Retailing | Retailer Robert Scott of Comickaze Comics in San Diego, California, criticizes Marvel's Prostate Cancer Awareness Month variant covers as a poorly conceived gimmick, noting that they're not a fund-raiser — no money goes to any cancer charity — and don't even do a good job of raising awareness. Not only that, but he says the minimum-order requirement means that some retailers won't be able to order them, and many of those who do won't be able to donate their cut of the proceeds to prostate cancer causes. [ICv2]

Comics | Toy dealer Joel Magee explains why he cheerfully paid $20,000 for a collection of old Marvel comics: It included the first appearances of all the Silver Age Marvel superheroes. [The Morning Call]

Kickstarter | Hazel Newlevant discusses the success of "Chain Mail Bikini," the anthology of comics by and about women gamers that she edited and successfully crowdfunded on Kickstarter. She credited Iron Circus publisher C. Spike Trotman for coming up with the model for the Kickstarter, in which the artists get bonuses if the funding exceeds the original goal: "I have found that people are more stoked to donate a lot or share something or push for something to happen when they know that they’re supporting their favourite artist. That’s more of an incentive than a gold-foil poster or other things that can be offered." The comic was originally hand-sold by contributors but has been picked up for distribution by Alternative Comics and is now available in comic shops and bookstores. [PopMatters]

Creators | Congressman John Lewis returned from Comic-Con (where he and his co-creators won an Eisner Award for "March") and went to the Democratic National Convention — then explained graphic novels to a group of his colleagues. [Atlanta Journal Constitution]

Creators | In an interview conducted earlier this month at Anime Expo, Deb Aoki talks to "Blue Exorcist" creator Kazue Kato. [Anime News Network]

Creators | Richard Curland writes a local-history profile of Martin Branner, creator of the comic strip "Winnie Winkle." [Norwich Bulletin]

Comic Strips | Artist Joe Giella has retired from his gig drawing the comic strip "Mary Worth." [Mary Worth]

Conventions | David Jerome and his family spent a pleasant day enjoying the outside attractions at Comic-Con International in San Diego, none of which required a badge. [OC Register]

Libraries | The Riford Library in La Jolla, California, is acquiring a collection of 600 graphic novels that branch manager Shaun Briley says will be "second to none." The books, which were purchased with a grant from the Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation, will be available only to patrons of the La Jolla library and cannot be shared via inter-library loan. [La Jolla Light]