading manga at the beach got me wondering how much of its success can be attributed to the actual physical format. I’d never take a floppy comic anywhere near water and sand. That format is like precious art to me.
I am taking mental notes about things I enjoy in manga that could be brought to floppies. The storytelling in these two particular books is quite different. For example, has Batman ever uttered the word “Boobies?” Ha! I also wonder if my TLSS prequel might work better as a manga title. Hmmm…
What manga should I read next as I continue my research? Subscribers, if you are manga savvy, please leave a suggestion in the comments below.
Tuesday, I sat in on the latest Brian Michael Class and, wow, what a treat! Matt Fraction, the writer of one of my favourite comics ever (Hawkeye #11), was the guest. That issue had a direct impact on how I wrote Lump Dog.
Friday, I had the pleasure of sitting in on an interview with Spencer Nodell, Martin Nodell’s son. It was interesting to hear that even the original artist of the Green Lantern saw comics almost as a side hustle, going as far as to use a pseudonym at one point so comics didn’t negatively impact his advertising career.
Just for Fun
There’s a comics metaphor in there somewhere. 😂