Fantasy Theater

Sylv and Larime are a couple of good folks and outstanding artists. Sylv could really use some help paying for her cancer treatments. Please spread the word, and give if you can:

https://www.gofundme.com/ps6erqqm

Here's a chance to get a boatload of digital comics for next-to-nothin' (including books by Gail Simone, Warren Ellis, Alex Ross, and other top talents). Plus, you'll be benefiting the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. It's a win-win.

https://groupees.com/dynamite1

Patty Cryan runs a successful bookstore that's been growing every year. But a temporary setback (involving healthcare, naturally) is threatening her solvency, and she could use a little help getting over the hump. Pitch in if you can:

http://igg.me/p/my-bookstore-needs-your-help/x/3572698

This made me smile and pissed me off at the same time:


http://youtu.be/s4Rjy5yW1gQ

For crying out loud. How is this even an issue? Us geeks are supposed to be the *smart*, *broad-minded* ones. What kind of heart-three-sizes-too-small Grinch do you have to be to view the influx of women into fandom as anything but awesome? Glad to see women *and* men making some noise about this issue, though.

I'm a big fan of Christine Smith's comics "Eve's Apple" and "The Princess". Her latest project is "Pay It No Mind!", which she describes as "a webcomic history of gender outsiders", and it looks like another winner. Check it out:

http://payitnomind.org/

If you pay any attention to the comics industry, you've probably heard that DC Comics is publishing a new Superman comic featuring work by sci-fi author and notorious anti-gay-rights activist Orson Scott Card. Needless to say, there's been considerable backlash, with calls for boycotts and several comics shops refusing to carry the book. I understand and sympathize with that point of view, even if I can't fully agree with it.

To be clear: Orson Scott Card is a vile excuse for a human being, and I wouldn't piss on him if he was on fire. And I certainly have no intention of buying this book, or anything else Card works on. But any time people start organizing in an attempt to suppress speech -- even the most disgusting, hateful speech -- I get nervous. I'm a firm believer in the principle that "the solution to bad speech is more speech". Card gets to spew his horrifying bullshit, and I get to call him an asshole. God bless America.

Still, it's distressing to think of this guy using Superman money to fund his evil agenda. The folks at Chicago's "Challengers Comics + Conversation" shop have come up with, I think, a rather elegant solution: They're donating 100% of their profits on this book to the Human Rights Campaign. More details here:

http://challengerscomics.tumblr.com/post/43176937330/all-things-being-equal

I especially like this bit: "Our profits per book are more than his royalties per book, so, like, double f**k him".

Indeed.

Freelancers who were in the path of Hurricane Sandy, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits:

http://occupywallstreet.net/story/freelancers-can-apply-hurricane-sandy-unemployment-benefits

The saddest thing you'll read all day. Prolific comicbook writer Bill Mantlo, severely injured by a hit-and-run driver, and his family's struggle to take care of him:

http://www.lifehealthpro.com/2011/11/07/tragic-tale

Rachel Nabors crowhen is auctioning off an impressive all-star sketchbook to help pay for her jaw surgery:

http://crowhen.livejournal.com/209959.html

Help out if you can.

Just a reminder, Lisa Jonte could still use some help getting through a financial crunch:

http://arcana-j.livejournal.com/400958.html

And while you're at it, you can help out Dave Cockrum's widow Paty by buying some of his comics collection:

http://thecliffordmethod.blogspot.com/2009/10/dave-cockrums-garage-sale.html