THE PRIVATE EYE #1-7 Gets a Turn on The Cosmic Treadmill

Brian K. Vaughan (Saga, Y: The Last Man, TV’s Lost) and artist Marcos Martin (Amazing Spider-Man, Daredevil) have quietly disrupted the comic book industry with a small crack in the wall.

Beyond the innovative distribution method they have devised with a ‘pay what you want’ donation system at Panel Syndicate site, the story itself is revolutionary. 

‏Within the tablet-friendly landscape format with a DRM-free file formats lies a future tale where nothing is private. The Internet doesn’t exist. The ‘cloud’ has burst and everyone wears a mask. The cops of the future are The Fourth Estate - code word for the press.

You may not know about this sleeper hit, but if you wanted to, you can pay $0 to read it right now.

You’ll quickly find justification for leaving a donation (or not, that’s how they roll). 

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for January 29, 2014

COMICS

Lying! Lying Cat is the star of the latest issue of the much lauded Saga #18. Remember it is good to buy in issues because of the amazing letters pages that will not be reprinted in the trade! … Dean Haspiel revives Red Circle family friendly hero The Fox in the hilariously adventuresome The Fox #4 as he takes on the King of Diamonds. …Aw Yeah, Lil’ Sonja! The tiny versions of our favorite Dynamite pals continue with Lil’ Sonja from Jim Zub and cover by famous cartoonist Art Baltazar! Picks from Leaguepodcast.com.

EARTH PRIME TIME: GENDER THROUGH COMIC BOOKS MOOC

Last week we talked about MMORPGs and MOBAs. This week we embark on a different multiplayer experience, the MOOC, Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). Class is in session for Christina Blanch’s (Ball State University) Gender Through Comic Books MOOC, and the best part of it all is that homework equals reading comic books. 7000 students are enrolled in this class that does not seek to define the comic book or gender roles in comic books, but gets students thinking critically about the subject.

It has been a few years since I’ve been to a classroom for any reason, but I have been enjoying the free iTunes U to learn about some basic computer science. The most convenient part of the iTunesexperience is that I can move along at my own pace and watch videos in my down time. When I had first heard of Christina Blanch’s course at Canvas.Net on John Siuntres’ Word Balloon podcast, I signed up, because I was intrigued by not only the platform but the subject matter. The course is free with open enrollment and students are allowed to join in at any time. The course will be archived on the site and students can go at their own pace. Also, the level of engagement is entirely up to the student.

If you wish to just watch the videos and skip the homework, you can do that, but you won’t get the cool certificate at the end.

[READ MORE at DIGBOSTON.COM]

DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for March 14, 2012

COMICS

Saga debuts this week with a spectacular double-sized issue. Brian K. Vaughn (Lost, Y: The Last Man) returns to comics with breathtaking art from Fiona Staples. Merging sci-fi and fantasy in this epic space opera. Like Star Wars? Duh! This preview is for you! … Queen Crab is an original hardcover from Jimmy Palmiotti about a newlywed Ginger. She is murdered by her husband and tossed overboard on their honeymoon. That’s all before she is rejuvenated by the sea and turns into a crab! … Buffy Season Nine continues with issue #7. Will Buffy settle down for a movie night with Spike? Semi-romantic picks from your pals at LeaguePodcast.com.

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Need some inhuman adrenaline this morning? Check out our #comics column: EARTH PRIME TIME: INTRODUCING THE RED SPIKE SUPER SOLDIERS - INTERVIEW WITH JEFF CAHN .