Publishing | More than 4,000 new comic titles were released in the European Francophone market in 2012, marking the 17th consecutive year of growth. According to the Association des Critiques et journalistes de Bande Dessinée, the French association of comic strip critics and journalists, more comics were produced in the Francophone market than in the United States. [RFI]

Comics | The death of Spider-Man hits the mainstream media, with Marvel Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso asserting, "We didn't make this move lightly." Stan Lee called it "a helluva birthday present" but added "But then, a little voice in my head whispered, 'never say never. Just go with it while you can because Marvel, the House of Ideas, will always have a surprise up its creative sleeve for you and the rest of Marveldom Assembled!'" Entertainment Weekly's Geoff Boucher said the ongoing deaths of superheroes are starting to feel "a little gimmicky" but he also nailed why the publishers do it: "if you look at who's buying Marvel and DC, it's long term fans and those readers are going to complain about this and debate about it -- but are going to buy two copies." [New York Daily News]

Publishing | U.K. publisher Nobrow Press has announced a children's imprint, Flying Eye Books, to launch in February. [Forbidden Planet]



Manga | Deadman Wonderland, the survival action manga by Jinsei Kataoka and Kazuma Kondou, will return from hiatus Jan. 26 in the March issue of Monthly Shonen Ace magazine. The series was put on hold in April after Kataoka announced her pregnancy; she gave birth in July to a boy. [Anime News Network]

Creators | In the latest Comics Reporter interview, Carol Tyler talks frankly about wrapping up her You'll Never Know trilogy, which is about her family, while dealing with a host of real-life family issues, as well as the joys and deprivations of the comics life. [The Comics Reporter]

Creators | Boston public radio station WGBH features interviews with four area creators: Don MacDonald, Brian McFadden, Ryan North, and John Walsh. [WGBH]

Comics | Reporter Diane Rado takes a look at the use of two graphic novels, Ande Parks and Chris Samnee's Capote in Kansas and Art Spiegelman's Maus, in local high school classrooms. [Chicago Tribune]



Comics | Tim True posts Part 2 of his look at the Indian comics scene. [Sex, Drugs & Comic Books]

Best of the year | Matt Price shares his picks for the best graphic novels of 2012. [Nerdage]

Best of the year | Dave Ferraro chooses the best superhero comics of 2012. [Comics-and-More]

Best of the year | Rob McMonigal spotlights a particular sector of the industry for his best-of-the-year list: "floppy-first indie comics." [Panel Patter]