Publishing | Within a day of DC Comics' entry into digital distribution, one commentator declares that "DC and Marvel Are Killing Digital Comics." Aaron Ting points to pricing, the lack of "3D page-turning interactivity," and the use of separate applications: "There should be one unified store, like iTunes or iBooks. Having separate digital stores makes sense if you're just trying to reach your individual loyal fans -- they'll download anything you ask them to. But digital comics needs to be about reaching out to people who don't currently read print comics, and those people aren't going to intuitively know that they should download an app put out by this 'DC' company -- even if that company owns Batman and Superman." [WordsFinest]

Retailing | A bailiff changed the locks on Toronto independent bookstore This Ain’t the Rosedale Library on Friday because the store's owners owe their landlord more than $40,000. Owners Jesse and Charlie Huisken explain their situation, and ask for donations, at the store's blog. Chris Oliveros comments on the store's early support of Drawn & Quarterly, and stresses the importance of independent booksellers. [The Globe and Mail, via Rory Seydel]

Legal | Malaysia's Home Ministry has banned a book and two comics by popular political cartoonist Zunar (Zulkifli Anwar Ulhaque) on the grounds that their contents "can influence the people to revolt against the leaders and government policies. The contents are not suitable and detrimental to public order." [Bernama]

Crime | A gang of "teenage dropouts" in Korea reportedly held one of its members hostage and beat her to death for gossiping about the "very bad behavior" of one of its leaders. The teens then allegedly disposed of the body with the help of a man who suggested they drain the 15-year-old girl's blood -- an idea he'd supposedly gotten from Gosho Aoyama's popular detective manga Cased Closed (aka Detective Conan). The details are horrific, obviously. But the U.K. newspaper Metro has gleefully pounced on the story, transforming it into "Blood of teenager is drained in 'manga' killing." The article goes on to define manga: "Manga are comic strips or cartoon films originating in Japan and drawn in a distinctive style. The adult versions of the comics are extremely popular in the Far East and often contain scenes of girls and women being raped and tortured." [Metro]

Creators | Bob Greenberger writes about the memorial service hosted by DC Comics for Dick Giordano. [Bob Greenberger, via The Comics Reporter]

Creators | Alan Gardner chats with 81-year-old Dick Locher, Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist and longtime artist and writer of Dick Tracy. [The Daily Cartoonist]

Creators | At The Comics Journal, Ian Burns begins a three-part interview with Air and Cairo writer G. Willow Wilson. [Part 1, Part 2]

Creators | Benjamin Bailey pens an ode to quintessential '90s artist Stephen Platt: "It only takes one look at the cover of Prophet #5 to understand why he appealed to those of us that were raised on 80′s and 90′s action movies. Sure it was hulking and overblown, but so was Rambo: First Blood Part 2. For me, Platt’s work is the peak of the 90′s comic book explosion, both the good and the bad of it. Most of us have moved on, and we look for different things in comic books these days, but I can’t help but feel a little bit nostalgic about Platt’s Prophet work." [Earth 616]

Creators | Christopher Farnsworth, author of the new vampire novel Blood Oath, reveals that he's in talking with comics publishers about potential projects: "I hope to do something with one of the comic companies, and I'm talking to them. As a kid, I wanted to grow up to write comics. I've been a reporter, screenwriter and now novelist. It's been a long way around, but I'm getting closer." [Bakersfield.com]

Comics | Frank Santoro: "You know who’s publishing the best art comics for the disaffected 19 year old kids who hang out at the record store? Image Comics. I sell the shit out of King City, Orc Stain and Bulletproof Coffin to the kids who hang out at the record store downstairs. Just sayin’." [Comics Comics]

Comics | Bully spotlights that wondrous piece of Marvel Universe technology -- the image inducer. [Bully Says: Comics Oughta Be Fun!]

Comics | John R. Platt rattles off the five best supehero sidekicks. [Tonic]

Comics | Dave Banks pays tribute to classic comic-book ads. [GeekDad]

Pop culture | Fred Mawer visits Parc Asterix, the 20-year-old Asterix-themed amusement park just north of Paris. [Telegraph]