Image via WikipediaASPIRING travel writerscan try their hand at penning a guidebook in GuideGecko's International Writing Contest. The top three works will be displayed at the Insight Guides booth at the renowned Frankfurt Book Fair from Oct 6 to 10 while the winner gets a free trip to the city to attend the event.
The contest organised by the Singapore-based publishing platform for travel and lifestyle guides is open to casual writers, bloggers and established authors. Submissions, which have to be at least 32-pages long, will be judged by travel writers and editors as well as by online voters. Participation is free, and authors get full royalties and retain their copyrights. The contest ends Sept 15. Check it out at www.GuideGecko.com/writing-contest.
Lifted from TODAY, Travel; source article is below: Got words?
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Lately there was a buzz around one who purchased the very old Superman classic comics for about $1.5m, but I'm sure were not going for that kind. We are from the group who would want a 'sales' as the word means in its simplest form.
So how do we hunt for comics on sale?
Read on...
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Comics Sale - Find Your Favorite Book at a Discount
When going around to the different garage sales I always find that mother, that is sick and tired of her son's stack of comics. Sale of these comic books go on behind their son's back, or while he is out of town.
Some people think this is taken advantage of the sale, since most mothers have no idea the real worth of what she is selling. Yes most of the time you get what you pay for but once in a while there is a gem.
There are always plenty of Mad Magazines and Spiderman, but my favorite is Conan the Barbarian. This comic book lasted for 23 years in its first publication from 1970 to 1993. I was still in grade school when it first came out. It had nothing to do with Arnold Schwarzenegger; this was far before that time. But I found a Conan the Barbarian #195 for 10 cents. It was in very good shape. I thought I found gold, but there are still too many of them around. A mint condition one is only worth $3.00. But for me I still am glad I found it and have kept it.
But comics sale can be found not only in your neighborhood but at the stores and online. For me personally I want to hold it in my hand and judge the condition. Having a stranger judge the condition that they are going to profit from still does not sit right with me. This is one of the things that I do not do online. I will always prefer to rummage through the stacks of comic books and see what I can find.
Comics sale to me is like telling a child you have free candy.
Rare and vintage comic books are one the smartest investments you can make - but more importantly, they are fun to own. Are you ready to buy comic books online? We have the comic books for sale that you have been craving at Comic Book Cravings. Visit us at http://www.comicbookcravings.com/.
Rare comic of Superman debut fetches $1.5 millionBy the CNN Wire Staff
March 30, 2010 7:41 p.m. EDT
(CNN) -- The comic debut of Superman has sold for an out-of-this-world price.
The copy of Action Comics No. 1 from 1938, which features the first appearance of the "Man of Steel" was bought by an undisclosed buyer for a record $1.5 million Monday on the online auction site ComicConnect.com.
"This is the Holy Grail of Holy Grails," said Vincent Zurzolo, co-owner of the Web site.
A copy of the same issue sold for $1 million in February, but this one fetched a higher price because it is in better condition. It was stored inside a movie magazine for the past 50 years, Zurzolo said.
"The book looks like it just came off the presses yesterday," said Zurzolo. "The colors are extremely vivid, the whites behind the 'Action Comics' logo are snow white. It's just a stunning copy -- it almost looks brand new."
The sale of the Superman book marks the third time this year that a record was set for the sale of a comic book. The other copy of "Action Comics" No. 1 held onto its record for only three days before a comic book featuring Batman's debut sold for $75,000 more at an auction in Dallas, Texas.
It's widely believed that there are 50 to 100 copies of Action Comics No. 1 floating around, which makes it exceedingly rare. However, the copy sold Monday has received the highest rating to date from the Certified Guaranty Company, an independent comic grading company in Sarasota, Florida. The company inspects comic books for imperfections, ranging from yellowing to slight creases.
J.C. Vaughn, the associate publisher of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide, an annual publication considered the authority on comic book pricing, said the Action Comic No. 1 book sold Monday is worth every penny.
"The older any comic book gets, obviously the more unlikely you'll find it with a high rating," said Vaughn. "A book this old, featuring Superman's first appearance? I think this book warrants the price."
Back in 1938, there were 200,000 of these first editions printed and 130,000 sold, said Vaughn. The 70,000 other copies were destroyed.
Zurzolo said it could be a while before another comic book sets a new mark, because only a few other comics have this type of value.
"You will see a lot of very high-priced comic books selling in the next few years," he said. "But until these books hit the market again I don't think you'll see the same exact type of numbers in the near future."
