We are excited to announce that ex-Disney artist Eddie Pittman is joining WishTales. We will be adding Eddie’s excellent all-ages graphic novel “Red’s Planet” to our roster.

For those of you who don’t know, Eddie began his animation career with Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida, where he worked on such films as Mulan, Tarzan, Fantasia 2000, The Emperor’s New Groove and Lilo & Stitch. He currently resides in Orlando Florida where he provides a variety of services including storyboard and illustration work.

His graphic novel Pittman’s “Red’s Planet” is the story of Red, a 10-year old girl who after running away from her foster home is mistakenly kidnapped by aliens. She soon finds herself across the galaxy and marooned on a deserted planet with an eclectic group of castaways who are much worse than her foster family. If you haven’t seen it yet, you really owe it to yourself to see it. The art is gorgeous, the writing is excellent, and the whole property has charm for days.

Stay tuned to this space for more news about Eddie and Red’s Planet!

People do such clever things with books. Japanese Art Director MASASHI KAWAMURA produced this very clever flipbook that, rather than producing animation, produces a virtual rainbow in your hand.

One of the main reasons I draw comics today is Calvin and Hobbes. In fact, I believe if it weren’t for Bill Watterson, I would have gone into animation, or even music. Comics were about the furthest thing from my mind, but C&H struck something with me, lingered in the back of my mind, and like a siren’s song has lured me back time and time again to comics.

To say Watterson is media-shy is to say Michael Phelps does OK in the water, or that Lady Gaga is a little different. I wonder if part of my fascination with Bill is that he has been so rarely interviewed? Maybe I value every nugget of information he gives out simply because he gives out so few. Well, in today’s Cleveland.com, there’s a nice little interview with Watterson, commemorating 15 years since Calvin and Hobbes left the newspapers.

NOTE: Some folks have found that page empty. You’ll need to register for a free account at the site in order to read the interview.

Brock Heasley has done up this really groovy promo teaser for his upcoming season of SuperFogeys. Click the image for a bigger version, and of course check out SuperFogeys.com for the latest and also greatest SuperFogeys information.

I’m starting to feel like if a Suit tells you not to do something, that’s a sure sign you SHOULD do whatever it is. Just do the opposite, and you’ll be fine.

At Ken Levine’s blog today is the story of the Charlie Brown Christmas special. Did you know at first CBS hated this thing? They thought the jazz score was inappropriate for children. They thought the whole thing was too depressing, and just WHAT was that bit about Linus and all the Jesus stuff!? In a CHRISTMAS SPECIAL?

Somehow it got on the air and was a HIT. It played year after year – with CBS taking credit for this great piece of holiday entertainment, of course -  and CBS learned a very important lesson that they immediately forgot: that the executives don’t always know everything.

Maybe you can learn from this lesson, eh? Next time a suit gives you notes you disagree with, think of John Allen and Bill Meléndez. Somebody has to stick to their guns. What better time than when you’re right?

The excellent Tom Racine, who I think has the Best Radio Voice Not on the Radio, had Tom and me on his latest Tall Tale Radio podcast for a short interview about this here WishTales site.

If you want to hear a bit more about what Tom and I are trying to do, and why, tune in. We’re the last 15 minutes, but don’t skip the first hour, as it’s great stuff with “SuperFogeys” creator Brock Heasley and Wes Molebash of “You’ll Have That”. Good stuff, and we’re thankful that Mr. Racine could make room for us in his ungodly busy schedule.

Daniel Davis is having a book drive for his Monster Commute traffic novel. He’s offering some really nice incentives, with a goal of funding his book project to the tune of $5000. One wealthy contributor could even get a visit from the man himself, which would be a fun extra. Hang out, draw comics, talk Monster Commute…

I find his Book Drive approach interesting. It’s part pre-order, part Kickstart fundraiser, part NPR membership drive. What do you think about it?

Publisher’s Weekly has the right idea. Authors need to see themselves as artists, publishers no longer offer the sorts of long-term relationships that used to make them attractive and useful, and when it comes to marketing, Every Man is For Himself. Also, get yourself camera ready, because it’s time to talk to your fans. Read more here.

WishTales is pleased to welcome Steve Ogden’s Croaker’s Gorge into the fold. There will be a Croaker’s Gorge collection, complete with some new stories, in summer 2010.

Perhaps not so surprisingly, the first two properties we’ll be representing at WishTales are Tom Dell’Aringa’s Marooned, and Steve Ogden’s Moon Town. We’ll be releasing the first Marooned collection in November, and the first issue of Moon Town will come out in early 2010. Be sure to stay tuned to WishTales for the latest information!