Tag: Comic Books

US Tariff Strikes Again: Now Even Your Fandom Purchases From Afar Comes With Baggage

The US tariff isn’t just hurting American fans—it’s setting a trend. Countries like Canada, Japan, and the U.K. may soon follow, making global fandom a lot more expensive.

us tariff pac-man is evilIntro:
How US Tariff Changes Are Hurting Fandoms

Collectors of imported goods are being forced to swallow a bitter pill. While scrolling social media late one night, I saw a post: “Had someone cancel a $1,000 order on eBay today due to a ‘tariff tax.’ Is that a thing now?” (image posted below). Curious, I checked the responses and did further research. From Cbc.ca, an executive order from the White House now requires all shipments under $800 to be taxed, effectively killing the de minimis exemption that once allowed low-value imports duty-free. What seems like a simple policy shift could become one of the biggest shakeups fandom collectors have faced in years.

As bad as this is for U.S. buyers, the ripple effects could be worse. If Canada adopts a matching policy, then incoming shipments from the U.S. could be hit too. Thankfully, in-store purchases remain unaffected—but for online shoppers, it feels like being stomped by Godzilla.

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With Nib + Ink Fest 2025, It’s Not Too Late To Participate!

Independent artists who love drawing have a new event to showcase their work at Nib + Ink Fest 2025.

Nib + Ink Fest It’s not too late to enjoy the online Nib + Ink Fest 2025! This virtual event offers to fans of sequential art an exposure to talents around the country, if not the world. And there’s even a marketplace to support these new up and comers in the indie / web-comic scene. This month-long event offers 145+ comics to consider and there’s ten days left.

Based on what I’ve checked out so far looks promising. It’s like going to a local comic arts festival. The only difference with this one is that there are no limits to who can exhibit, and what this event promises is more independence in the art scene. Besides offering newcomers a chance to review their portfolios with representatives online, there are also workshops to take part in. All attendees need is a microphone and webcam to fully take part.

From the Press Release:

The inaugural Nib + Ink Fest of 2025 is a collaborative effort of volunteers from several teams from the NIF Committee of the Cartoonist Cooperative, working in partnership with multiple Co-op committees and our Co-op membership to bring you this month-long, online comics event. This event wouldn’t be what it is without the unique sets of strengths and skills that each of our contributors brings to the committee and the many hours of work they put in to bring it to life.

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Star Wars Day in 2025 And Why It Remains Special To Me

On Star Wars Day, each fan will enjoy May The Fourth in their own way. It doesn’t have to be a commercialised affair.

Star Wars Day LOGOThis year, what I offer is a retrospective on what I enjoyed about Star Wars rather than look at the commercialization of the date. I have no interest in picking up new merchandise because I have everything I want. With four lightsabers in my man cave, I think that should be enough.

Every time this annual event comes up, I’ll look and to be honest, the discounts are not very good. Also, the products produced are more focussed on recent releases rather than old. I want more recognition for Episodes IV to VI.

The best spinoffs and expanded content from the Star Wars universe will always be with the original releases. Whether that’s with the early Marvel Comics series or Dark Horse, the comic book medium embraced giving fans what they enjoyed faster than any other platform. No one wants to admit a certain holiday special remains partially canon. While Life Day is more prominent in the Disney-ification of the Lucasfilm content, none of the original considered this holiday as essential material.

For me, my enjoyment started with:

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If You Love Asian Comics: Evolution of an Art Form is an Exhibit You Must See!

Throughout most of Asia, the love for comic books is all over, and just what’s presented at Asian Comics: Evolution of an Art Form is certainly worth studying!

Asian Comics- Evolution of an Art FormRuns until January 4, 2026

One week following the opening of Asian Comics: Evolution of an Art Form at the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle, the excitement is in the air. This showcase of over 400 works from all over Asia even has me wanting to pick up the pencil again and try drawing! While I’m nowhere as talented as the artists on display, just what’s shown traces how this style from this world developed.

It’s not just about manga, but also manhua (the Chinese version) and whatever name it goes by in other countries like Malaysia too. Here, visitors will find works from creators like Osamu Tezuka, Zao Dao, Hur Young Man, and Lat. The gallery also features under-represented artists such as Abhishek Singh and Miki Yamamoto.

This travelling exhibit is making a lengthy stop at Emerald City and there’s no official word yet if it’ll hit Canada too. Some people may not want to cross the border to check out this show, but I say it’s worth the expense. While some of the earliest representations were wall scroll paintings, much has since changed.

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Mad Cave Studios’ The Dark Pyramid Promises To Be Action-Packed! An Interview with Paul Tobin and PJ Holden.

The perfect combination of pulse-pounding adventure, chilling horror, and high-stakes mystery, The Dark Pyramid will take readers deep beneath Alaska’s Mt. Denali, where secrets as old as time threaten to change the world forever!

The Dark Pyramid 1 - Cover AMad Cave Studios
Release Date: March 12

Not to be confused with The Black Pyramid of King Amenemhat III of Egypt, Mad Cave Studios has their own ideas regarding The Dark Pyramid that’s in Alaska. Writer Paul Tobin said his boss, editor Mike Marts, came up with the idea and he filled in all the blanks. Unlike other takes, instead of exploring the conspiracy, he had better ideas. And when he partnered up with P.J. Holden, their second collaborative work together, what they fashioned will surprise readers.

This comic book miniseries will hit shelves March 2, and I spoke to them to learn more about this series. I’ve been keeping track of nearly every bit of lore regarding this mystery, and the fact other authors want to take a stab at the strange goings-on got my attention. But first, I asked about why they love writing/drawing for comics.

The Dark Pyramid - Paul Tobin
Paul Tobin (writer)

PT: Because my grandmother bought piles she got from garage sales and random buys. I’d always be digging through them to read whatever’s there. The stuff which stood out was old westerns, Tweety & Sylvester and some superhero stuff.

PJ: I remember the first time I saw a comic, it was a sort of love at first sight. I was a very reluctant reader, and it all changed one night, when the weather was bad outside, and there was this bunch in front of me. They were UK comics–Warlord, some Marvels and the like. I also remember finding a stash in a bin–I remember one had a picture of Thanos.

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Gatchaman at Mad Cave Studios. The Story So Far…

Fans of Gatchaman (not Battle of the Planets) will love everything that’s being developed to bring this original sentai team to the modern audiences! And what I offer is summary of what has transpired since the comic book’s launch mid last year!

Gatchaman Volume One Trade Paperback Cover
Available to purchase on Amazon USA

Ever since Gatchaman returned to the anime fandom’s radar, I’ve been paying attention. Not only did I want to remind myself of what went on in the animated front before touching the comic book continuation, but also my love for this Space Ninja Team got reignited. Who knows, maybe I can find a model of the God Phoenix at a reasonable price.

The first trade paperback collecting the first six issues is out (Amazon link), and although that did not include the one-shots, that’s okay. I flipped to the back and found out that it will be released later this year. This publisher has been steadily releasing individual issues every month, and what I offer is a quick recap, information about upcoming releases, and/or a review. Spoilers are ahead.

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