Passings | Award-winning science fiction and fantasy author Lucius Shepard, whose work included Life During Wartime and The Jaguar Hunter, passed away March 18. He was 66. Shepard ventured into comics writing on a few occasions, with the series Vermillion, part of DC Comics' short-lived Helix imprint, and with contributions to Vertigo anthologies Gangland and Flinch. [Tor.com, BoingBoing]
Creators | American Vampire artist Rafael Albuquerque talks about the upcoming "Second Cycle" of the Vertigo series, which returns after a hiatus of more than a year. [Hero Complex]
Creators | Ms. Marvel writer G. Willow Wilson talks about her character Kamala Khan, her own conversion to Islam, inclusivity in comics, and the comics community as the place where she feels most comfortable: "In comics, we're all weird together. I can go to a comics convention and not stand out, even though I'm the only woman in a headscarf there, because the guy next to me has a beard and a Sailor Moon costume." [Vulture]
Creators | Tim Seeley discusses reviving the Chaos Comics characters for a new miniseries for Dynamite Entertainment, and he also talks about his new creator-owned series Sundowners, to be published by Dark Horse. [Bloody Disgusting]
Creators | In a video interview, Toronto Star cartoonist Theo Moudakis chats about his job and how he draws the latest gift to editorial cartoonists, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford. [Toronto Star]
Comics | Editor Mort Todd, writer Paul Kupperberg, Charlton Comics artist Frank McLaughlin and filmmaker Helder Mira are among the guests on a comics-themed episode of The Colin McEnroe Show. [WNPR]
Culture | Emily Priddy takes a comics-themed tour of Southern Illinois, including the Superman museum in Metropolis and the Popeye statue in Chester, home of both Popeye creator Elzie Segar and the alleged inspiration for his iconic character, Frank "Rocky" Fiegel. She also writes about local creators Roy Thomas and Gary Frederick and mentions several comics and sci-fi themed events in the area. [Southeast Missourian]
Culture | Ben Rosen profiles comics podcaster, journalist and photographer Pat Loika. [Buzzfeed]
Retailing | Wilmington, North Carolina, comics shop Nerdvana Comix has relocated to a larger space in the downtown area because, according to owner Richard Davis, "Every downtown area needs a comic shop. It's as American as apple pie." [WECT]
Exhibits | Shelton Drum, owner of Heroes Aren't Hard to Find in Charlotte, North Carolina, talks about the original comics art he has collected over the years; that artwork is now on display at the William King Museum in Abingdon, Virginia. [TriCities.com]