Creators | Eighty-four-year-old artist Albert Uderzo, who created Asterix the Gaul in 1959 with writer René Goscinny, has announced he's retiring, saying he's "a bit tired" after 52 years of drawing. The news came as publisher Hachette celebrated the sale of 350 million Asterix books worldwide. Uderzo, who took over writing after the death of Goscinny in 1977, said he has found an as-yet-unnamed successor to continue his legacy, beginning with a new book planned for release in late 2012. [Reuters, BBC News]

Passings | Italian comics writer and publisher Sergio Bonelli, whose company Sergio Bonelli Editore (formerly CEPIM) releases such titles as Dylan Dog and Nathan Never, passed away Monday in Milan. He was 79. [UPI]

Legal | A witness testified Monday in Michael George's murder trial that she heard the defendant and his first wife Barbara George have a particularly heated argument in their Clinton Township, Michigan, comic store on July 13, 1990, only hours before Barbara was shot and killed. [Detroit Free Press]



Creators | If, after reading Brigid Alverson's Robot 6 interview with Jim Zubkavich, you're itching for more about the return of Makeshift Miracle, USA Today's Brian Truitt profiles the creator and offers a look at some of Shun Hong Chan's concept art. [USA Today]

Creators | Batman writer Scott Snyder talks more about Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, and a war between the Dark Knight and a centuries-old organization for the soul of Gotham City. [Hero Complex]

Creators | Writer Duane Swierczynski chats briefly about DC's relaunched Birds of Prey, and how Poison Ivy fits into the team: "She wants to be a force for good, right now. At this moment. And she brings a skill that they really need because part of the threat in the first couple of issues is someone who uses mind-control drugs and she's immune to that stuff. She doesn't have that problem. And she's extremely useful at interrogating people as you will see. Again, though, her story won't be told for a few issues as to what's going on in her head. I never think anyone though is a true villain, I think everyone just has different motivations honestly. Even the worst villain in a crime novel -- they have good reasons for doing what they're doing usually." [Ology]

Process | J.M. De Matteis shares his 2003 proposal to CrossGen for Abadazad, "the one that fired up editor Ian Feller and publisher Mark Alessi and lured the legendary Mike Ploog back into the comic book field." [J.M. De Matteis]