Publishing | Seconds, by Scott Pilgrim creator Bryan Lee O'Malley, had an impressive debut, landing at No. 2 and No. 5 on the BookScan chart of graphic novels sold in the book channel in July. The book had a standard edition and a Barnes & Nobles exclusive. ICv2 reckons if there had been a single edition, Seconds would have topped the list; instead, the No. 1 spot went to the latest volume of Naruto. It was also a good month for DC Comics, which charted seven titles, six of which involve Batman.[ICv2]

Publishing | In an overview of the comics and graphic novel market, ICv2 reports direct market retailers are optimistic despite flat sales in the first half of the year. [ICv2]

Publishing | Alan Yu examines the impact of piracy on the Hong Kong comics scene, where print sales are down by a factor of 10, and the anime convention Ani-Com is one of the most important retail channels. He also talks to a couple of local creators about their work. [South China Morning Post]

Comics | Jason Heller looks back at the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics, which are very different from the version of the quartet we'll see in the new film. [Entertainment Weekly]

Creators | Simone Lia, creator of God, Please Find Me a Husband, discusses how her faith and her work intertwine, and the complications the book brought to her romantic life, including an admirer giving her his number at a book signing "in case you're still looking for someone." "Now I’m a bit paranoid," she says, "because if anyone Googles my name, that book title comes up and it sounds like I’m desperate." [Catholic Herald]

Academia | Boston University lecturer Laura Jiménez studies how "expert readers" — fans — read graphic novels, and uses that information to help teachers incorporate graphic novels into their classes. [BU Today]

Retailing | Red Dwarf star Chris Barrie is opening his own comics and coffee shop tomorrow. [The Rugby Observer]

Conventions | Despite rapid growth in the past few years, Boston Comic Con will stay true to its roots, with a strong focus on local artists, say the organizers, although there will be some big names (including John Barrowman) there as well. [WBUR]

Conventions | With the local ComicCONN right around the corner, Scott Gargan writes about the rise in popularity of comics conventions, with a focus on cosplay. [Connecticut Post]