ComicConnect wouldn't reveal the buyer of the $1.5 million Superman book.
"Our buyer, much like most of the superheroes out there, has a secret identity and would rather remain that way," Zurzolo said.
However, he added that the customer has a tremendous passion for superhero comic books and is especially fond of Superman.
"Superman was the first superhero," said Zurzolo. "Without Superman there would be no Batman, Spider Man, Wolverine, Wonder Woman -- they all came about because of the immense success of Action Comics and the first appearance of Superman."
Alex Rae, the back issue buyer for Midtown Comics, one of the nation's largest comic book dealers located in New York, said if he had his choice of any comic book in the world, it would be the one just purchased.
"It revolutionized the comic book industry," he said.
Up is one heck of a breathtaking adventure. It's bloody hilarious. It's tenderly moving and thoroughly entertaining. That's amazing, considering it's an animated movie about a grumpy geriatric who hardly says anything and, for the most part, hobbles around.
In a tale that story- and treatment-wise sits closer to Hayao Miyazaki's wonderous Japanese films like Howl's Moving Castle than to any recent Hollywood cartoon flick, old recluse Carl Fredricksen (voiced by the great Ed Asner) and his accidental sidekick - the pudgy, over-eager Asian boy scout Russell - set out to the wilderness of South America in a flying house.
Up is filled with funny scenarios (it's not "ha-ha" funny, but ponder over the image of an old man dragging along a house when you step out of the cinema) and even funnier characters (a female bird named Kevin, a "talking dog" named Dug, and a vicious Doberman who speaks in a voice that's, well, very un-Doberman-like).
There was apprehension about how a cartoon about such a normal, albeit odd, couple would fare with audiences accustomed to more "out there" characters. And, yes, it's true that Up isn't particularly straight-forward children's fare.
But if its predecessor - Pixar's left-of-centre minimalist gem about a rusty robot named Wall*E - proves anything, it's that in the end, a good old-fashioned story will always prove to be a good story.
And in those terms, Up is, you know, right up there with the best of them.
- TODAY/yb
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From ChannelNewsAsia.com; see the source article here.
The Marvel Comics superhero returns for the five-part series Captain America Reborn, beginning July 1.
But Marvel won't disclose how he rises from the dead. Executive editor Tom Brevoort teases that the character has been "on a Vonnegut-esque metaphysical journey", including some soul-searching about his place in the world.
"He hasn't just been lying in a cold grave for these many months," Brevoort says. "While he seems to be dead, his mind and his spirit" are active elsewhere.
Captain America, the superhero alter-ego of Steve Rogers, was apparently shot and killed two years ago on the steps of a courthouse in lower Manhattan. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Rogers' sidekick Bucky Barnes took his place, continuing the series. Brevoort says Barnes will embark on a quest to revive Rogers after tracking down what really happened to him.
"There's definitely a question that must arise, which is "'Can there be more than one Captain America?'" says Brevoort. "And if not, even if there can't, what does this mean for Bucky?"
Captain America Reborn
According to Brevoort, some Bucky fans are none too pleased.
"Right this second, it's kind of a split," he says. "When Steve was first killed, there was a great outcry. But then as Bucky has taken over as Cap, and has sort of struggled to fill those big shoes, a lot of our readers have really taken to him as a character."
He says Marvel planned to bring back Rogers in one shape or form and, given the general mood of the country, the timing seemed right to resurrect one of the comic book empire's most patriotic icons.
"It feels like there's a desire for hopefulness," he says. "A desire for heroes and for somebody to show us that we can be our better selves, and to help pull us all up by our bootstraps and get out of the situations that we find ourselves in." AP
The Marvel Comics superhero returns for the five-part series Captain America Reborn, beginning July 1.
But Marvel won't disclose how he rises from the dead. Executive editor Tom Brevoort teases that the character has been "on a Vonnegut-esque metaphysical journey", including some soul-searching about his place in the world.
"He hasn't just been lying in a cold grave for these many months," Brevoort says. "While he seems to be dead, his mind and his spirit" are active elsewhere.
Captain America, the superhero alter-ego of Steve Rogers, was apparently shot and killed two years ago on the steps of a courthouse in lower Manhattan. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Rogers' sidekick Bucky Barnes took his place, continuing the series. Brevoort says Barnes will embark on a quest to revive Rogers after tracking down what really happened to him.
"There's definitely a question that must arise, which is "'Can there be more than one Captain America?'" says Brevoort. "And if not, even if there can't, what does this mean for Bucky?"
