Creators | Fast Company named writer Kelly Sue DeConnick as one of its 100 "Most Creative People in Business 2015," a list that includes innovators in technology, scientific research, entertainment, medicine and social media. The writer of such comics as Bitch Planet and Pretty Deadly, DeConnick is cited specifically for "reanimating a superhero," Captain Marvel. [Fast Company]
Awards | Bad Blood, the Dark Horse miniseries written by Jonathan Maberry and illustrated by Tyler Crook, won the Bram Stoker Award for superior achievement in a graphic novel, presented over the weekend by the Horror Writers Association. [Horror Writers Association]
Freedom of speech | A federal court in Malaysia has given the government permission to appeal a lower court's order removing the ban on two books of political cartoons by the cartoonists. Last October, the three-judge Court of Appeal ruled the cartoons were not a threat to public order, commenting, "It will be most exceptional if a political cartoon will have the effect of disturbing public order, security or the safety of a nation." The Federal Court's move on Monday opens the door for the government to attempt to reinstate the ban. [Malay Mail Online]
Political cartoons | Michael Cavna rounds up some responses to the problem of making cartoons about making cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad without actually making cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. He also includes a roundup of cartoons about the controversy and the recent shooting in Garland, Texas. [Comic Riffs]
Creators | Mark Waid and Fiona Staples, the writer and artist for the upcoming reboot of Archie, comment briefly on the publisher's new plans and its Kickstarter campaign. [Comic Riffs]
Creators | NPR's Scott Simon interviews New Yorker cartoonist Matthew Diffee, whose mother once talked him into resubmitting a rejected cartoon one last time — and she was right! [NPR]
Creators | Osamu Uoto discusses his manga Hiyokko Ryorinin (rookie chef), which was dedicated to the joys of cooking good meals, and eating them. [Asahi Shimbun]
Conventions | The South Texas Comic Con welcomed all comers, with a special Kids Comic Con, free admission to kids under 10, and conversations about sexism and oversexualization of women in comics. [Brownsville Herald]
Conventions | Piqua Comic Con, which took place last weekend in Piqua, Ohio, seems to embody what local comic cons are all about: A one-day con, organized by a local comics retailer, it included comics creators, vendors from local shops, wrestlers, a local punk band, and a wide variety of different types of comics and movies, and the proceeds went toward school supplies and summer lunches for local children. [The Daily Advocate]
Retailing | Lockport, New York, will be getting a new comic shop this summer: Pulp716, a combination comic shop and cafe that will feature not only comics and graphic novels but also coffee, bubble tea, and baked goods from a variety of bakers. [East Niagara Post]