Our article on DC's new Smallville figures noted that DC announced that its figures would be released to pop culture stores at the same time as they are released in other channels. That brought this reaction from Jerry Ringi of Amazing Fantasy Comics and Cards in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Marvel was the only major comic publisher with U.S. direct market growth in 2001, according to our analysis of circulation and dollar data from the last two years.

Marvel's new hardcover program continues to draw retailer response. Here's a different take from a retailer who's more concerned about production quality than price -- Terry Allen of Bonanza Books and Comics in Modesto, California.

Marvel's new hardcover program continues to draw retailer response. Here, Tricia Hovorka of TalesofWonder.com carries on her ongoing dialogue with Ilan Strasser of Fat Moose Comics and Games.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the Fox Network has canceled the live action ' Tick ' series.

With comics- and fantasy-based movies at a peak of popularity in Tinseltown, it is only fitting that comic artist extraordinaire Alex Ross ( Kingdom Come ) was chosen to create a poster for the Motion Picture Academy's annual self-congratulatory awards ceremony.

In response to Precedence Entertainment offering single 'rare' cards from its Rifts CCG to consumers, over thirty retailers affixed their names to this letter protesting the practice.

This month Diamond's parade of Japanese imports continues with a number of spectacular releases that tie in to major events in the U.S. toy and anime markets, along with the first series of toys from a cutting edge anime series by the studio that produced the mega-hit Neon Genesis Evangelion .

In addition to the comic art calendars featuring work by U.S. based artists, Tide-Mark has two other offerings that should be of major interest to pop culture retailers.

For 2003 Tide-Mark has stepped to the plate and acquired a number of key titles based on properties published by Dark Horse and Image Comics.