Captain America Reborn
According to Brevoort, some Bucky fans are none too pleased.
"Right this second, it's kind of a split," he says. "When Steve was first killed, there was a great outcry. But then as Bucky has taken over as Cap, and has sort of struggled to fill those big shoes, a lot of our readers have really taken to him as a character."
He says Marvel planned to bring back Rogers in one shape or form and, given the general mood of the country, the timing seemed right to resurrect one of the comic book empire's most patriotic icons.
"It feels like there's a desire for hopefulness," he says. "A desire for heroes and for somebody to show us that we can be our better selves, and to help pull us all up by our bootstraps and get out of the situations that we find ourselves in." AP
SHANGHAI: The Majestic Theatre, a reminder of when Shanghai was enthralled by jazz, Gable and Garbo, stands at the heart of plans to restore the city as a cultural centre by creating a Broadway of the East.
Multi-coloured stars hang from lamp posts in the downtown area around the Majestic -- a district with more than 20 theatres, including other art deco wonders -- announcing it has been re-christened "Drama Valley".
"Our plan is to build a magnificent modern Drama Valley that within 10 years can compete side-by-side with America's Broadway and London's West End," Zhang Rengliang, head of the district government, said at a launching ceremony.
The first 30-play season features a mix of mostly contemporary Chinese drama with Broadway productions added in, such as Andrew Lloyd Weber's "Cats," the light spectacular "Luma" and Disney's "High School Musical".
But the project also faces unique challenges. Shanghai's theatre scene is in the early stages of its development with non-government troupes struggling to find space and funding, and censors controlling what goes on stage.
"Media control remains a top priority in China," said David Bandurski, a researcher at the China Media Project at the University of Hong Kong.
"Obviously that has profound ramifications for anything resembling social and political exploration in Chinese dramas.
"But commercial development, not soul searching, is the major impetus behind China's recent push to revitalize what it calls its cultural industry. This, presumably, is what Shanghai has in mind."
The Jing'an district government has invested an initial 10 million yuan (1.5 million) in the project -- most of it spent on promotion, according to Yang Yong, general manager of the Shanghai Drama Valley Development Company.
That funding will be increased to upgrade theatres, develop original shows and help foster young artists, Yang said.
The government also seeks to offer established artists incentives to set up studios in the district, he said, adding these could include lower rents, tax rebates and other subsidies.
Officials hope a theatre centre can pump money into businesses in the area and have hired Broadway theatre operators Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment to manage the Majestic, help develop shows and act as consultants.
But the project's success will depend heavily on what happens outside the theatre lobbies, said Toby Simkin, a Shanghai-based producer and vice-president for Nederlander Worldwide.
"Everybody in the world wants to create such a thing," Simkin said. "But people often forget Broadway and the West End are not about bricks and mortar and not even about shows.
"Around Times Square, there are 36 theatres but there are also 100 restaurants, 50 different hotels, marquees, neon lights, street peddlers, musicians, naked guitarists," he said. "All of these things create an energy and vitality."
Chinese theatre-goers are the core audience the project needs to attract to succeed, Simkin said.
Shanghai's current theatre scene is in its early stages, said Alison Friedman, the former general manager of composer Tan Dun's production company.
"You see all these seeds that you see everywhere else, it's just on a smaller scale," said Friedman, now a Shanghai-based theatre consultant.
"Instead of the thousand experimental theatre groups that you might find in New York or Chicago, here there will be four."
Encouraging more theatre groups to stage more productions is the only way to develop a world-class theatre scene, said Yang Shaolin, head of the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre.
"We have to produce more plays to ensure high quality. How did Broadway and London's West End become drama centres? They both have massive production environments," said Yang, who is closely involved in the project.
Ma Yue, a young director who recently graduated from the Shanghai Theatre Academy, staged a play this month at the Shanghai Grand Theatre, but had to team up with an old established troupe to get all the necessary permits.
When it comes to censorship, Ma said a script can be approved by the authorities within days if it contains no nude scenes or material considered politically or socially objectionable.
"If the Drama Valley project can boost the number of underground, small-sized theatres or workshops, that would be very good. We really don't need lots of super big theatres," she said.
SHANGHAI: The Majestic Theatre, a reminder of when Shanghai was enthralled by jazz, Gable and Garbo, stands at the heart of plans to restore the city as a cultural centre by creating a Broadway of the East.
