Passings | U.K. journalist and comics writer Adrian Kermode, best known for his work on Petra Etcetera, was found dead in his home on May 2 of as-yet-unknown causes. He was 45. D'Israeli has a remembrance. [John Freeman, via Dirk Deppey]
Publishing | DC Comics' Vertigo imprint reportedly won't publish a third series of Harvey Pekar's American Splendor. [ComicsDC, via Dirk Deppey]
Publishing | Erica Friedman, president of Yuricon and ALC Publishing, eulogizes Central Park Media, the anime and manga distributor that filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy last week. [Anime Vice]
Publishing | Tom Spurgeon has a solid piece on what Diamond's decision not to distribute James Turner's Warlord of IO means to the industry. [The Comics Reporter]
Publishing | Jason Thompson considers who much the manga market has changed since his Manga: The Complete Guide was released in October 2007: "The tremendous flood of manga into the American market has slowed, but it still mixes lazily into the current, as part of a general Renaissance of comic book culture. (Although it's interesting to note how American superhero comics have, in general, become more realistically drawn and heavily rendered, as if in intentional contrast to the light cartoony touch of most manga.)" [Jason Thompson, via Anime Vice]
Retailing | Eau Claire Comics and Collectibles in Eau Clare, Wisconsin, is closing after nearly 20 years in business. [WEAU.com]
Publishing | MangaCast founder Ed Chavez has been hired by Vertical Inc. as marketing director. [Vertical]
Conventions | The National Post has interviews with a mind-boggling number of creators scheduled to appear May 9-10 at the Toronto Comic Arts Festival: Jeff Lemire, Troy Little, Jose Villarrubia, J. Torres, Erika Moen, Willow Dawson, Paul Rivoche, Steve MacIsaac, Tom Humberstone, Tim Fish, John Malloy, Graham Annable, Michael Cho, Ryan North, Tara McPherson and Scott Campbell. There's also a festival overview with organizer Christopher Butcher. [Toronto Comic Arts Festival]
Creators | Art Spiegelman talks about Maus, Garbage Pail Kids, Robert Crumb, and his advice for young artists. [Express Night Out]
Creators | Star Trek: Countdown writers Tim Jones and Mike Johnson discuss their work on the movie prequel for IDW Publishing. [SciFi Scanner]
Webcomics | A look at Eisner Awards nominees Bodyworld and Finder. [The Webcomic Overlook]
Comics | Wolverine is at the nexus of the Great Comic Book Hair Continuum. Apparently. [Living Between Wednesdays]
Comics | The Bodacious Baddies of DC Comics. [Has Boobs, Reads Comics]