Publishing | Despite the debut of DC Comics' Flashpoint and the release of the second issue of Marvel's Fear Itself -- big summer events for both publishers -- no comic sold more than 100,000 copies in the direct market in May. Fear Itself #2 led Diamond Comic Distributors' list of Top 300 comics with an estimated 96,318 copies, a decline of some 32,000 copies from its first issue. But it's the debut of Flashpoint in the No. 2 slot, with an estimated 86,981 copies, that ICv2 says "has to be considered disappointing." However, the retail news and analysis website is quick to point out that several stores have indicated they sold out of their initial orders of the book, suggesting it may have been under-ordered by event-wary retailers. ICv2 also notes a 17.3 percent drop in the Top 300 comics before explaining the situation isn't as grim as that figure may suggest. However, it cautions, the same can't be said for the graphic novel category, which was down just 6.2 percent from May 2010 -- a month in which no title sold more than 5,000 copies. John Jackson Miller has further analysis. [ICv2.com]
Creators | In a piece titled "Happy Father's Day; Glad You're Not Here," Neal Kirby pays tribute to his father, the late Jack Kirby, in the process exposing some of the bitterness over the way the comics legend has been credited in recent movie adaptations: "If [you're] unfamiliar with the comics industry, and just enjoy super-hero movies, you will notice my fathers’ name on some screen credits, usually buried at the end of the movie; sometimes, as in the recent Thor release, coming third after someone who had no hand in the characters’ creation other than being the editor-in-chief’s brother. Unfortunately, for the past several years, some in the comics industry who have had the benefit of longevity have used the opportunity to claim to be the sole creator of all of Marvels’ characters. Must be great to be the last man standing. It would seem that being backed by the public relations department of a large corporation buys access into the 24/7 news cycle." [CO2 Comics Blog]
Creators | Christopher Irving profiles Chris Claremont, covering his time as an editor at Marvel, his move to the "All New, All Different" X-Men, and his collaborations with Dave Cockrum and John Byrne. [Graphic NYC]
Creators | Alex Dueben talks with Trina Robbins about editing Miss Fury, a collection of comic strips written and drawn by Tarpe Mills in the 1940s. [Suicide Girls]
Creators | Batman Incorporated artist Chris Burnham chats about his career, fan criticism, artistic style, influences, and working with Grant Morrison: "Although Grant leaves much of the dialog unwritten, he’s fairly specific in his panel descriptions. Most of the little things are Grant’s. He’s not Alan Moore or anything, but when he’s describing a new character or setting he’ll give a couple paragraphs of description." [Mindless Ones]
Comic-Con | Tom Mason rounds up some companies looking to hire people to oversee their presence at Comic-Con International -- probably not this year's event -- and other conventions/trade shows. [Comix 411]