Multi-coloured stars hang from lamp posts in the downtown area around the Majestic -- a district with more than 20 theatres, including other art deco wonders -- announcing it has been re-christened "Drama Valley".
"Our plan is to build a magnificent modern Drama Valley that within 10 years can compete side-by-side with America's Broadway and London's West End," Zhang Rengliang, head of the district government, said at a launching ceremony.
The first 30-play season features a mix of mostly contemporary Chinese drama with Broadway productions added in, such as Andrew Lloyd Weber's "Cats," the light spectacular "Luma" and Disney's "High School Musical".
But the project also faces unique challenges. Shanghai's theatre scene is in the early stages of its development with non-government troupes struggling to find space and funding, and censors controlling what goes on stage.
"Media control remains a top priority in China," said David Bandurski, a researcher at the China Media Project at the University of Hong Kong.
"Obviously that has profound ramifications for anything resembling social and political exploration in Chinese dramas.
"But commercial development, not soul searching, is the major impetus behind China's recent push to revitalize what it calls its cultural industry. This, presumably, is what Shanghai has in mind."
The Jing'an district government has invested an initial 10 million yuan (1.5 million) in the project -- most of it spent on promotion, according to Yang Yong, general manager of the Shanghai Drama Valley Development Company.
That funding will be increased to upgrade theatres, develop original shows and help foster young artists, Yang said.
The government also seeks to offer established artists incentives to set up studios in the district, he said, adding these could include lower rents, tax rebates and other subsidies.
Officials hope a theatre centre can pump money into businesses in the area and have hired Broadway theatre operators Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment to manage the Majestic, help develop shows and act as consultants.
But the project's success will depend heavily on what happens outside the theatre lobbies, said Toby Simkin, a Shanghai-based producer and vice-president for Nederlander Worldwide.
"Everybody in the world wants to create such a thing," Simkin said. "But people often forget Broadway and the West End are not about bricks and mortar and not even about shows.
"Around Times Square, there are 36 theatres but there are also 100 restaurants, 50 different hotels, marquees, neon lights, street peddlers, musicians, naked guitarists," he said. "All of these things create an energy and vitality."
Chinese theatre-goers are the core audience the project needs to attract to succeed, Simkin said.
Shanghai's current theatre scene is in its early stages, said Alison Friedman, the former general manager of composer Tan Dun's production company.
"You see all these seeds that you see everywhere else, it's just on a smaller scale," said Friedman, now a Shanghai-based theatre consultant.
"Instead of the thousand experimental theatre groups that you might find in New York or Chicago, here there will be four."
Encouraging more theatre groups to stage more productions is the only way to develop a world-class theatre scene, said Yang Shaolin, head of the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre.
"We have to produce more plays to ensure high quality. How did Broadway and London's West End become drama centres? They both have massive production environments," said Yang, who is closely involved in the project.
Ma Yue, a young director who recently graduated from the Shanghai Theatre Academy, staged a play this month at the Shanghai Grand Theatre, but had to team up with an old established troupe to get all the necessary permits.
When it comes to censorship, Ma said a script can be approved by the authorities within days if it contains no nude scenes or material considered politically or socially objectionable.
"If the Drama Valley project can boost the number of underground, small-sized theatres or workshops, that would be very good. We really don't need lots of super big theatres," she said.
A Frenchskyscraper climber nicknamed 'Spiderman' was arrested yesterday after scaling a 41-storey building in downtown Sydney with his bare hands. About 200 people watched as Mr Alain Robert, known for scaling some of the world's tallest and most famous buildings without ropes or other equipment, climbed to the top of the Royal Bank of Scotland Tower. Police closed off a section of the street below, causing gridlock. The crowd cheered as Mr Robert reached the top. He then climbed back down, where officers arrested him. AP
A Frenchskyscraper climber nicknamed 'Spiderman' was arrested yesterday after scaling a 41-storey building in downtown Sydney with his bare hands. About 200 people watched as Mr Alain Robert, known for scaling some of the world's tallest and most famous buildings without ropes or other equipment, climbed to the top of the Royal Bank of Scotland Tower. Police closed off a section of the street below, causing gridlock. The crowd cheered as Mr Robert reached the top. He then climbed back down, where officers arrested him. AP
Image via WikipediaASPIRING travel writers can try their hand at penning a guidebook in GuideGecko's International Writing Contest. The top three works will be displayed at the Insight Guides booth at the renowned Frankfurt Book Fair from Oct 6 to 10 while the winner gets a free trip to the city to attend the event.
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