Publishing | Writer Tina Anderson reports that Marc Weidenbaum, vice president of original publishing, has left Viz Media, which now has put plans on hold for its line of original graphic novels. The initiative, headed by Weidenbaum and Senior Editor Eric Searleman, was announced last April. The publisher conducted its first portfolio reviews in July at Comic-Con International. [Tina Anderson's blog]

Publishing | Yen Press Publisher Kurt Hassler talks about his company's acquisition of Kiyohiko Azuma’s Yotsuba&!, previously published in North America by ADV Manga. [MangaBlog]

Creators | Xeric Award-winning cartoonist Ryan Alexander chats about self-publishing, and collaborating with William Ayers on To Teach: The Graphic Memoir. [Comix 411]

Publishing | This isn't a shock or anything, but it's still interesting to note: Forty percent of the readership of Japan's Weekly Shonen Jump is between the ages of 12 and 14. How many American publishers would kill for that demographic? [Canned Dogs]

Webcomics | Dean Trippe and Evan Bryce have launched President Awesome, a weekly political comic devoted to Barack Obama: "Basically, it’s The Daily Show meets The Far Side, but you know, way better." [President Awesome]

Creators | Writer Peter Milligan has joined fellow Vertigo creators Jason Aaron, Brian Azzarello, Cliff Chiang, Jock, David Lapham, G. Willow Wilson and Brian Wood at Standard Attrition group blog and message board. [Standard Attrition]

Blogosphere | The Savage Critics review site has added bloggers Sean Collins, Chris Eckert, Dick Hyacinth, Tucker Stone and David Uzumeri to its lineup. [Savage Critics]

Art and design | Cartoonist Bryan Lee O'Malley shares some of his process for the cover of Scott Pilgrim vs. the Universe. [Flickr]

Creators | Comics writer and video-game journalist Kieron Gillen reviews Scott Pilgrim vs. the Universe. [Kieron Gillen's Workblog]

Crime | Graham Crackers Comics in Naperville, Ill., was robbed last week for the second time in a little more than a year. This time a group of women stole a first-edition Conan the Barbarian #1 and five figurines and busts, all valued at $1,250. [Naperville Sun]

Blogosphere | I enjoyed the Valentine's Day Weekend lists at Funnybook Babylon. Of course, I'm a sucker for a good list. [Funnybook Babylon]

Crime | Drivers in Rosh Ha'ayin, Israel, were accosted Sunday by a man dressed as Spider-Man who leaped from car to car, occasionally attempting to lasso vehicles with his "web." When the man was taken into custody he told police he had been hit by a car and found himself in a hospital wearing the costume. [Y Net News]